CoolBlackSweetDivine

Andy Williams and Me

2008-12-08T14:15:00.003-05:00

Now, if anyone had even suggested that, come December, your delightfully afrocentric DivaCardista would have a thing for Andy Williams Christmas music, I'd've said you were absolutely mad. But, I tell you, something about that man singing about Santa "coming down the chimney, down..." that makes my heart do a wee flip! (Not to mention my mind...)

OK. Since last we spoke, Obama got elected, Palin paled in comparison to Biden, Hil [& Bill] were invited back to the dance and snow has fallen on my fair city. Lots to mull & ponder...

Currently looking for jobby-job to keep the wolf from the door. Last I looked he was about three blocks down...

Just took a test to become a MC--Mistress of the Census. If you are looking for a[nother] revenue stream, contact the Census folk. They need a bunch of people...

Gotta get my stuff from the laundry. Gotta write copy for blessedstar card sale ending 12/17. If you want more detail, send me your USPS and I'll send you the data (if I don't Constant Comment you first...)

Stay well. Stay warm. Stay in touch!!

Happy Holidays!

New Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

47 Fritos

2008-10-03T12:31:00.005-04:00

OK, here's the thing that became abundantly clear last weekend while sharing a fabulous spa day with a dear girlfriend...

If I see Fritos, I eat Fritos. By the fistful. I don't see them? I don't eat them.

And the thing is, I've been seeing quite a few "Fritos" lately...

I've really got to fight this thing, especially since my last note to self whilst in my endocrinologists office was, upon next visit, the goal is to be less fat.

Happily my face has de-swollen, but my thoracic section makes my otherwise fantastic frame look like those prize fighters from the 1900's. You know: more Jack Johnson than Beverly Johnson...

But, diligently working my gym membership, I remain hopeful and hard working.

Fell asleep and missed Biden/Palin. Will catch it on YouTube.

YouTube is a real boon for folks like me who don't watch TV on the regular [any more]. I actually [finally] got to see the infamous Palin/Couric interview via YT. And, while watching, it occurred to me that S Palin is neither dumb nor dim. She is just a bit arrogant and, more importantly, woefully inadequate for the [potential!] job at hand. It would be like you or me being asked to co-pilot a jet plane all of a sudden.

And I want to know where are all of the other smart, skilled & available GOP women she beat out for the job? What do they have to contribute to this conversation?

A Diva wonders...

I also wonder if I shd just get out my Y2K Savarin can and put my money in that for safe keeping. I'm watching Bloomberg/MSNBC/The Situation Room/etc. at the gym and I have never seen so many flummoxed pundits in my life. Further, have you ever seen so much of melting and smelting of family heirlooms in your life?

And Bank of America is actually running a campaign that may as well be saying

y'all better come on in here and get this money while it's still here... don't you mess around with no nine month CD... shoot... this may be a jiffy lube, starbucks or a dollar store by then...

Keep the faith.

Happy October!

New Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

ps: put down those Fritos & ROCK THE VOTE!

Sectional Healing

2008-09-24T01:33:00.002-04:00

it is well after one in the morning and i [have the nerve to have] just got[ten] back from the store. the combination of shingles, insomnia and a searching spirit can be a heady cocktail.

have you ever had shingles? it is a trip and a half. thank goodness it is well on its way out. i'm looking forward to not being subject to fits of powerful exfoliation followed immediately by the need for some format of blue star ointment and a good nap. sheesh! (yes, this is yet another gift from your friend and mine, Mr. Steroid.)

welcome to fall! i am excited for this change of season. i hope you are too. in spite of the nausea-inducing market news and money being too tight to mention, i still hope you and yours can find new strategies for living and loving in this new yet challenging season.

and in the midst of this time of fiscal snugness, i still want the three c's: a new computer, this fantastic coat i just discovered at a local discounter and a leather couch that converts into the world's most comfortable sofa bed.

i'm really feeling the designs at ikea. second? jennifer convertible followed closely by la-z-boy. if you have any recommendations--aside from the traditional wisdom of "never buy[ing] an ugly couch, even if it is on sale"--i'm more than willing to listen.

in closing,

go see title of show: it is an interesting and entertaining Broadway show that deserves a longer run...

keep me in your prayers: your DivaCardista is doing all she can to look and feel more like Halle than Fred Berry, but, as stated earlier, these are challenging days for us all...

rock the vote: yeah, i'm sick of the whole dragged out affair as well, but let's not grow weary in well doing. vote.

and stay well.

New Blessings for a New Season,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

It Took all the Strength I Had...

2008-08-13T12:06:00.005-04:00

So early last evening, I was all dressed and powdered, ready with my blanket & large piece of plastic to go under the blanket and the goal of having my favorite deli sandwich of low salt turket on wheat with the merest hint of mustard with a diet snapple green tea, when I realize I don't quite know where I'm going. After all, Central Park is no wee small place. So, something said you'd better check online before you launch off to see Mz. Jill Scott in concert at the SummerStage, for which your DivaCardista paid nigh unto 90 clams...only to discover that neither she nor Mr. Wyclef Jean would be there as the whole shebang was cancelled.

So...there I was, all dressed up and no place to go. But since your DivaCardista is just about always up for an adventure, she decided to launch off to the city anyway. Who knows what she would find? There is always the possibility of something great to explore in Gotham. And having ruled out the cinema and the world of dance, in addition to not wanting to drop another knot on the Chaka concert at the Nokia...after the Jill upset, the bloom had pretty much fallen off the rose as far as concert going was concerned...I turned again to my faithful friend, The Theatre!

And, I am happy to report, it did not disappoint.

The show I went to see was [title of show] and was I glad. Sure, it has a fair amount of language, however, there is so much hope and wit and craft and genuine affection for Broadway, how could you not appreciate this uptown/downtown musical? This evening was all the more exciting and enjoyable for me as, of course, your DivaCardista has a good friend in the cast, the divine and iridescent Ms. Susan Blackwell. But every member of the quintet (if you include Larry at the Piano) was great.

So I came home, feeling all uplifted and encouraged about my own work and inspired about the latest theatrical piece I'm working on, when, in as many weeks, the second lead in my wee church play says they need to drop out.

Me: OK, God: what now? when will the bloodletting end?

God: I'll handle it.

Me: Are you sure there's nothing more I can do?

God: If you cdve, you wdve by now, doncha think?

Me: They're gonna tear me a new one at our next meeting, you
know...

God: Not hip to your process, huh?

Me: Neither do they regard it too highly, I don't think...

God: Well, you have to trust me on this: everything will work out...

a fitful night of sleep passes. the sun burns bright into the room.
it is suddenly 9am.

Me: ...and I say what exactly to the rest of the cast?

God: Tell them...tell them what I told you. And stop acting
like such a misfit. You do have authority in this area. You know how I know?
Because I gave it to you.

So yes, it took all the strength I had not to fall apart the first time and I have to go to a similar place to deal with this [potential] second jejune blow.

