Brown Girl Excursions

Life Living Me

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:41:00 +0000

Time for me to get back to my blog. It has been too long of a stretch. Life has been happening and I've been running non-stop trying to keep up with it. I'm not sure that's the way it should be unfolding-- my life that is. Living life vs. life living you. Hmmmmm. I've got to think about this.

Peace,

Time Changes

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Sun, 31 May 2009 13:12:00 +0000

Life has been moving. The seasons have changed and it is finally summer, summer, summertime in Atlanta. People everywhere enjoying the sun and more beautifully enjoying each other.

The Festival is around the corner and is in one major state of transition right now. Executive Producer Stephanie Hughley is moving on to a position at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Yaay for her. New CEO & Executive Producer Neil Barclay from the August Wilson Center for African American Culture in Pittsburgh heads to Atlanta to take the seat.

This is a major change for the institution and I am excited about the new possibilities.

In other news, I'm working really hard on balance. Trying not to work all of the time. Although it seems to the outside eye that I AM working all of the time, the reality is that I have been taking time out to play. I'm not 100% yet, but I am so trying and that is what really counts.

I just wanted to drop a quick post to let you know that I'm still alive and kicking. Time keeps on moving and shifting our collective and individual Universes. I'm really busy living right now and life is good.

Oh, and still no love of my life but he's on his way. There is a vibration on the horizon. Reality is that if he showed up today I wouldn't recognize him. I've got too much going on. My day to day is filled with my NOW. The changes I'm putting in place within my own life, work, family, friends and clearing out residue that takes up space. I am unprepared and not expecting the love of my life to show up just yet. Hopefully I would have worked it out by this time next year so that I at least recognize him when he makes an appearance and can flash a smile and some dimples.

Live, Love, Laugh-

Tick Tock

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:23:00 +0000

Wow! It's already March! Where have the last two months gone? Time is fleeting and waits for no one. We are reminded by the changing moon, planetary configurations and shifting seasons that time is constantly on the move. What are you doing with your time?How are you spending it?

My birthday is March 13th. I will be 42 years old. Wow. 42. Get out of here. LOL. I'm assessing and reflecting. Asking questions about various aspects of my life. I'm not feeling the answers to a few of the questions. I've gotta do better. I also notice that at moments I am running with time on my side, then one day time is running in front of me. Sometimes it even sneaks up up on me. And that is never good.

I will be reflecting on 42 years between now and then. For those of you who have been a part of the ride.... thanks. It's been an amazing journey so far. I am encouraged by time. When I am in sync with it I clearly hear and feel the divine pushing me to seek out the extraordinary and steer clear of the mundane. 42 is my changing up the game moment. I look forward to what NEXT has in store for me.

Peace,

Whoooo!!! What A Ride!!!

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 03:20:00 +0000

Thank you all for your responses, both written and scratched into the side of my car (kidding). I appreciate you participating in the dialogue and am glad that so many of you are moving this conversation forward. A special shout out to Mrs. Slater, my high school English teacher who claims the Transgenerational title and corrected a grammatical error in the title of my last post. She simply wrote... It's Lying not Laying. I love and appreciate her. LOL. Thanks Mrs. Slater. My friend Amy Knapp took a few days to process the subject matter of Boomers, Xers and Gen-Y. She offers great insight and good solutions. I encourage you to continue engaging others in conversation around this topic.

Amy's Response:

I went round and round on this, thinking of it from my own work experiences, to a business/economic/political viewpoint and every other which way. I've settled on just making some few next comments to play the conversation forward. As the financial picture remains bleak, the Wall Street Journal talks about 80 year-olds in the workplace and the demographers point out that the centennials (yes! people 100 or older) is the fastest growing population cohort, it does seem that multi-generational misunderstanding and conflict will be a constant in our workplaces going forward.

I know you heard from plenty of Boomers who pointed out that they need to work not just for personal fulfillment (which they could theoretically find many outlets for) but also for financial reasons—and I know you respect that, especially since you X’ers and Y’ers will end up supporting us through increased taxes if we don’t earn our own way. But organizational vitality is a real issue, multi-generational workplaces are challenging and human potential is precious. There is a lot of conversation about integrity/compliance/transparency/regulation in the air right now, but just as importantly for the economy to flourish, we need to practice meritocracy more consistently in the workplace. Meritocracy implies competition and competition implies winners and losers, however we spin it. Meritocracy is the only way to end workplace discrimination (and discrimination is ultimately the waste of human potential) and it is a critical part of improving business or organizational performance in support of a healthy economy and free society.

So, if you think you are better qualified to take the lead than your Boomer boss or your Boomer board—you need to compete for the right to step up. I’m suggesting more than just doing your job well, you need to actively work for the job you want, even if it means that in the pursuit of your dream and through an honest contest to lead, you push someone aside. I have all kinds of career advice on this—having been both victor and vanquished in my 30 years in corporate America, including many years at the levels where this is a blood sport. I don’t think this culling of the heard needs to be ruthlessly Darwinian if we think about organizations and human potential differently. I believe there is a natural tipping point where most people evolve from wanting to learn and master and get gold stars for our personal achievement (even as we’re wise or graceful enough to acknowledge the team) to wanting to teach and to leave a legacy as a part of a team with a record of achievement.

