So tonight is the first of the two-part CNN Special Black In America: a documentary exploring the current state of African Americans in United States. And since I still don’t have TIVO the first, I will be sitting my black behind down to watch it. Not that I need Soledad to tell me that there’s a lot of work to be done in our community but it will be interesting to see what messages about our community are being given to mainstream America this year. Cause you know, there’s a damn investigative special on Black folks every year. Okay? I guess the big question is, after we watch this and talk about it to death, exactly what are we going to do?

There’s an online component fot those of you who want to be heard:
CNN.com/blackinamerica

It’s still really surreal to me when I look up and see people that I’ve known for YEARS making these huge leaps of progress: major promotions, getting married, buying houses and having kids. It’s like wait a sec, weren’t we just sitting in our work cubicles talking ish about how turning 25 made us feel SO old like two seconds ago?

Don’t you hate it when someone you’ve been cool with for like FOREVER “all of a sudden” remembers to mention that they have a fine-ass looking brother/ cousin/ friend??? Like somehow or the other, they forgot that they were related to a handsome, intelligent, personable, AVAILABLE black man that wait on it… actually prefers to date women of color. Sigh.

What is about a dreary summer Monday that makes everyone look so cranky? As my boy Anthony described it, like the 5-year old that you’re about to preemptively shove a bottle in his/ her mouth to avoid the crying? Perhaps its the nagging thought that today could’ve been sunny and beautiful but instead, its overcast, moist and not even all that warm. Had this been the fall or winter, at least we would have expected and accepted the whatever NYC weather. But in the month of June? On behalf of all the aggy Monday morning subway riders, I demand warm summer breezes and shiny happy people every step of the way!

So me and the crew went to see the very first showing of The Sex In The City movie last night at 12.01am and I have to say, its was super cute.
I was never really a huge fan of the show (gasp, yes it’s true). Nevertheless, I decided to join in the bonding moment and trek down to Chelsea Cinemas to see the fabled production. Let’s just say, we knew the night was off to a great start when the semi-illiterate usher came to belatedly inform us that we everyone with 12.01am tix could bypass the ridiculous line and go straight into the theaters causing a stampede of Chelsea boys literally running over little girls in high heels. A classic NYC memory for life.
About the movie: if you’re not in love or a total romantic, the most important thing was the wardrobe. Happily, Carrie’s uber creative wardrobe choices (my fave by far being the grandmas drawers she sported in the bed with BIG) did not disappoint and lusted for Miranda’s plethora of coats and leather gloves (I’m such a winter gear woman).
I highly recommend that every woman go with at least three girlfriends who talk during the movies to enjoy the experience fully.

In an effort to escape the walls of life that were steadily closing in on me, this past Saturday I hopped on the last thing smoking out of JFK and headed to San Fran for a much needed change of enviornment. Notice, I didn’t say vacation. Because thanks to the free wi-fi in every inch of this city and the damn Crackberry, I am still very much up at the crack of dawn, working my butt off just to keep the head above water but at least I’m doing it from a really cute Chinese themed hotel with sunshine streaming in from the balcony (don’t hate, join AAA).

Okay folks, there are offically twelve days left until my book drops. And how many of my so-called friends have managed to pre-order the book? Exactly six. Now I know, over the past thirty-two years, I’ve accumulated more than six friends with $12 to spare.
And certainly there are more than six people that have hit me up for a favor, loan, help, advice, a ride… Dang, can a sister get a little something on the back end? Mind you, it’s always encouraging to hear how many people are proud of and inspired by my decision to strike out on my own. But err-um, a little financial support would go a veeeeerrrrrrrryyyyy long way.
Granted, I know everyone thinks they deserve a free copy. But please let me explain how the publishing business works: it’s all about the numbers. My ability to secure the next book deal is soley based on the number of units I sell on this book deal. And no, the number of books I give away does not count towards this number. (READ: If Mitzi only sells six copies, she’s going to be panhandling on a corner near you).
Not to mention, the measly TEN copies the publishing company gives me are for PROMOTION. Anything beyond those initial ten must be purchased by yours truly. So while I’m happy to give your lil’ cousin Tay-Tay a free book. (in hopes she’ll convince all six of her friends to purchase a copy). I’d rather not buy my own book just so that I can give it to you.
BESIDES….
How will I be able to hook you up, if I never become rich and famous?
BIG PICTURE PEOPLE.
Order by the end of business tomorrow, & it’ll only cost you $8.99!
http://www.amazon.com/Hotlanta-No-1-Denene-Millner/dp/0545003083/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205861024&sr=8-1

Ok, my idol/ super tight homegirl/ author extraordinaire Joan Morgan just got back from interviewing Hillary Clinton in New Orleans for vibe.com!!! How fly is that? I swear, when I grow up, I want to be just like Ms.Morgan.

Sigh, I love it when star power is put to good use.
So I’m purposelly not going to mention today’s NYT article on how little money from Bono’s (RED) campaign is actually reaching the remote HIV ridden places in Africa that really need it. No comment at all. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/06/business/06red.html?ex=1202965200&en=5c8644a316c84484&ei=5070&emc=eta1

No, I’m going to focus on Kerry Washington, Rosario Dawson, Jessica Alba and Ali Larter’s new PSA in support of Eve Ensler’s ‘V to the Tenth,’ an upcoming two-day celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Vagina Monologous in New Orleans, LA, that includes concerts, speakers and performances of the play to benefit women in the South and abroad.

Happening on April 11 and 12th, featured performers include: Common, Eve, J-Hud, Joss Stone, Ashley Judd, Ellen DeGeneres, Jane Fonda, Salma Hayek, OPRAH (yeah, i capitalized it) as well as poets, writers and scholars from around the country.

Check it Out:
http://www.etonline.com/news/2008/02/58283/index.html