All this for a 27 page play to be done in the woods. Sheesh.

I have to stop thinking that what is easy to me--writing/staging/producing/performing a play--is easy to every one else, and vice versa. An example of vice versa? Passing the road test. Look at how many cars there are on the road--all folk who, unlike moi, figured out how to pass the road test.

Life, eh?

No, I still can't believe that Bernie and Issac are gone. Hot buttered soul and hot comedy as satisfying as butter on a hot biscuit...gone. We miss them terribly. Glad they were here. Our lives are richer for it.

Well, let me get to this resume I'm working on.

I wish you joy this fine August day.

New Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com
need to update or create
your resume?
give me a shout:
joy@blessedstarcards.com

Smoked Pleasant Sausage

2008-07-27T23:02:00.005-04:00

It is Sunday evening and, while I am so full I can hardly breathe after my FabSuperSoupSupperToThe Extreme, I still want a cookie. Somebody help me.

Perhaps it's because I've become a maraca from all my doctors "filling me up with alla these pills" that seem to have stoked all kinds of latent food cravings that I've managed to keep at bay since the eighties. Perhaps I am simply insatiable, but I have found great joy in my salt/sugar free universe of late: lots & lots of fresh broccoli, corn, red cabbage, black beans, lentils, split peas, polenta, blueberries, oranges, homemade applesauce, lasagne with spinach, cinnamon/all spice oatmeal, chicken/turkey, whole grain pizza with mozzarella [kosher for passover], egg noodles and longhorn cheese, whipped fat free cream cheese on a whole wheat bagel...um...what can i say? Your DivaCardista likes her cheese, especially at the nexus/axis where it meets some kind of pasta or whole grain bread. And if you boost that with the lycopene of a well-tended tomato, I'll be happy as a clam-named-Sam.

Good news is I've redoubled my effort and committment to going to the gym. Five times last week. (I am so determined to come off this insulin...not to mention these @*$^! steroids...) I just have to restrict this whole gotta-have-a-sugar-free-something-in-my-mouth thing to the weekend. Or at least special occasions, like maybe tomorrow when my girl, The Bronx Bohemian, and I plan to see the waterfalls.

Ah me: I've got a musical play on deck for the singles ministry retreat in September, two books to complete and a website to update. Aside from the every so often feeling that I've been hit in the face/chest with a bag of full nickles and really fat, sausage-like feet, life is very full and very good. The writing has proved to be life saving and has indeed been helping me to reclaim my righteous [writers] mind. Who knew how scrambly, dusty and dormant that part of my brain had been (or for how long?) Thank God for new beginnings.

Oh yes: please go see "Meet Dave". It really is an entertaining family film. (How many times can you actually say that?) And if you like Eddie Murphy even a little bit, you will be glad that you went, unlike, say, my personal experiences with the overlong "Get Smart" and the somewhat creaky "Indiana Jones". Yes, I was surprised at how well the film held together and held my attention. And I really enjoyed it, to boot.

Donnie McLurkin preached his heart out today. And am I glad. Did my soul good. I hope your pastor/preacher blessed your soul real good as well.

Here's hoping you've had a grand and lovely weekend and shall have a happy & healthy week to come.

New Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

Fat Like a Tick

2008-07-21T10:20:00.003-04:00

SO much is new, I hardly know where to begin...

i have been steadily working on a brand new play for the singles ministry retreat this fall and the process is absolutely life giving. our theme is centered on purpose and living like there is an intrinsic reason why each person has been sent here. Catalytic stuff. I'll let you know how it all shakes out.

What else? 4.25 gas...old hat...oh yeah: the hospital.

"evrytime i move, i lose/ when i look i'm in..."

Just got out as my sugar spiked 600--yes, you read that right--and it took a solid week to get it down from the stratosphere. Boy, am I sick of the hospital. But, even more, we are so over steroids!!! So, rather than falling on my sword and submitting to whatever the docs say on the Mount of Sinai, for the first time, I am taking on the role of empowered patient and liverdoc and I are going to actually dialogue about the strategy to get me off of these whack pills that have done everything from distort my body to making me prone and consequently subject to the skin popping world of diabetes, which I have never had before. Pray my strenght in the Lord, saints.

Had this 70yr PuertoRiquena as a roomate for just about the whole time I was [across the street] in The Jug. She was a pip. On the last day she was there, a day before I got sprung, a lovely male friend of mine came to see me. Even though I looked not unlike the crazy cat lady from the Simpsons, in my hospital drag, we had a nice visit. Nothing like a good friend when you are feeling low. Anyhoo, skip ahead to the day roomie is about to be taken home by her family. In walks this Eastern Bloc Phychiatrist who seemed to want nothing more to tighten me up for the weekend with some something direct from the apothecary to help me take the edge off, as twere.

"Are you depressed?"
No.
"Do you sleep through the night?"
No...
"Are you hopeless?"
Nope.
"Have you considered suici...?
NO!
"Why do you cry?"
Um...
[because we are at war? And because steroids gave me fat ankles, a depressed pituitary, a fat yellow face, high blood pressure, diabetes and medical bills that are threaten my FICO score hourly? Shoot, why do you cry?]
"They say you are depressed. Let me give you something to..."
I'd rather have your business card, just in case I might want to talk later.

And as soon as I made it known I was not about start shooting up and getting high with/because of/due or in response to him, he was gone like a flash. Like a vapor.

My roomate's response? "Honey, all you need is a papi chulo & you'll be just fine. You don't need another drug."

Scared of her.

Also, re: fat like a tick:

All the time, people hate on hospital food. And as many perfectly lovely places that I have had the best of the best cuts of meat, swirls of potatoes and infusions of all kinds of leeks, acai, basil, mint and sweet vidalia...your DivaCardista can get her grub on in a hospital. All week long, especially since I knew each meal cost a car note, I ate everything I could. And was not shy about asking for more. Now, of course, as a "newly diagnosed diabetic" [Sideshow Bob shudder here] there were/are limits, even beyond sugar and carbs. Yet, I managed to emerge from each meal...fat like a tick.

Now, during this life saving/life changing week, I learned a lot as well. For example, even though grape juice is a great source of antioxidants for some, the sugar it contains is far more than your Diva can metabolize. Who knew? (I was chugging it by the gallon. Literally.)

Another good thing to come out of this week was that zeal and insomnia drove me to read and write voraciously. Was all up in every magazine from O to The Atlantic to Black Enterprise to Time. And got a huge jump on my aforementioned play. I was determined not to let a week of skin popping, saline and nubby sock wearing encourage my brain turn to mush.

Speaking of mush...

Before nine this morning, we are happy to report, I was at the gym for the first time in about two weeks! You'd be surprised what a mere week in the hospital dealing with "sugar" can do to a body. SO I did my gentle "circuit", abductors, adductors--abs the hardest of the two--rescued my dry cleaning and came on home. Groovy, yes? So proud of me...

The heat is beginning to rise precipitously now, so I'm gonna close.