We need to find ways to mainstream, institutionalize and respect training and talent development. Like, what if there were CEO/Executive Director Emeritus roles that were half the pay, full benefits, off to the side in terms of line responsibilities, but active and respected contributors in some defined and meaningful way—constituency relations, strategic planning, Gen Z talent development, whatever. I don't have a "put so and so out to pasture gracefully" notion, I have a let's capitalize on what so and so is best at, limit him/her to that and let a new leader step forward.

Career pathing has always sort of ended at the zenith with a fantasy retirement party and gold watch. For all kinds of reasons that model is dead. We need a new model where people are in the right place for them and for the organization. Similarly, we need to find ways to bring fresh and multiple perspectives to the table and not let the human assets of any organization be under-utilized. Like, what if you took your most talented Gen Z employees and invited them to the Board strategic planning retreat or what if some big important project had different levels of staff assigned to it. We need to mix it up. If we think of our organizations as other than hierarchical pyramids, we can find ways of using people of whatever age who bring the right perspective/experience for the task at hand.

Anyway, Le, I just need to thank you for all the thought you give the world around you and for prompting the rest of us to reflect, too!

Amy

The Messenger Has Been Shot & Is Lying On The Side Of The Road Bleeding

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 03:49:00 +0000

My last two posts hit some nerves. My Mama called. My boss said that she wanted to respond in writing. I have recieved emails from Boomers and Xers. Both groups have quite a bit to say on this topic. And for the record... to my Gen X peeps... I didn't apologize for what I said in the original post. I apologized for the tone I took and in doing so acknowledged that truth is relative. Our truth and Boomer defined truth is different. Our experiences are different and the way we see the world is DIFFERENT and vice versa. Where is the middle ground? Especially in the workplace.

I posted a few comments from readers for you to marinate on. Let the dialogue begin...

Bummer! I do think you and a very few are the exception to the rule for your generation. Remember us Boomers no longer have a retirement plan because we helped Gen Y get through college without schools loans because we have them, we also, help purchase that first house that was way unaffordable because gen y started pouting, remember we lived and SHARED apartments first. We had talent, hands on experience (from working since we were 14) and education. Gen x/y didn’t work through high school, they did sports; quit because they didn’t like their bosses; and moved back home to live off the fat of the land. - Baby Boomer

LOL...Hey Leatrice, I can't say I fully agree, but I did find it very entertaining! My Dad is probably one of the Boomers you are talking about though.....lolol - Gen Xer

You are so right on. And you may be interested to know that I am doing research on this topic right now. I want to interview you. Much is made of the "leadership crisis" in the arts, but the only crisis is the unwillingness of the previous generation to pass the torch. Epidemic at those organizations started by a group of friends around a social goal - they refuse to "business up", even after 40 years. The leadership group acts like a cabal. In many, many cases I see baby boom-age leaders completely unable to embrace technology, even though that is the way 90% of audiences gather information about programs and events, and communicate with one another. Maybe we can do a round table at the next Arts in Tech? Put a group of people together. - Gen Xer

Well the economy certainly has changed all the rules on this one. We will be working way too long as we see the error of our ways way too late. Employers are no longer tolerating outburst in the workplace by gen x and gen y because now they can hire boomers! Every surviving species adapts to their environment or dies. You can survive, thrive and reach the top, hire who you want because you will adapt until you’re in charge. Another rant, can you see I work with scores of Gen x and gen Y and they all think I should be as kind as their mothers. Wrong. Get a grip, I’m working two full time jobs. Quit whining. - Baby Boomer

Amen Leatrice!! I feel you to the 5th power on this! I have to train Boomers on new technology, and after my class, most times I want to go smoke a cigarette and drink some brown liquor - I don't do either of those, so I just cuss (not curse) up a storm with one of my friends that loves to hear my stories about these Boomers! Thank you so much! I needed this today! - Gen Xer

I loved your rant. As a Jones Boomer (who knew?) I think it is the start of an important, necessary and provocative conversation. I've just got to get my thoughts together, but I say don't apologize. There are hard issues and people need to deal, not get sensitive and defensive. I'm getting my thoughts together for you, girl. I need you to succeed so you can pay for my social security. LOL. - Baby Boomer

Hey Le- You are a true Gen-Xer because one quality we have is speaking the truth no matter how harsh. I just shared your blogposts with my pre-boomer war baby mother(born 1942). We were cracking up together and amazed at your ability to express so much in two short posts. The true genius of a gifted writer. Kudos my sista! Keep it up and we'll keep reading. - Gen Xer

Leatrice - You cop'd out man!! You should've expected the retaliation when you wrote the blog. That's like Jay Z and Nas apologizing for their battle. I thought you were reppin' for the X'ers man. Don't pull a gun if you ain't go shoot ;)

