Habari Gani - Imani

Imani (Faith)
To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Habari Gani - Kuumba

Kuumba (Creativity)
To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Habari Gani - Nia

Nia (Purpose)
To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Habari Gani - Ujamaa

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)

To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together.

Habari Gani - Kujichagulia

Kujichagulia (Self Determination)

To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.

Habari Gani - Umoja

Umoja (Unity)
To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

Habari Gani...Why Kwanzaa by Dr. Maulauna Karenga

Random Thoughts....

I recently left an "on line community" tribe.net I just felt it was time. When I first joined it a few years ago it was a place that I found I could connect with kindred spirits at. Even if we disagreed everyone was allowed to express their opinions. I had met some dynamite people and they began leave I stuck it out but it got to the point where it felt like things were becoming a bit snarky. I don't deal with negative energy and I was putting so much effort into that place it was time to let it go. Anyway one of the people there contacted me about a new spot www.kingzplace.com and I signed and did a profile for a few days but it was like so many other places on the web. I actually already knew people from there from other places in cyberspace. Now don't get me wrong I like sensual/sexual energy and looking at men, especially men of color but it was the same thing over and over again and I feel like I am past that. So I left...I am not sure what this is saying about my state of mind lately but that's what's going on.

Speaking of good looking men. Survivor China is over so no more James (pictured above) on thursdays nights. He sure was sexy and in a very non aware type of way. I guess being a gravedigger from the south kept him isolated. He sure was fun to look at walking around in his underwear. He won the fan favorite vote which was nice. He had both immunity idols but was blindsided by his alliance...Oh Well...it's Survivor....

Project Runway has started again. Although it's on hiatus for two weeks. I am already addicted to this show again. I even ordered Season 1 on NetFlix so I could re-watch it...

That's it for now....just sharing where my head is at for the moment...

I'm Buggin....

In the 90's my favorite group was Arrested Development. I think they are some of the finest artist around. The music and energy they create is something amazing. Well they are back in a big way. Check out their music video for the song, "Miracles"

And if that wasn't enough looky looky....

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE LIFEMUSIC FAMILY!

We wish you all a very Happy Holiday Season!! This year has been a great year and we want to celerate it with all of you - our FRIENDS!!

As a Holiday FREE GIFT, you can download the MIRACLES META MIX MP3!!

That's right --- put it on your new mp3 player, blast it from your teeny tiny computer speakers and bump it at your Holiday Party!! Just Click HERE to go to the download page. We especially want to thank those of you who gave us your MIRACLES STORIES!! You truly are a MIRACLE and we appreciate your heart to share your stories. You can keep sending those stories in to mike@speechmusic.com.
While we're at it.... we have a SPECIAL HOLIDAY SALE!! ALL ITEMS IN THE LIFEMUSIC STORE AND THE SPEECHMUSIC STORE ARE $10!! That's right 10 Bucks to give the gift of music. Check it out!!
Finally -- we invite ALL OF YOU to download the ENTIRE Since The Last Time Mix Tape album (mp3 versions) for FREE!!! What?? Yep -- FREE -- all 19 tracks of rare AD joints and collaborations with freinds such as GYM CLASS HEROES, BRAILLE, and TY.

GET IT HERE!!!!!!

TENNESSEE IN VH1 TOP 100 SONGS OF THE NINETIES!

AD's TENNESSEE is in VH1's Top 100 Songs of the 90's! The show also features interviews with Speech! Please tune in Monday, December 17th @ 10PM to the premiere of VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of the 90’s. This 5-part special features new interviews with the decades’ hottest artists as well as industry insiders and other pop culture experts who will detail the best artists, music and music videos the decade had to offer.

Below is a head’s up on airdates/times for 100 Greatest Songs of the 90’s:

Hour 1 premieres Mon. 12/17 @ 10PM
Hour 2 premieres Tues. 12/18 @ 10PM
Hour 3 premieres Wed. 12/19 @ 10PM
Hour 4 premieres Thurs. 12/20 @ 10PM
Hour 5 premieres Fri. 12/21 @ 10PM

Hour 1 re-airs Tues. 12/18 @ 9PM leading into Hour 2 premiere
Hours 1 & 2 re-air Wed. 12/19 starting @ 8PM leading into Hour 3 premiere
Hours 1, 2 & 3 re-air Thurs. 12/20 starting @ 7PM leading into Hour 4 premiere
Hours 1, 2, 3 & 4 re-air Fri. 12/21 starting @ 6PM leading into Hour 5 premiere

The series will re-air in its entirety on Sat. 12/22 starting at 2PM & Sunday 12/23 starting @ 5PM

Series URL
http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_greatest/127759/episode.jhtml

Song List URL
http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_greatest/127759/episode_featured_copy.jhtml

SINCE THE LAST TIME CD RELEASE PARTY!

Thank you to all who made the CD release party a success!! The club was packed with fans and would-be fans !! Former AD singer Dionne Farris was there to support as was as Ron DeVoe of New Edition, and Professor Griff of Public Enemy. We appreciate our good friend and host for the night Shelley Wynter who was celebrating his appearance in Atlanta Magazine's " Best Of" edition.

AD OPENS THE SHOW FOR OBAMA/OPRAH!

Sunday December 9, 2007 - 29,000 supporters joined AD as they all welcomed Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey at Williams-Brice Stadium Sunday November 9th!