But I surely hope your day is a good one. If so, give a shout.

CoolNew Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

Obama

2008-06-04T11:19:00.002-04:00

I was actually asleep when I heard the news last night, which is rare, because as you know, this special medical substance they have your DivaCardista on can have you up all night, just parolling about, seeing where the wiles of insomnia can take you...

but last night i was totally asleep when i heard obama was the man with the delegates to do the thing we all need: bring the hope dignity and direction of this great nation not only back, but forward and with holy boldness.

then i got up and began to clean my kitchen.

as i began to get into the nooks and crannys of my sadly neglected freezer, i began to think of the team that brought us the notion and the phrase "run, jesse, run". i wondered what hey were pondering in thier hearts as this moment scrolls out before us. then i thought about my 90 some odd year old Godmother and how she and her crew--which, of course, included my ma--would say that if nobody got arrested during her days of social protest, they weren't on their job "keep[ing] the pressure on", in the words of another freedom fighter aka "Madiba" (from across the way...)

and i thought about my mother and all of the local politicking we used to do...i think of this a lot, especially since her going into the nursing home, where she sleeps a lot these days, as she is well into her 8th decade and no longer the voluble sis that i came to know. still opinionated and imperial when "on", but, you know, less and less so.

i thought about fanny lew hamer and unbought and unbossed shirley chisholm...and even now i think about how long it can take for a change to come...and how much it takes to be a change agent...even in/especially in our own lives...and, like the life stories of the Big Women in my life tell me, at the core, that not fighting is not an option...ultimately...and how if i don't, at some point, fight for you and you don't step it up and fight for me, we are not going to make it. period. forget that rugged individualism fantasy: we need we, and whatever we need to do to keep we together, we better recognize that right now, with all the humility and courage and grace and wit and stamina we can muster.

again, holy boldness is a plus.

what a journey this has been.

and it's only june.

throughout this democratic slugfest i also often wondered just how tired they must both/all be: the husbands and the wives and the kids and the extended family, fictive kin, etc...but especially she and he.

i hope they can get the rest and replenishment they need to do the next leg of battle.

i hope the same for all of us.

(here's the link that got me here in the first place:
Welcome to MSN.com )

I truly wish us all the very best this day.

As for moi, i am going to dr. endo to get the next strategy for my next level of healing.

Let's all continue to be encouraged, shall we?

New Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

happy june!

2008-06-02T12:08:00.006-04:00

it felt so good to go church without having to tote my coat, i didn't know what to do.

it is june and warm is the new norm. huzzah!

no, i haven't heard from the mri people yet. yr DivaCardista has to summon the courage to get in a call to the doc herself today...one of many Courageous Conversations that have to happen this week...

saw Passing Strange yesterday. thought i was going to see mr fishburn or anika noni rose & the crew, but they weren't on the tdf on broadway menu, so, since, as you know, i am always trying to stay up with the lastest theatrical hotness as it doth occur, there i was, in the beautiful old theatre that The Belasco is--the three [!] ladies bathroom stalls notwithstanding--where first i saw Your Arms Too Short to Box with God and Ain't Misbehavin'.

And now, three for three, the next truly hot thing: Passing Strange.

Oddly enough, this is the show I thought I was going to see when I--oy...--found myself at Spring Awakening.

Passing Strange is a gift you owe yourself if you want to see what a 21st century mind can do with the challenge of telling a personal story wonderfully well from the deep well of one's belly and a life lived in pursuit of personal truth. It is told with nuance, wit, passion, flair and great care. Not to mention music that will have you (and whomever you are near) rocking out much hard.

And an all AfAm cast to boot. And can they do their thing!!!!!

Yeah, there's "language" and "situations" and whatnot that occur in the telling of the story...but the story is powerful, poignant and seemless. No whole bunch of gratuitous this that and the other again you need to brace your soul and brain against just to get through the evening. The craft is so high and the writing is tight. Just a potent story that breathes and is exceedingly well told, is all.

And the light show is to die for.

This Tony season is going to be off the chain.

Happy June!

New Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

She Said What Now?

2008-05-25T23:38:00.000-04:00

Now, we know Hillary wants to...you know...win and all, but my goodness! With what comes out of her mouth during the wee small hours of this campaign...it makes a body wonder...

Op-Ed Columnist - All About Eve - Op-Ed - NYTimes.com

Let's all try to get through the weekend without any more super-oops, macabre, borderline racist/death reflux from this candidate, shall we?

New Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

Miracles

2008-04-24T10:45:00.010-04:00

Been poked and stoked, plucked and stuck, mashed and humbled since last we spoke and yet I am so amazed by each new day and the miracles that I see each moment I live.

And how have you been?

Taxes are done, bills are getting paid and hope is springing up. Thank you Jesus for unmerited favor.

Looking forward to new health strategy that involves less of a stoner lifestyle and funny looks from the "extraordinary miracle" folk at my local CVS pharmacy. And complete divine head2toe healing.

In delightful process of re-imagining the already sweet blessedstarcards.com so that you get more of the joylovefaith&flavor of your DivaCardista and the growing vision of this happy company-o-mine.

Finna break out to Cali to celebrate my genius Godbro and his being awarded a well earned EdD while bouncing my pals twins upon my knee as I will assuredly be astounded by the new miracles that they have become since meeting them in January...

Poetry is springing up in your DivaCardista. In lovely ways. In empowering ways. And I will be sharing more of this with you very soon.

These are bloody tough times. These are beautiful days, bursting with possibiliy. These are times of swift, often frightful, transition.

And yet...

I hope and pray you are finding your miracles today. Miracles that drive your toward the Divine within you, so that you, too, may access fresh new vision and hope. Come what may.

Stay encouraged.

Fresh New Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com
Mother's Day is 5/11
Make it special with a
blessedstar card or gift!

Bookcases in The Hood, Baby!!

2008-03-11T17:36:00.003-04:00

Ms. G's Classroom now has the proper bookcases and I want to THANK each and every one of you for opening your hearts and pockets to help me make this dream come true for my very first alma mater!

You are the best!!!!!!!

New Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

Living Saved & Single on the East Coast!

2008-03-10T15:58:00.007-04:00

Hey Good People,

I would be remiss if I didn't let you know that this coming autumn the best singles ministry ever is hosting our SECOND ANNUAL Greater Allen Cathedral of New York SINGLES RETREAT this September 5, 6 and 7th!

So...

If you too are seeking the Lord and want to have a wonderful time in His presence as a saved and single man or woman on the East Coast, please let me know, because your DivaCardista will do all she can to get you all the data!

Last year we just had such fantastic fellowship and spiritual refreshment, that I just wanted to let as many new folk know as possible.

Get ready!!!!