- Gen Xer

I notice that my friends without children are retiring at 55. Those with children (adult or younger) don’t even have a date. They are having a difficult time seeing how to pay off all the bills without their 401K as backup. Some have loss their job already and some already retired are bailing out their children, to keep them afloat. Ask around to see if this observation is a universal truth. All three of my bosses who are Boomers are my age and are going to work another 7 – 10 years because of college for their children. Years ago several of my older bosses would not go! Coming to work was their hobby! They died out since having a healthy lifestyle was not on their agenda. Hence the new three bosses who will work until death to pay bills. So all in all each generation has a problem. Some self inflicted and some imposed. I now consider the boomers the squeeze generation; we must take care of our parents and deal with our children. Oh, that is a whole new topic! On a personal note, I am an artist, but my degree is in Chemical Engineering. I work full time in both. Being an engineer keeps the roof over my head and retired at 55. Being an artist keeps me sane. - Baby Boomer

Peace - Le

Apology to the Baby Boomers --- Sorry

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 04:44:00 +0000

Need I say the Boomer Post didn't go over too well with BOOMERS. I have been getting hate mail all day long. LOL. Actually they make pretty accurate points about why they will continue to work until they stroke out and why we (Xers and Gen-Yers) need to stop whining and get over it. The feedback from Xers and Gen Y was "thank you for saying it"... "may the Church say Amen" and similar verbal high fives.

The Boomer disgust with my post was pretty strong, but in hindsight I guess the post was pretty strong. (Insert "sorry" here.) I could write a list of what I did not mean and what I meant, but if nothing else I am more sure than ever that there needs to be a forum to discuss what steps should be taken to ensure Gen-X participation and growth in the workplace in terms of organization and corporate leadership. I understand the reasons that Boomers must continue to work. I promise I do. They are taking care of their children, spouses, parents, grandchildren; rebuilding after losing 401K's, homes and jobs; overextended, paying college tuitions and of course they like going to the office every day because they are still a healthy bunch and what else would they do. Golf?

Are we the whining, slacking, living at home, video game playing idiots that the Boomers think we are? I personally don't think so. (Note: by the way most Boomer responders actually admitted that I am an exception to the rule. LOL.) I know some slackers, but for the most part all of my friends and associates are amazing. The grind is a way of life for us.

So what's the deal? In the words of Stevie Wonder, a favorite Boomer of mine. Everything Must Change... Nothing Stays The Same. As a result of this shift, a new dynamic could be evolving. If I know my fellow Xers they are not going to wait around forever. They will inevitably leave the workforce all together and go do something that makes sense for them, their families, skill sets and peace of mind. Xers will do something meaningful that changes the world as we know it. Yes, we are THAT generation and change, while painful is inevitable.

Peace,

Dear Baby Boomers: I Have A Beef

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 03:43:00 +0000

Before I start this post let me say for the record that I love Baby Boomers. Some of my absolute favorite people in the world are Boomers. However I've been Boomer challenged lately. I've had to go and do some research to understand what the hell is going on and how to combat my current case of the Baby Boomer Blues.

In case you are not hip to the way generational demographics are broken down, let me briefly fill you in. Baby Boomers were born between 1946 and 1964. The younger Boomers, born 1954-1964, are referred to as Generation Jones as their cultural characteristics vary slightly. On the heels of the Boomers is Generation X (that's me), born 1965-1976. Following the Xers are the Millennials or Generation Y, born 1977-1998. The generation born after 1998 has not officially been named yet, but early forecasts include Generation Z (how original), the Internet Generation and Generation Now. They all suck. I hope they get a decent name before it's all said and done.

At any rate, each of the generations have characteristics that are used to describe that generation. Boomers are self centered and KNOW IT ALL (insert scream here)... Xers hate rules and will tell you... Millennials are demanding and entitled. Toss this mix into the workplace and what do you get? Crazy frustration, communication breakdowns, soliloquies and blog posts like this one.

At any given gathering where food and alcohol are present, my fellow professional Gen X friends and I often sit around on our pragmatic, diversity embracing, individualistic, friend loving, self-reliant, rule bending butts and wonder aloud when our Boomer bosses are going to retire... move on... go enjoy their golden years. After reading the COVER STORIES, watching the BOOMER TV SPECIALS and DOCUMENTARIES and knowing them as I do, the answer to our question is NEVER! Boomers will not move on. They will not retire. Will not pass go. And will die in their current positions (as our bosses) at the ripe old age of 75 or 80. (Insert another scream here). They have broken all of the rules and because they run the world... they are getting away with it. Will future anthropologists, historians and sociologists be kind to the Boomers or will they call it as they see it? That has yet to be seen.

In the meantime, what is the Gen Xer to do? We don't want to squander our most progressive professional years. We want to be free of the Boomer run regimes to be able to breathe and be on our our grind like we are anyway. We can always go and start our own thing as Boomers are quick to tell us. But since Boomers have jacked up the economy the opportunity to even get money from banks to start a business is slim to none.