The Manning Marching Band can't compete with Arrested Development. They got on stage and started an Obama chant. They're singing about changing the world, encouraging the crowd to stand up, and livening up the stands. Everyone is clapping and swaying while chanting "Oh-bama, Oh-bama..." - Liz Ruiz



(See MSNBC story)
(BaltimoreSun)
(wltx.com)
See Video HERE

Closer...

I am a writer, a communicator, I use words to make pictures and convey thoughts. Occasionally I will read something or hear a song by someone else that embodies a spirit of greatness that I wonder if I can attain to it. The magic thing about it is it usually creates a space in me where I know from my very core I can.

One of those songs is "Closer" by Goapele. Not only is she a beautiful woman, she has beautiful energy, and a beautiful voice. The lyrics,

Closer to my dreams
It's coming over me

I'm gettin' higher
Closer to my dreams
I'm getting higher and higher
Feel it in my sleep

Some times it feels like I'll never go pass here
Some times it feels like I'm stuck forever and ever

But, I'm going higher
Closer to my dreams
I'm goin' higher and higher
I can almost reach

Some times you just have to let it go (Let it go, let it go)
Leaving all my fears to burn down
Push them all away so I can move on
Closer to my dreams
Feel it all over my being
Close your eyes and see what you believe

I'm happy as long as we're apart
Then I'm moving on to my dreams

I'll be moving higher (Moving higher)
Closer to my dreams
And higher and higher, higher
Feel it in my being (I can feel it flow around me)
I know that I could not go alone (No, no)

I'm moving higher (Higher), oh...
I'm going higher and higher and higher (Higher and
Higher)
Closer to my dreams (Higher and higher, oh...oh...)
I'm moving upward and onward and beyond all I can see
(Stretching out my arms so I can reach)

Feels so close it's like i can just reach
I can feel my dreams (Closer to my dreams)
I'm moving closer to my dreams
I'm moving (Higher and higher) higher and higher
(Higher and higher)
Moving higher, oh...

Some times it feels like you never gon'change (Never gon'change)
But you never choose to walk away

Touch me so deeply in a place that is like sitting by a calm lake on a warm day and there is a gentle breeze blowing. I had those feelings before I saw the original video for the song,

and also before I saw it performed by one of my favorite couples on the first season of "So You Think You Can Dance" Musa and Natalie,

Take a moment and enjoy this flow...

The Dream For Darfur U.S. Olympic Torch Relay

http://www.savedarfur.org/page/content/torchrun

The Dream for Darfur. U.S. Olympic Torch Relay

In less than a year, China will host the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, one of the world’s most powerful symbols of peace. Meanwhile, despite its tremendous influence over the Sudanese government, it is failing to help end the genocide in Darfur.

The Dream for Darfur Olympic Torch Relay sets out to remind China of its responsibilities. The torch is traveling to more than 28 states in the U.S. and seven countries around the world until it reaches China's doorstep in December.

Read more. . .

http://www.savedarfur.org/page/content/about_torch

About the Dream for Darfur Olympic Torch Relay

Olympic Dream for Darfur has organized an Olympic Torch Relay from Darfur to Beijing that started in August 2007. The goal of the relay is to remind China of its ability and its responsibility to help end the carnage in Darfur.

The Olympics are less than a year away. The theme for 2008 is “One World, One Dream.”

As China prepares to host the Olympics and waves the banner of peace and brotherhood, it is failing to help bring these ideals to Darfur.

Tell China to help end the genocide and bring the Olympic dream to Darfur!

China has considerable influence over the Sudanese government and can play a critical role in ending the carnage in Darfur. So far, China’s actions have not been enough.

Click here to read more about China’s relationship with Sudan and Darfur

Don't delay! Tell China to use its influence to end genocide now!

To remind China of its responsibility to help bring peace to Darfur, Dream for Darfur launched its own Olympic Torch Relay in August. The torch began its journey in Chad, just across the border from Darfur. The torch will travel around the world, visiting sites of previous genocides such as Rwanda, Armenia, Bosnia, Germany, and Cambodia.

Between September and December, The Save Darfur Coalition, Dream for Darfur, and STAND will bring the torch to several cities around the U.S. The torch will end its tour when it arrives at China’s doorstep in December.

The message is simple. China please: bring the Olympic dream to Darfur.

One Year And Counting...

Sunday December 16 marks the one year anniversary of my move to the Bay Area. It started out rough but thankfully things turned around for me earlier this year.

I started off in Vallejo which reminded me a lot of the town I grew up in Inglewood, Ca. The thing I didn't realize about Vallejo was that you had to cross a bridge to get to a good job. I couldn't find anything in the area that worked for me.

I moved to Berkeley and that's when things began to change. I found a job and within a couple of months moved into my own apartment in Oakland, Ca.

I am loving life right now. Interestingly enough I haven't found the kind of spiritual foundation I had at my church or poet/spoken word community but I figure that will happen with time. I was involved with this sweet guy named Berry but we didn't work out and he has moved to Cincinnati. He was someone I was hoping to build something significant but he was at a place in his life where he needed to help himself before he could get involved with me.

I am still decorating my apartment. I found these window frames that I am planning on turning into picture frames. I was hoping to get artwork from some artists I've met on line and in person but no one really followed through so I have decided to take on some projects myself. I also feel this will give my place the organic energy I want it to have.


That's it for now. I am not sure how often I will blog here but I am hoping this will become an outlet for my thoughts, poetry, and other events that people will find intersting...