Fresh New Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com
allencathedral.org

put your records on / put your junk out

2008-03-10T15:25:00.005-04:00

hey good people,

sitting here working with all due diligence trying to keep my head above water and a good attitude about this here sunny late winter day.

i am so happy that spring begins next week, i am just about to burst.

or it could be the medication...

but i'll tell you, this mind altering moment i'm passing through is really something else. i have been doing all i can to make it work for my benefit and, bless God, it really has.

yes, your Divine DivaCardista is a bit more Jack Johnson than normal, but we are over here with the expert aid of Sis Corinne Bailiey Rae trying to keep it all in flow and green and lovely.

my liver is doing better, thank you for asking. no longer doing it's "otis-in-the-drunk-tank" impression and i am more than thankful.

part of this journey of stripping down and deconstruction that i've been on is to do the real internal inquiry as to why my innards have been in revolt...and i have been better for it.

for example, everytime TV would say "anti-oxidant", your DivaCardista would go shopping. And everytime a website would suggest another of nature's superdelegates, again, there i'd be haunting my green grocer...and after a while, my body was like what is going on?

meanwhile, the true inflammation was manifest all through my living / space: financial data all willy nilly, just rife for ID theft and whatnot. not Diva-like at all.

now? everything is suspect or on the bubble. everything in my home MUST serve my needs for air, health, life, progress and positivity. so for the last five weeks its been all about the strip search, deconstruct & fearless inquiry.

You'd be surprised at what can hide in a simple set of hanging files: all kinds of old dead links to accounts long closed, defunct and producing neither money nor fruit.

Same with closests. Got rid of old fake Christmas trees hanging like so many swords of Damocles and threatening me whenever I went to get my coat to escape the cave in which i was "living".

Sometimes a lady just has to say NO!!! If you are not working with me, you will not be working against me, be you an outfit or a big old piece of furniture that no longer contributes verve or style consistent with my present & future goals of joy, love, faith and flavor.

It feels so great now to awaken to a home filled with light and possibility.

And health.

And Jesus joy.

And I wish the same for you.

Hit me back if you, too, can echo this journey.

FreshNew Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com
EasterSunDay is 3/23
Make it special
with a blessedstar card
or gift!

death in texas

2008-02-22T18:54:00.003-05:00

now, i know you can't keep a good woman down...

but clinton must be feeling this one.

what is it with cavalcades, presidencies and death in texas?

i pray that this man's family will know God's comfort.

what a time this is.

stay warm,

New Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

clothes, hair, face

2008-02-19T15:49:00.002-05:00

as birthday approaches & pregnizone alters personality--who knew?--yr Diva has taken on every dustball & dry bone in her valley.

all dead ideas, dull countenances are are no longer courted with smiles, but scant looks of deep suspicion and swift dismissal if they don't promote life.

spring's a comin and we don't want to be found wanting, waiting or wading thru olde anything that doesn't correlate with whats lively, happening & new.

holla if ya...if ya know what i mean.

fresh Blessings 2 you,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

Love is all we Need

2008-02-14T14:26:00.002-05:00

i do hope you are having a happy Valentine's day.

that's it. no political fanfare. just love.

from me 2 you.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

Hold up! Wait a Minute!

2008-01-30T09:26:00.000-05:00

Your DivaCardista is just trying to get back to the day job, trying to get my AIDA on, when we read cross da scrawl that John Edwards just dropped out of the race!

Talking bout a nail biter!

Stay tuned...

Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

I'm Free! Free Falllllin!

2008-01-30T08:39:00.000-05:00

“It bordered on science fiction to think that someone as liberal on as many issues as Rudy Giuliani could become the Republican nominee,” said Nelson Warfield, a Republican consultant who has long studied the former mayor’s career. “Rudy didn’t even care enough about conservatives to lie to us. The problem wasn’t the calendar; it was the candidate.”
Copyright © 2008 The New York Times

Well.

I didn't think Giuliani's Florida campaign could go but so well: not only did he but way too many eggs in that basket, but he dared go to the very state where Abner Louima had to go to restart his life after The Horror that happened on Giuliani's watch!

What was he thinking?

Onward and upward, Obama. Onward and upward!

Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com
Valentine's Day is almost here!
Order your a blessedstar card
for your honey today!

Yay Obama!

2008-01-28T16:18:00.000-05:00

I am so glad for Obama, if only for continuing to offer hope in a world suffering a serious hope shortage.

And may you find even more hope and joy this day as we all keep on keeping on.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

happy birthday, ml!

2008-01-21T14:45:00.000-05:00

right now i am just kind of wrung out. much to do & must find focus.

how about these words to get us started:

"an individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."

as we reflect on & celebrate the insight, courage and wisdom of Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr, may you and i make a concerted attempt to rise above our narrow individualism and reach out to our sisters and brothers today and throughout this new year.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com
PS: in fact, making even a small donation to "Give them a sense of Pride" over at DonorsChoose.org [see thermometer] would certainly be a Dr. King Thing2Do today!

boo hoo.

2008-01-10T15:03:00.000-05:00

"i found my voice." indeed.

i found mine, too: GOBAMA, GO!

in other news...

remember my pal Anthony? Wellllllll...

In the category of Best Writing for a Dramatic Series he's just been nominated for an NAACP Image Award for his awesome work on "Lincoln Heights"/ "The Vision" [season 2 finale]

Now how awesome is that?

May you be thus inspired this day.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com
2/14 is on its way
so order your Valentine today!

Blind Spots

2008-01-04T13:47:00.000-05:00

If at fourth you don't succeed...

No *sigh* we did not pass our road test, but, yet again, thanks for asking. Again.

First / Second time:
dad just died. broken [me &] u was shaky and parallel parking was a mystery only half solved.

~ took a year off to settle nerves, find face & new driving school ~

Third time:
learned to rock the broken u & fairly well cracked the code of parallel parking. however, we failed to distinguish difference between stop for & ignore flashing lights on small school bus.

Fourth time:
k turn is still good, parking is even better, but even as i am now far more aware of the possibility of small blinking school busses--aware & awaiting them with cat-like readiness--it seems as if no one but my friend ami and my driving instructor will ever know how well i park & turn & handle the vehicle over all as i failed to yeild to phantom race car that neither my driving instructor nor i saw upon take off but was smilingly cited by my sweet wrenlike examiner as she etched F into what felt like my heart.

Fifth?
if i don't pass this soon coming tba next time, i'm gonna need at least a fifth. (and a slow boat to china...)

*sigh*

The blues ain't nothin
but a good
woman
feeling bad
about knowing
how 2 drive,
but not how 2 pass
the *&%!@
road
test!

pat yr foot to that, why don'tcha.

some divas are known to make their annual trip to the Carribean or Cuzco, whilst i, on the other hand am surely somewhere helping the local economy by giving liberally of money, time and no small amount of dignity by allllmost getting my driver's license.

the good news is i really have re-learned how to drive. the bad news is what i have described thus far. so, several handfulls of faux cheerios later, i type, as Duke describes my case so eloquently in Solitude.

in other news,

you need to see THE GREAT DEBATORS. full stop. just go. and take your teens & tweens with you.

what a moment in history: Oscar winners Mr. Denzel Wasington and Mr. Forest Whittaker produced by skillionaire Diva and Oscar nominee herself, Ms. Oprah Winfrey, star in critically & locally acclaimed film THE GREAT DEBATORS while Mr. Barak Obama wins in Iowa.

what a time this is, indeed.

ok. so maybe instead of burrowing deeply into my bed as the rotten scene of me not passing plays ad infinitum in my head, i will go to bible study & then set my face like flint and quietly endure the inquisition of invested friends. and then point them to this page.

but come what may, i remain...