Dear Baby Boomer: Is it too much for us to ask you to respect our grind and/or our serious knowledge base? We don't think we are better than you or know more than you Boomer (although we got you on the technology thing. Note: Please learn how to use email), we are simply DIFFERENT. We tick differently. We see the world differently. Different is good. Different is progressive. Different is relevant. Gen-X/Gen-Y Different, coupled with a tad bit of Boomer wisdom and experience can take us all to another level.

Okay... rant over.

Peace,

Early Morning Ruminations!

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:29:00 +0000

Another sleepless night. Up since 2:30 AM. I watched CNN for a while, played a game on my iPhone, changed my status on my Facebook page and sent out a tweet on Twitter. Did that for about 1 1/2 hours. I spent the rest of my early morning listening to God. I have been given a heart for people, the spirit of a warrior and amazing vision. Sometimes those gifts are incongruent with one another and often not in sync with the rest of the world. Being the lone voice in the midst of noise is challenging. No one listens... Noah tried to get the people to listen. We all know how that story ended.

5 AM Stream of Unconsciousness

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:01:00 +0000

I went to sleep early last night. In bed by 10:30. I got up at 3:30 AM. Now it's 5 AM. And I mention that I am wide awake. I logged onto Facebook to see what I've missed and ended up talking to my girlfriend Halima Taha (author of Collecting African American Art: Works on Canvas and Paper) who got up to get a blanket and noticed that I was online. If you knew Halima you would know how crazy that is. She was never the online kinda chick. She blames me. LOL. I chatted with my boy Mike Moss who was up and online at 3:30 for some reason. He and I did a checklist for tomorrow and he went to bed. I chatted with a few folks on Twitter about Dick Armey being a "dick" for this performance on Hard Ball with Chris Matthews.

There is a shift going on in my world right now. I'm not exactly sure what it is but I can feel it. You know how Wonder Woman used to hit the spin and when she stopped she was in full wardrobe, hair down and silver bracelets ready to stop speeding bullets? THAT is how I'm feeling right now. I wrote on my Facebook page that I am Storm, Wonder Woman, Super Girl, Foxy Brown and Cleopatra Jones rolled up in one. I can't explain the genesis of this moment nor do I know what the end game is, but it feels good. It could be as simple as once you face the realities of your life, you are forced to make decisions. Or maybe when you can see who you are you make decisions based on that information. Bottom line is that nothing is more liberating than being clear and making good old fashioned decisions.

In this new space I am realizing that I am not as flexible about things as I once was. I am actually drawing a line in the sand about some things and making hard decisions about people in my life, my work life, my future (as I see it in my crystal ball of course) and my responsibilities to the world. With each passing day I am becoming clearer about where I stand in relation to that line.

Lessons learned the hard way include 1) People will drain you if you allow them to. So don't!! 2) Work will kill you if you let it (and they will replace you in a heartbeat once you are gone). So put it in perspective. Work hard, but play harder. 3) We have no idea what will happen in the next five minutes so let it go. All we can do is prepare. 4) Don't let people divert you from your path. That will make two of you wandering in the darkness. They might not even realize that they are in darkness, but you will. Give them a compass and get your butt back on track.

I'm turning in now. Going to see Jazz@Lincoln Center perform tomorrow and Wynton (Marsalis) is stopping by our Commissioning guild dinner. I have remarks to make at the dinner so I need to at least appear rested. And a shout out to Amy Knapp... thanks for helping me work out the Wynton thing. Good idea. ;) And I never saw this NY Times article on you and Myron until looking for a link to your name just now. Great article. You gotta love LOVE.

Peace,

Managing Expectaions

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 22:56:00 +0000

My young cousin Braelyn, age 7, who lives in California was picked up from school earlier this week where her classmates were hugging her and wishing her luck on her pending trip. They reminded her to get HIS autograph as they waved good-bye. Two days later she found herself in a Washington, DC hotel layering up for a day of sight-seeing in the cold. As her mother dressed her she very matter of factly asked mom, "So when are we going to visit Barack Obama?" Her mother explained to her that they were not going to to actually get to meet Barack Obama and would not be going to his house. Braelyn is not happy that she will not get HIS autograph.

Peace,

Leatrice

Reality Check #2

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:29:00 +0000

Nothing is as it seems and life is not fair.

When I was a little girl I loved fairy tales and dreams. Good always won out over bad. Love always conquered all. And everything was always as it seems. It has taken a good 41 years of believing in the magical powers of people to realize that good rarely wins, love conquers little, things are never as they seem, the wizard is a fraud and beware of wolves wearing a sheep's bad ass wool suit and Prada shoes.

Do not panic... I'm not turning into a pessimist here... Lord knows we need people in the world like me. My crystal champagne glass is always going to be half full. It's just that my custom designed rose colored glasses cracked and I'm having a moment of seeing the world as it is... not as I dream it is. That's not necessarily a bad thing. A reality check every now and then, while exhausting, rocks your world off it's axis and forces you grow to the next level.

I've lost my glasses in the past and always found them, but I'm looking for a new pair in 2009. I need a slight tint, not full color this time. Something that's stylish, sophisticated and keeps the glare down but still provides full visibility. Seeing the world as it is helps you find your path and purpose in it.