Blessedly,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

ps: happy new year! we shall not be overcome!!

Ain't it About Time?

2007-12-29T11:56:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving! (Hope the turkey was tender...)
Happy Kwanzaa! (From umoja to imani...)
and a Blessed Christmas to you! (I hope your heart was/continues2b filled with great joy...)

What a year this has been!

From birthdaying in Brussels with Corinne Bailey Rae & dear east coast friends getting married [2/07], to fabulous college reunion [10/07] and dear west coast friends having twins [11/07] ...plus all that good stuff in the middle, like expanding soul & heart with my holy ghost crew and expanding my gift line over at blessedstarcards.com .

And then there were the doctors & doubt & exhaustion...o my!

I'm looking forward to a new and lovely 2008:
Less gunk, less junk.
More gems, more gratitude, more grace...
New visions coming to pass...
More strength, better health...
Working way smarter & not harder...
Being less money silly & more money wise...
&
Far more peace, freedom & joy on the journey...

Of course, everything I pray for me I pray for you.

Whomever you & I vote for, I pray they do well by us. We deserve it. And I pray that our country can get its moral center [which seems to have been replaced with some format of gooey nougat] back.

Let's continue to pray for Israel, Jerusalem, Palestine...Darfur...the Katrina Survivors...and all of our men & women on the battle field.

In fact, let's just keep fervent in prayer until we see the healing, compassion and redirection this world needs.

And, while we're at it, let's stay in pursuit of discovering the part we have to play to bring this to pass.

all things green & great in 2008
to you & yours!!

Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

Living in a Corn Maze / Diva Variations

2007-10-24T15:35:00.000-04:00

No, not cool and summer groovy like Frankie Beverly and Maze...

More like

why is it that every new and fabulous idea I have ends up taking up more and more space in my once divine domicile? I seem to remember a time when I could actually fling my arms wide in some place of the sun. Not now, lest my entire empire come a-clattering down like a nearly completed jenga tower after the swipe of a vengeful cat.

It's duskin down dark, people, so your DivaCardista needs to find her way to the City and back before Tyra has them skinny women flying through the air with the greatest of ease (and, of course, a relaxed face).

So as always, I wish you peace...and space!

Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

PS: You really can't keep a good woman down!
http://blacknews.com/pr/blessedstarcards101.html

THG life / i feel for you...

2007-10-09T13:56:00.000-04:00

Poor Marion.

I feel bad for her. To go so far, only to be dragged so far down.

The good news is, she is still young enough to rise from this scandal and do even greater things.

In fact she should be getting emails and phone calls of assurance from quite a few people who have been down the very same road she is travelling now.

Hugh Grant, Vanessa Williams, former President Clinton...and that cleptomaniacal actress who said she was stealing to get into character...y'all need to call Marion right about now. Tell her everything's gonna be all right afterwhile.

Anyhoo...

Did you hear? Chaka & yet another of Simon's favorites is gonna be in The Color Purple in 2008!

Now, to be honest, I had mixed feelings when I heard they were gonna be putting famous folk all up in the show, as if the show needed "fixing" or "hype" to sell it. As you know, your DivaCardista has seen the show and loved it already. But then I began to pray & it came to me: this might be a win win for all involved--the audience gets to see a perfectly lovely show AND some of their favorite stars, and the cast & crew get to keep their jobs [healthcare/dental/pension...] a bit longer, and the "star" folk get to strut their stuff in a whole new arena.

Ah, life gets better and better, does it not?

Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com
Fall Greeting Cards sale ends 10/13
don't sleep... :)

Like Them Who Dream...

2007-09-26T14:55:00.000-04:00

Happy Fall, y'all!

How's tricks? Hope all is well with you and those whom you love.

Aside from a brand new specialist milking me like Dracula's cow--let that image combo work on you for a moment or two--all is groovy like a ten cent movie. Plus, both lady doctor exams -- annual boob/cootch check -- came back normal. Thanks be to God!

Ladies, get your gear checked, ok? Promise? Ok. Good.

Yo, I was crazy on the fence about whether or not I should drop my mortgage money at Radio City last Tuesday. But that Concert was rich like grandma's gravy, so i would have been crazy not to.

After seeing the nicest liver doctor who has asked for the most plasma so far, it hit me, y'know? Like, is this living? Is this what I want to speak for me? And is there an award for most doctor visits in a year? Do I get some kind of prize for all of this skin popping and co-paying?

Or do I need to break out [or be clowned]?

So I began talking to my Savior, like, Lord what is up with this? This rut of a life that just five minutes ago was so ripe and bursting with promise? And, in a way that only God can, He sent me to a small church to pray and stretch my ears wide so I could hear Him good and clear.

He said, "you need to go see a Broadway show. like now." So I got up from the altar, jumped on the train and got off at 42nd & 8th.

As I approached Times Square en route to tkts, I see these three AfAm sisters, all fanning themself with Legally Blonde [funeral] fans.

Odd, right? I mean, big up to the PR folk over there to pull that deep from The Community!

Then four strides later I see three/four Latinas with the same hot pink paper fans.

Now, as my inner marketer is going, "what in the world...?", I am beginning to hear lots and lots of singing. In fact, I'm beginning to hear...show tunes!

My heart starts getting happy the louder and more decipherable the lyrics get because the Lord gave me my mandate to go see your first love, you need to go to Broadway on the very day of the annual Broadway on Broadway celebration! What?!?

The doing everythingbutperforming rut, the mourning for my Dad [two years ago this month] & good times past with my Mom [now in nursing home, two years] in our old house [sold, two years ago]...all kinda went *poof* as I stood in the middle of Times Square and joined a few thousand of my fellow citizens & theatre lovers in a rousing chorus of Greased Lightening.

I just got so light and happy. And if that were not enough, at the very end, they released the most colorful confetti you have ever seen. It just poured down like one big happy hippy dippy baptism.

And, believe me, my soul got drenched.

Once I got to the tkts booth, however, tiny wisps of sadness returned. This time for August Wilson. (Again.)

So after I finally decided to go head on and buy the tkts ticket for the excellent Curtains!, I went and ate happily at the Edison diner, where August sat, ate, ruminated and wrote some of the best text ever.

I won't go so far as to say that I felt August as I got my pre-matinee munch on, but your girl was feeling the Edison's way reasonably priced chicken on a bun. It was on point and had me feeling good all over again. I even ate my half pickle. (Yes, I got "The Deluxe".)

That was Sunday. And just two days later...mph mph mph!

Imagine a world where the carpets are so plush you could almost loose a shoe with each step, and then not miss the shoe until your foot hit cool & beautiful art deco marble.

Imagine a tribute to a history changing hero who, by stepping up to the plate & giving his very best ended up eternally elevating lives even though it cost him his own.

Imagine such a person with such posthumous inspirational power that voices from country to gospel to rap to rhythm and soul to classical thought it no less than an honor to share a stage for just one night...

If you can imagine this, you can begin to understand the supreme delight that was The Dream Concert!!

The Dream Concert, featuring just about every hot with the hotness vocal artist you can think of, was given as part of the fundraising mission to build the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial in Washington, D. C. So, not only was this a good reason to drop a benjamin or two, but the Concert itself was absolutely celestially wonderful.

And it was long.

Since your DivaCardista had a stockholders meeting in Harlem, USA in the am, then The Bloodening at noon, it was a long day's journey into night for your girl. Consequently when I got to my seat, I probably drifted off for a bit. Only to awaken to none other than Donnie McLurkin and the Boys/Girls Choir of Harlem opening the show.

So you know how high the bar had to have been with this as the opening act.

Then came Babyface. Then Santana. Then Bebe and Cece, Josh Stone, Garth Brooks, John Legend, Jessye Norman, Talib Kweli, Luda...

Crazy, right?

And as if all that were not enough, Mistra Stevie Wonderful himself came out to center stage. Lord have mercy! Then he had the audacity of bringing out our girl, India.Arie.

At this point I could have used one of those free pink fans they were handing out in Times Square. Or some straight up oxygen.

And to think: if I hadn't gone to that small church & jumped on that train or if I hadn't jumped off that downtown bus & cut through Rockefeller Center--if I hadn't jumped out of my rut-- I might have missed all of this.

Before the snow falls, I hope you check in with your first love.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com
fab fall sale 10-1 thru 10-13.
(don't sleep...)

Watch LINCOLN HEIGHTS 2 nite!

2007-09-11T10:17:00.000-04:00

Hey Mamasitas y los Papi Chulos,

Hope all is well on this 9/11 Day of Rememberance.

Wow. This is such a beautiful time of the year, but so much war talk and so much loss!

I almost can't believe Pavarotti is gone. But he was more than opera. He was all about music, no matter the genre. Peep these links if you think I lie. He was a baaad brother! Thank goodness for his legacy of excellence and passion.

In other news, this just in ...

from the up and coming writing genius of my most excellent pal Anthony--

... please tune in/TiVO/record/watch [and then email the producers and tell them how much you enjoyed]

LINCOLN HEIGHTS (ABC FAMILY network) tonight.
[His] first written episode of the 2nd season airs [2 nite!!] Tuesday, September 11th at 8pm. Or 7pm if you're in the Central Time zone. Please check your tv guide or cable scroll for the ABC Family channel in your area. The episode is
entitled "The Peacemaker".

And don't we need some peace right about now! Peace upon Israel... Peace upon Jerusalem... Peace upon Louisiana... Peace upon Darfur and all of Africa... Peace upon Mississippi... Peace upon Pakistan... Peace upon Haiti... Peace upon India... Peace in the Middle East... Peace in the Northeast...Peace in the Midwest... Peace on Broadway, Bollywood and Hollywood, Father God... Let's have more peace-writers and peace-actors and peace-agents and, good God, peace-producers...Peace be upon these United States, O God... Let us be united in a heartfelt desire for peace... Peace for the women & for the men, Lord... Peace upon the elder and the babies, Father... Peace for our present and our future... Peace for where you live, dear reader...

Not just the absence of war, but real & lasting peace is what I pray for on this day.

And if on 9/11 you lost a loved one, friend, co-worker, neighbor or even a classmate from back in the day, your DivaCardista and the blessedstar cards family wishes you peace and God's comfort this day.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

Drop that Beat / RIP

2007-08-16T15:46:00.000-04:00

Just learned of the passing of definitive rhythm master Max Roach.

We thank you for your legacy of sound and dynamic style.

Peace and comfort to Daryl, Raoul, Maxine, Ayl and Dara and all of those who knew him well.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
www.blessedstarcards.com

Lost in the Sauce

2007-08-07T10:17:00.000-04:00

We are emerging, gently emerging, from too much "yes!" and o so little "no".

Too much "I'd love to/of course i'll join your group/.org/ministry/guild/board/initiative" which always blossoms into two subcommittees and three tacitly understood volunteer "opportunities"...each. (Add to that the nasty grind of *!%*&^# Medicaid for Mama ...ouch.)

Yes, honey. Had to turn off the TV and have us a good few plenary sessions with our own Divaself and prayerfully rediscover why we were clocking 12 and 14hour days with nary a poem nor a rewrite, neither sketch nor scribble to show for it!

"I'd love to..." What kind of love is this? that doesn't include you!

In short: re-discovering & then minding the business of my life just came off the back burner, baby.

As La Bassey tells me daily and even now as we speak, "we've got a lot of living to do!" which is hard to accomplish if you are always hunkered down in this war room or t'other thrashing out best practices and language and politics and ...well ...essentially ... crap that has little or nothing to do with why you were sent to this Glorious Orb in the first place.

Saying clear, firm yet loving "no, i won't go with you to the second crime scene" enough times has begun to save my mind, rescue my creativity and wrest my divine energy from the hands of those who, with my good will, ample help, generosity and permission, are & have been getting their goals accomplished beautifully...while mine founder.

Now your DivaCardista is not regretful of anything we've done, nor are we blaming or anti-anyone with whom we've journeyed toward their goals. Not at all. (Matter of fact, when we get our wind back, probably be ready f'more ...but not until. And, certainly, not as much or as often...)

Because, after all, it's not been all bad, we've learned a lot, o my how we've grown ...blah blah blah...

Just ready to get it started over here, is all I'm sayin', where I stay, where I revel and domineer, once again re-balanced and back on track and before this beautiful, dangerously steamy, longed for summer becomes memory.

Not even saying you haven't heard this before, but because it can happen so stealthily and, over time, repeatedly, this giving and renting out pieces of you and your passionate, delicate self, I write today.

And if this helps you even a bit, holla atcha grrl DivaC.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
www.blessedstarcards.com

in the heat of heat

2007-08-02T18:03:00.000-04:00

chillin with some way superonionated guacamole & rob base (it takes two).

had killer workout with personal trainer & am seriously rockin the k turn in the land they call brooklyn. mercy me! turn up the thermostat & the brooklynites will really show you where it's at...and where it ain't.

For instance: in other parts of the planet, when you say double parked, you usually mean that there are two cars temporarily parked parallel to one another about five/six inches apart, thus making the driving area left that much more narrow. But in The Land They Call Brooklyn, double parking really means

you shouldn't even be stepping to me talking bout no mofo driving school and raggedy &^% law, imma stop where i please and today me and my friends happen to want to stop dead in the middle of the road. Now run tell dat!

Ah, life...