Reality Check #1

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:10:00 +0000

Fourteen days into the New Year... the rat race is already in progress.

Year-End Wrap Up

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:06:00 +0000

It's that time of the year when you reflect on what has been and what is yet to be. Did I reach ANY of the goals I set forth in the beginning of 08? Did I totally flake out and fall off of the wagon? How will I improve my life, my family, my community, my world in 2009? These are all a few of the very serious questions that I have been pondering since I have been away from it all (aka "on VACATION").

While 2008 was a fantastic year on so many levels, it was also very taxing. I was tired a lot. The Festival certainly wore me out ... physically, mentally and spiritually. It seemed like I was running all year long with very little time for rest and I learned that vision will cease without breath. In the new year it will be necessary to put work in a reasonable context as I have a lot to do. In 2009 the focus will be on continuing to live, love, imagine, dream, build, pray and do. No resolutions... just moving closer to purpose... stepping deeper into destiny. As doors open I will walk through.

Thanks for reading Brown Girl Excursions. Have a wonderful New Year! See ya in 2009!!!

Peace,

Wisdom to Know the Difference....

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:56:00 +0000

You know how sometimes it's just best to say nothing (since no one is listening anyway) and let everything run its course (toward hell in the proverbial hand basket)? I am in the middle of one of those moments.

Fortunately I recognize it for what it is and am able to recall the Prayer of Serenity.... Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. I would also add... And Lord, please let me show tact and empathy rather than cynicism and indifference in my "I told you so's" which are certainly waiting around the corner. Amen.

Peace,

iPod Shuffle -- Tobacco Road

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:07:00 +0000

This morning I got up and after thanking God for another amazing day, I hit up my Facebook page to see what was going on while I slept. Tracey is fasting, Adam is looking for an analog girl in a digital world, Jessica is writing a new script and David is wondering why leopard print stretch pants were ever created. According to him they don't look good on women (or drag queens) of any age - even if they wear the matching headband. My other 386 friends are doing the amazing and mundane.

In the midst of Adam's search for the analog girl, he sent me one of those music quiz's that you get in email and have to send to a million other friends. I always delete and never forward those emails. Who has time? But I have a lot on my mind and find it impossible to focus this morning. I needed to do something mindless AND it required that I use my iPod to play. A new twist. So, not only did I decided to play the game... but I'm sharing the answers with you. Yaaay for you!!! If you find yourself bored to death and lacking focus today, pull out your iPod and play the game. Hit me up and let me know what your answers were.

Directions:

1. Put your iPod or MP3 music player on shuffle

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer

3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN ... NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!

4. Tag 10 friends who might enjoy doing this as well as the person you got it from (that would be me!)

If someone says "is this okay"? You say?

"Nimato" - Habib Koite and Bamada --> I think Nimato means If You Don't Stop

What would best describe your personality?

"Alright, I'm Back" - Joi

What do you like in a man/woman?

"Never Let Go" - Russell Gunn

How do you feel today?

"Red Clay" - Youssou N'Dour

What is your life's purpose?

"Vete" - Ely Guerra ----> Vete means "Go" in Espanol (that's so me)

What is your motto?

"No Woman, No Cry" - Bob Marley and the Wailers

What do your friends think of you?

"Where the Spirit Is" - Kirk Franklin

What do you think about very often?

"Invitation"- Wynton Marsalis Septet

What is 2 + 2?

"Down the Tube" - Medieski, Scofield, Martin & Wood

What do you think of your best friend?

"Spend the Night" - Rahsaan Patterson ---> Funny, I don't have a "best" friend. This has been a dilemma for me since 5th grade. That page is actually blank in my high school memory book. Glenn was my best friend until the divorce. He lost his status. LOL.

What do you think of the person you like

"East of the Sun and West of the Moon" - Cyrus Chestnut

What is your life story?

"Truth" - Dwele

What do you want to be when you grow up?

"The Closer I Get To You" - Donny Hathaway

What do you think when you see the person you like?

"Sagal Ko" - Youssou N'Dour ---> Sagal Ko means honor her (clearly I like the brothers so don't get this twisted ;). The songs ARE random after all, but honor is always present when I deal with my friends and certainly when I am dealing with who I "like".

What do your parents think of you?

"Chaos" - Wadud

What will you dance to at your (next) wedding?

"I Think For Sure" - Ndambi

What will they play at your funeral?

"Eyes On the Prize" - Dianne Reeves --> This song says "keep your eyes on the prize and your back to the wind."

What is your hobby/interest?

"Walk On" - Ruthie Foster

What is your biggest secret?

"Ready or Not" - Fugees

What do you think of your friends?

"Speak Low" - Roy Hargrove Quintet

What's the worst thing that could happen?

"A Letter From My Friend" - Kirk Franklin

How will you die?

"Let Me Praise You Now" - Fred Hammond & Radical for Christ

What is the one thing you regret?

"Sugar Cane" - Les Nubiennes

What makes you laugh?

"Kiss" - Prince

What makes you cry?