Saw a brother on the train eating an open faced wish sandwich. (Whole grain.)

Saw the chocolate thunder and the cinematic wonder that is Don Cheadle in his latest, "Talk to Me". This film is a triumph. Not just because it is so very excellent--from casting to cinematography to Blanchard's sound design--but because it is so rare that we get to see such a range of African American talents showcased on the big screen. Yes, there is quite a bit of language and some sexuality, but the story is what is featured here, not a bunch of profanity and sweat masking weak storytelling. Quite the opposite. It is funny, touching and provocative.

Check it out.

Stay hydrated in these August days of much hotness.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

Choose DonorsChoose.org!

2007-07-19T18:58:00.000-04:00

if you want the chance to do something GREAT for public school kids, the fab-u organization DonorsChoose.org ,which was "conceived [by Charles Best] in the cafeteria of a Bronx public high school", is for you!

They are trying to win millions for our kids--and here's where you [American Express Card holders] can help:

~~~~
Last week, we made the Top 50 of the American Express Members Project. Now we’re in the Top 25, and it’s time to vote once more.
You are critical to winning up to $5 million for public school classrooms, so please vote now for our submission:
"Teachers Ask. You Choose. Students Learn."
If you voted last week, your vote this round will take about 30 seconds. If you’re voting for the first time, registration will take a couple minutes and you can refer to these simple instructions.
This round of voting ends in tomorrow. On behalf of the thousands of schoolchildren whom you could impact, thank you for voting now.

Sincerely,
Charles Best and the DonorsChoose Team

P.S. Please reply to this email with the word "Yes" so that we can thank you for voting. We will not email you again unless we make it to the Top 5 finals.

P.P.S. Please forward this email to all your friends, asking them to vote for us at this critical moment!
~~~~
Vote for our children.
Be the "citizen philanthropist" you were born to be.
Pray for peace.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

summer movies!!

2007-07-17T12:26:00.000-04:00

Hey there!

Just a midday holla to let you know that you really should see the fantastical animated gem that is Ratatouille!

No, you don't need to have Michael's Ben as your ringtone to be into this kind of film.

While it is rather photo-realistic, shall we say, about all things rodential, Ratatouille is hysterically reverential about what it takes to really pursue your heart's truest desire.

And, Lord have mercy, if Paris-centric humor makes you smile and/or if you can at least scramble an egg, you should have seen this twice by now.

What a beautiful & funny grown up animated film.

And, before it leaves your DivaCardista's mind, do rent/find Surf's Up. That's another bit of animated genius that's way better than you will have anticipated.

Pray for peace.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

it's hard to keep a good woman down

2007-07-11T13:47:00.000-04:00

i'm here jammimg to classic Queen Latifah [and her "European partner"] & thanking the good Lord for a good breeze in a week noted for its 90+ degree weather. Whooeee.

taking a break to holla bout the happy phenomenon that I've noticed in my heavy Broadway viewing of late--

sisters are holding it down!

from Tonya Pinkins to Angela Landsbury and Marian Seldez to Fantasia (by way of Oprah), whether it's magical thinking you're after or if you just need it to rain real bad since, after all, it's 110 in the Shade, it's a sister thing happnin on the great white way.

Welcome into my Queendom, come one come all...

110 in the Shade
when we found our seats at Studio 54 last week to see "110 in the Shade", we could barely contain ourselves whenever Diva Audra McDonald spoke, much less sang. mercy. the cast is excellent, but Audra is extraordinary. really.

spring awakening
one of the few reasons to sit through the too many Tony Award-winning teen sex / masturbation musical set in bad old Germany (so that makes it ok, right? it's all about the setting, after all...) is newcomer and LaGuardia Arts High School student Lilli Cooper. nice strong voice, good acting, and very pretty. she'll do well, i'm sure.

ok. i was clearly not in the demographic intended for this show, as i spent many a moment looking as far away from the dead center stage action--eww--as possible...but, i did actually appreciate [well deserved Tony winner] bill t jones' choreography/stage movement, and the set design, and, shoot, the costumes, and, dare i say it, even the performers, just not the "eww" factor that had the teens & tweens totally enraptured, titillated [as Chester Himes would say] and absolutely giddy. how do i know this? we could hear them giggling during the sexual scenes and stomping and hooting during the tremendous applause, especially at show's end.

this very same factor, by the by, had the other half of the audience--we who are nobody's prude but just don't necessarily need to see a teenage boy lose his whole hand inside of a teenage girl to get the fact that they are finna "do it", as twere--leaving the theatre as swiftly as possible at show's end, making eye contact with no one as if to say, let us never speak of this again.

made me wish i had Tyler Perry on speed dial. (Madea wda beat every child on that stage.)

the color purple
interestingly enough, my church sisters were down the street to see Ms. Fantasia in "The Color Purple" at the same time i was watching those intensely irritated girls sing well and frantically stomp about their mamas who bore them. go see this show! i've only heard amazing things about what Fantasia brings to an already fabu show.

grey gardens
dang. missed it. but not for lack of trying...

spamalot
you want to have a fun evening of theatre? go see this happy hodgepodge of in-jokes, Monty Python references and sight gags. just go. you know you need a laugh. and Marin Mazzie is just pure-d funny. [of course, the d stand for Diva!]

and, speaking of divas...

radio golf
now, your DivaCardista initially went to see this piece because of our alumNoir hero pal and brilliant star Harry Lenox, but stayed because...well...in significant part because this was August's last piece. I tell you, every time I see the Hotel Edison--where he took many a meal and wrote many a brilliant theatrical scene--I get all wistful. August was the man. (more about him in another post.) but radio golf stands well and is an excellent show. i wish Diva Tonya Pinkins had more to do, as she did in "Caroline, or Change" or even "Wild Party", but she takes the scenes that she has and, as always, works them well.

ahhh...it's a great time for theatre, y'all. whatever your flavor.

enjoy the day.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

throwing elbows & such

2007-06-28T09:17:00.000-04:00

"Take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or love one's life.

Because of recent abductions in daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation ..."

Have you gotten an email that starts like this? Well let me introduce you to snopes.com.

snopes is your friend, people. If you have recently received "Nine Tips" from one of your dear e-buddies, rather than throwing elbows and wallets at various perceived predators, peep the link.

As always, snopes will give you clarity and help you separate the wheat from the chaff.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

zapnin!