"Dance with my Father" - Luther Vandross

Will you ever get married (again)?

"Breathe" - Lalah Hathaway

Does anyone like you?

"Mad World" - Marje

If you could go back in time, what would you change?

"11th Hour" - Dionne Farris

What hurts right now?

"Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)"- Digable Planets

What will you post this as?

"Tobacco Road" - War/Eric Burdon

See, that wasn't too bad and the funny thing is that in its randomness... it makes sense. Funny how that happens. Have a productive day. I'm going to vote and go to work now. I have to concentrate on focusing today.

Peace,

A Love Poem ... If You Forget Me

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:19:00 +0000

This is my first v-log for Brown Girl Excursions. I have had this camera for so long. Just never hooked it up.... UNTIL NOW. Lucky you!!! Ha ha. This is a love poem by Pablo Neruda entitled If you Forget Me. I hope you enjoy this format. Just switching it up. Keeping it interesting.

Peace,

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:47:00 +0000

It is 3:47 AM and I am UP. I was so tired when I got in that I crashed around 10. Now I am UP. I was in the middle of a crazy dream that cast me in the situation of having to save my parents from a lunatic. The lunatic was normal enough, but had crazy in his eyes. He would come and talk to me calmly to let me know that he was going to hurt my parents. I must have started dreaming darn near when I laid down, because all of that running around dreamland was wearing me out. In the final stretch of this particular sequence of the story the madman was targeting my Dad. Daddy wasn't answering his cell phone and we were trying to beat the clock to find him before the lunatic found him and killed him. We had thwarted his effort to harm my Mother. It was a game of cat and mouse until.... somewhere in the dream I told myself that my Dad has already transitioned and that I could end this by waking up. So.... I'm UP.

I don't generally attempt to decipher my dreams as I have no idea what they mean. What do we deal with when we are asleep and why? That dream could have been about a number of things. It could have been about loss or it could have even been about dealing with difficult people. I don't know. I am always amazed however that I am cognizant enough to realize that I am dreaming and wake myself up. I wake myself up from free fall dreams, when I'm being chased or caught up in dreamland psychological thrillers. LOL. Crazy.

It's 4:13 AM now and I'm thinking that I should go and catch a few more hours of sleep before getting up because it's going to be another long day. I've been using a LOT of brain cells over the past couple of weeks. Usage at that level has to wear you out. LOL. Plus, I am scheduled to go to a breakfast at 8:30 AM which I feel is in jeopardy right now since I am wide AWAKE. So, I will end this post and get back in the bed for a few more hours of zzz's. Hopefully if I slip into another dream within the next two hours, it will be about starlight and moonbeams and love and.....

Peace,

Money, Money, Money -- Update

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:49:00 +0000

I am noting that Juan's video did not show up in the emailed posts. It can however be found by clicking here or here.

Money, Money, Money

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:02:00 +0000

Okay... now that I have moved beyond the pure randomness of dude from Friday night (that RAVI felt I needed to meet) ... let's get back to important stuff like I dunno... THE ECONOMY.

The update is that retail sales are down the tubes (except for Wal-Mart), the auto industry is failing, the World's Leaders are in the United States meeting to understand what the hell is going on over here because our lack of control, oversight and discipline is ruining their economies and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson is now saying that the government has essentially changed their minds about the 700 BILLION DOLLAR rescue plan. He called a press conference to let us know that the government will shift the focus of the second half of the $700 Billion. They will no longer buy mortgage assets. They will unclog consumer credit. Hmmmmmm. How will they do that? What does that mean? And I thought that you guys knew what the best approach to this crisis was. What happened to all of that urgency? What happened to the transparency? What happened to the plan?

It's pretty serious folks and Obama's first 30-60 days in office is critical. One wrong move and we are a fallen empire. Talk about PRESSURE! While at Pop!Tech a presentation was given by author and debt crisis expert Juan Enriquez. Juan broke the entire economy down so that that it won't ever have to be broken down again. I have posted his presentation below. It's 30 minutes long but well worth it to understand what is happening. Please share your thoughts.

Peace,

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 04:16:00 +0000

I'm just getting in from two events tonight that targeted two different audiences and left me thinking what is up with people? The first event was sponsored by Atlanta's jazz station, WCLK. 91.9 FM. The evening's host was Danny Glover who is working with the station and a local financial planner to discuss issues of finance with communities of color. Nice, wholesome, good information, good people and good food. All is going well... then I'm introduced to the Director of something or another who is by far one of the most pretentious people that I have ever met in my life. And I know some pretty extra people. The conversation went like this...

Ravi: Leatrice I want to introduce you to (he who shall remain nameless)

Me: Hi how are you?

Him: I am the Director of (whatever) for WCLK (is that how you are?)

Ravi: Leatrice programs the National Black Arts Festival

Him: Yes, I know (insert any name) over there.

Me: (Looking confused - because no one by that name works at the Festival)

Ravi: She works for the Bureau of Cultural Affairs (which is not the National Black Arts Festival)

Me: Oh (still confused that he confused the Festival with the Bureau of Cultural Affairs)

Him: I know the Festival... I usually deal with Ms. Hughley (my boss) <------ runs the Festival

Me: (in my head) No you don't. Steph (Hughley) doesn't purchase ads or airtime. LOL. Are you kidding me? She's the Executive Producer.

Him: I know the difference between the two... the Bureau and the Arts Festival

Me: Giving him an eye as if to say... you are so full of it and yourself... but I didn't say it.

Him: Send me an email

Me: (Baffled) To say what exactly?

Him: What you want to discuss right now.

Me: We're not discussing anything.

Him: Well good... it was nice meeting you (and then he makes a feeble escape).

Me: ( laughing and walking away ... thinking how stupid conversations get on my nerves).

The second event was an art auction to support breast cancer research. I didn't buy anything but had the opportunity to check out the styles of some pretty dope artists and meet some pretty cool people. Everything was all good and totally non-extra with people buying art and supporting.

This evening solidifies for me that I DO NOT LIKE PRETENTIOUSNESS. If Calgon could have taken me away from event number one, I would have been oh so happy. Why do people feel the need to be soooooooooooo extra? When are we going to get to the place where extra is passe. There is a segment of the population that believes I, myself to be extra. But they are wrong. I'm simply "Le". Not pretentious... but exact. One always knows where I stand, where they stand with me and where I am coming from. I treat everyone with respect until they prove that I need to ignore them (like a few people I can't name- you know who you are) or treat them with general indifference. I'm only dealing with people who get it as we move into 2009. Here is to a non-pretentious existence. (MY champagne glasses are clinging in unison)

Peace,

Barack Obama is our President Ya'll

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 22:16:00 +0000

Michelangelo would look at a piece of marble and see the possibilities. He said of his sculpture work that he was "liberating the figure imprisoned in the marble". 53% of the voters in this country looked at Barack Obama and saw new possibilities. In him we saw the possibility of improved education, affordable healthcare, new jobs, sustainable energy, strengthened foreign affairs and a better quality of life for all people. We let our voices be heard by casting a ballot and electing Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.

Many of you have hit me up asking where the Brown Girl Excursions "Election" blog was. Honestly, I haven't been able to write it. It's all still settling in. As I watched the events of election night I thought about Black people who never dreamed this day would come. I thought about my Father who would have been all over this... he would have cried. And knowing Daddy, we would have been in Grant Park in Chicago. LOL. I called my mother immediately to share the moment with her. I thought about my grandparents and aunts and uncles and all of the Black people who struggled and fought for freedom when America wasn't ready to give it up. The ancestors are certainly rejoicing. I also watched the faces of a new America who recognizes that there is more that binds us together than separates. This new America believes in hope and dreams of a better world. Barack Obama is OUR President ya'll. The paradigm just shifted and we were a part of it.

The buzz with everyone I have spoken with about this moment in our collective histories is that it's time to "step up our game". I'm certainly stepping mine up. I've been wearing lipstick EVERYDAY since the election. Yeah baby!! Of course, like you, the election of Barack Obama has made me think about my own journey and purpose in life. After much internal angst since last week, I have concluded that I am on the right path. Whew! It's just time to stretch out and take it to the next level... time to walk into my season and be the me that I always knew I should be. And Remember the guy that told me I was "methodical"? Well this week he told me that I posses "genius", am "forward thinking" and "care about whatever I do". He certainly made me feel good about my direction. I might have to marry him some day.

I welcome this opportunity to be a part of the process of building America. It is time for all of us to be a part of this process and a part of ushering in peace and prosperity in the world. Now that's a legacy to leave all of our children.... black, white, brown, red and yellow. We're all in this together.

My note to the new President-Elect:

Dear Mr. President-Elect Obama,

I'm in! Let me know what you need. I got you.

Peace,

Leatrice

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:45:00 +0000

A Change Is Gonna Come

Sam Cooke (1964)

I was born by the river in a little tent

And just like the river, I've been running ever since

It's been a long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come

It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die

I don't know what's up there beyond the sky

It's been a long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come

I go to the movie, and I go downtown

Somebody keep telling me "Don't hang around"

It's been a long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come

Then I go to my brother and I say, "Brother, help me please"

But he winds up knocking me back down on my knees

There've been times that I've thought I couldn't last for long

But now I think I'm able to carry on

It's been a long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come.

------------------------------------------------------------

When Sam Cook first sang this song in 1964 it was during one of the most tumultuous times in the history of this country as Black people struggled for Civil Rights. When you listen to the song, you can hear both weariness and HOPE in his voice. Today, we will witness a diverse group of Americans ushering in a new future for our country and for the world. Change is upon us. My vote last week brought the HOPE and DREAMS of all of those before me full circle and ensures a better future for those who will follow.

I wasn't a Barack Obama supporter for President until after Iowa. He caught my attention when he said... We are the ones, we've been waiting for. I felt him on that. A Democratic Government is WE THE PEOPLE. We've been so disenfranchised by the government that we've forgotten that it is OUR government. If you haven't voted... GO VOTE! Today, vote for CHANGE!

Peace and Love,

Leatrice

TS- TS- TS- TS- U

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 04:44:00 +0000

This weekend I traveled to Nashville to go to my college homecoming. A Tennessee State University homecoming feeds the soul. When TSU gets together it's love. You could feel it everywhere people gathered- pep rally, parade, fish fry, tailgate parties, late night events, afternoon cocktails, the game and even at the local BBQ joint. Love! Thanks to an alumni social networking site, more people made the trip this year and I had an opportunity to see people that I haven't seen in 20 years or more. It was fantastic!

The weekend also gave me some space to reflect on the importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities to the Black community as a whole, but also to the communities in which they stand. In contemporary times we underestimate the impact HBCU's have had on the education, evolution and transition of African Americans. I was talking about this with friends this weekend and they said, "you still analyzing everything". I guess some things don't change. LOL.

Peace,

Leatrice

Pop!Tech 2008 - Scarcity and Abundance

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:50:00 +0000

So much going on right now ... in our communities, the country, the world and my brain. But today's blog is not about me, my brain, introspection or inner angst. LOL. No, this post is actually about OTHER PEOPLE. In God's infinite wisdom he has placed the Brown Girl slap dab in the middle of some of the most amazing thinkers on the planet. I'm in Camden, Maine at Pop!Tech. What an Excursion!

Pop!Tech is a conference in its 12th year that convenes a network of 600 thinkers, doers, leaders and global change agents in science, technology, social innovation, business, environmentalism, globalization, media, education and many other fields for a four-day exploration of ideas shaping the future. This year's focus is the 21st century dynamics between systems based on scarcity and those based on abundance in areas ranging from digital social networks to environmentalism, from biology to business and peacemaking to politics. The series of speakers and various sessions will engage this think tank in charting the core scarcities that humanity will face this century and how a wealth of new innovations, bottom-up approaches to collaboration and new insights into collective wisdom might hold the key to addressing them.

Exciting stuff! Good stuff! I attended a session today on the Wealth of Networks. It was pretty amazing and helped me understand my own series of networks and associations better. It also helped me understand how to build the network the Festival is building now. Up tomorrow is Malcolm Gladwell, one of my favorite writers and thinkers. He wrote the book "The Tipping Point". I read it and it shifted my entire way of thinking. I am going to be in the front row absorbing everything he has to say. He is brilliant!!!

I invite you to get a taste of Pop!Tech by visiting www.poptech.org and listen to the speakers from last year. You will be inspired and intrigued by what they have to say and what they are doing in the world. I've been here less than 24 hours and have already connected with a woman who is bringing solar energy to small villages in Africa and South America, a man from India who is teaching women in South Africa and India how to capture rain water and filter it so that their families have clean water to drink and an engineer who is working with other engineers to solve infrastructure problems around the globe that negatively impact poor people. That was just over drinks at tonight's reception.

The curator of Pop!Tech Andrew Zoli invited Stephanie and I to be here. That's the other thing about Pop!Tech. It is by invite only. After the invited have either accepted or declined, they open the last few spots to others. We bumped into him tonight and he said that he has a lot to talk to us about. Hmmmmm. Should be an interesting conversation to say the least. ;)

Peace,

Leatrice

The Power of Words

leatriceellzy@gmail.com (Leatrice) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 02:05:00 +0000

One of my favorite books is The Power of the Spoken Word by Florence Scovel Shinn. Written in 1945, the premise of the book is that our words have the power to change our lives and by paying more attention to how we speak, and hence how we think, we can change our circumstances for the better. I have read this book many times and have purchased more copies for friends than I can count. While on one hand it is a lesson in metaphysical spirituality, it is also a simple example of think before you speak.

I am noting in this presidential election there are many negative words flying around and no one seems to be pondering the ramifications of their words. At McCain/Palin rallies, Sarah Palin has been so successful at "exciting" the base that people have cried out "kill him", in reference to Barack Obama. Just words. The activity so disturbed Congressman John Lewis that he likened the incident to anti-black rallies during the Civil Rights Movement and made a comparison between Senator McCain and Governor George Wallace. Just words. Tonight on the David Letterman show John McCain said, "C'mon David. There are thousands of words thrown around in a campaign", when Letterman asked about the attacks on Barack Obama.

I submit that there are 19 days left in the campaign. Can the candidates stay on task with their words? Will their words be worthy of the office? Will they be presidential enough, spiritual enough and smart enough to understand how words do not return void. There is no such thing as only words. Especially words that will be consumed by the entire world.

For many years, one of my very good friends, Marje Etheridge has told me that I have to be careful with my words because my anointing is in words and what I give voice to. Obviously, according to her, people tend to listen. Reading the Power of the Spoken word helped me better understand what she meant. I am very cognizant of what I say to people these days. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a saint, am told that I am sometimes too direct and am apt to speak my mind on occasion. However, even in those cases, I am always reasonably cautions with my words, as I know that once they are uttered, they cannot be rescinded. This political season also teaches the same lesson, once it's said it's said.... once it's done, it's done.

Peace,