2007-06-19T16:19:00.000-04:00

just thought i'd take a break from prep for an end of the week blessedstarcards.com vendor opportunity on Saturday--yay! but sheesh!--and say howdy y'all!

hope all is super well.

so glad it's summertime i don't know what to do!

love just throwing on a 1/4 lb. of cloth, grabbing my keys and a coupla Jacksons and out the door! now, that's what i call liberation.

speaking of which...

your DivaCardista finally got herself some wheels!

holla if you, too, are loving the SUV life! my initial intention was to get myself a sweet lil Toy-yota, but then this pretty lil SUV just caught my heart, let me tell you. Her name is Baybee. And, Lord have mercy, with all the pure-d stress that i have had to endure just to get something as quotidian as a doggone car, you would have thought I was trying to adopt an Eritrean orphan child! SO much we have gone through since last we spoke. Mph mph mph. but Baybee is mine now, tags and all.

now... all we need to do is learn how to park and rock the K turn without blemish or flaw. (Pray my strength!)

and, yes, they have finished mashing my insides around and draining off my life fluids for a while because--yay!--they didn't find a n ything rare or terribly disturbing going on inside. Thank you Lord!

now we just have to make our annual LadyDr. appointments and we will be straight re: the medical professionals in my life.

oh, and I joined a gym! the Good Lord built one right on the corner, as in: no matter what i do in the neighborhood i have to pass it anyway, so i may as well git in where i fit in...before i can't fit no more (clothes, furniture, public/private transport...)

got me a trainer and everything.

now how blessed is that?

now, you take care of your lovely self as well, ok? promise?

Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

PS: HAPPY [142ND ANNIVERSARY OF] JUNETEENTH!

Mira! Usted necesita ver "In The Heights"!!

2007-05-08T10:27:00.000-04:00

Yo...

(it's a lotta slashes coming, ok? but it's just because...oooh...read on...)

If you have to wear a Starbucks patch for the next month, do it. If you have to miss the next sale at SYMS/Barneys/BabyPhat/Modells, do it. If you have to make eyes at the tkts salesperson, mami/mi'ijo, do it. Do whatever you have to do to see this hot with the hotness musical play.

Yes, I went to see it initially because my Diva girlfriend is in the show and your DivaCardista was reaching the unspoken limit on how many times you can tell another Diva

I'm coming to see your show soon,
fa reeah doe...

--and this past Sunday was the "due date" for soon--so, yes, I went because of my friend, but I stayed because

********"In The Heights" is hot to death! *********

Omigoodness.

Who should/must see this show:

If you are under the age of 95, you should see this show.

If you are under the age of 45, you really should take your peeps to see this show.

If you have ever watched the Puerto Rican Day parade [on TV]....

If you like hip hop even a little bit...

If you are kinda nice on the mic...

If you got the essence of "West Side Story" & "Soul Food" &...

If, whenever you see "Meet Me In St. Louis", you think: what would that be like con Dominicanos...

If you have/had an abuelita...

If you took Spanish in the seventh grade...

If you live/have ever lived or even been above 96th Street...

If you have ever been walking down the street and, seeing somebody spinning on his head on a cardboard box mashed flat, stopped to watch [in awe]...

If you can get down with some pan dulce and arroz con pollo even though your people are from Roanoke, Virginia...

If you are a classically trained dancer with a booty...

If you sometimes stand transfixed at the beauty of a NYC bridge at twilight...

If you are yet and still looking for the perfect beat...

If you have ever attempted to pop and/or lock...

If you love musicals...

If you have a pulse...

If you've ever been in love...

If you vowed never again after seeing that poetic bait&switch barrage of expletives that had some of the city's biggest reviewers all in a lather while you wanted to wash your mind with soap, all the while wishing that someone would one day be bold and skillful enough to unite hip hop & theatre...

If you haven't seen a show in a while because no one seems to tell you/show you anything new and if you see/hear about one more all white revival you swear you may commit a crime, go see this show.

Your heart will thank you.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
www.blessedstarcards.com

Tilapia & Me (a fish tale)

2007-04-25T18:24:00.000-04:00

Just after I bless my food, I hear this raspy little voice:

"Don't get the coffee. It's 2.25."

Excuse me? I ask, as I am not only a tea lover but currently have a 14 inch tall glass of water in front of me. I am neither thinking nor drinking coffee.

She was a small woman with shocks of amber hair styled in a small sea of tiny swirls. She wore a London Fog trench coat. She looked frail.

"Now, I don't even know if you like coffee," she began, "but Dunkin Donuts has good coffee." She pauses for emphasis, looking disgustedly at her narrow brown mug. "And you're certainly not gonna pay 2.25 for it." She lowers her voice two more decibels while covering her mouth with the margharita menu. "Can you believe this place? Now, my shrimp were delicious, with the baby spinach, but 2.25 for this? I could see 1.50, 2 bucks, but 2.25? Come on..." she said, clearly indicating not only the crime & the cup, but the very incredulity of it all.

"I asked for another piece of garlic bread...fifty cents! I mean..." she trailed off. "Thank God water is still free." We both had to laugh. "What'd you get?"

Tilapia, I said. It's on the Weight Watchers menu. Three grams of fat.

"Oh," she said. "Fish."

It's spicy, but nice.

"Oh yeah? Mine was good too, except I didn't have near as much shrimp as I'd like. What can you do. Everything is more expensive these days. But my shrimp was good."

I began to eat again. She stood to leave a tip and button her coat. She smiled wistfully.

"You have a nice evening. It was nice talking to you."

You too, I said.

"And be sure to try the Duncan Donuts coffee."

I will I said. I will.

Single Divas eating solo: 1
Lonliness: zip

(And may you also eat good in your neighborhood this rainy spring day.)

Blessings,
DivaCardista
www.blessedstarcards.com
5/13 is right around the corner...

85 Degrees?!? Shut up...!

2007-04-23T09:35:00.000-04:00

OK, so the "shut up" part doesn't look so great all printed out, but...

I just want to celebrate the first proper sunny Monday of Spring!

And I want to say how happy, awed and proud we are that the
courageous Viginia Tech students are making their way back
to campus.

May we continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

Have a great day.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
www.blessedstarcards.com
clik da link for the
Mother's Day Sale
this week!

Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (so hold on)

2007-04-21T09:42:00.000-04:00

Ok. Quick howdy do to you! Now for some quick old/new stuff right off the dome:

Not only is it not raining -- I mean, I get the whole "May Flowers" connection, but c'mon! -- it is SUNNY on this here mornin! Whooeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
If you ever get the chance, make your way to see La DIVA, "the original DreamGirl", our Ms. Sheryl Lee Ralph's opus Sometimes I Cry. Oh my goodness. You will not regret it. It will make you rethink your position on all things political and deeply personal when it comes to AIDS. And, yes, you will laugh and cry. If you think you love the Diva Artiste that Ms. Sheryl is, wait till you sit and spend some time with the ACTIVIST she has allowed herself to become. Radiant, charming, and catalytic.

And get the t-shirt. She designed it herself. Now THAT'S a Diva.

Let's see... what else...
For my sisters on the journey with DivaCardista [brothers too, if you really want to "get" us fabulous Diva gems] please read Showing Mary by the inimitable, witty, for real, down-by-law Bible Scholar, educator, sister girlfriend Renita J. Weems. She, too, is a radiant revelation not to be missed.
And my taxes --thank you Mr. Govemint Man for the "Biblical Rain" extension!--are DONE. Thank you Lord!!
OK. Now I gots ta see my "That's So Raven".
but before i go...

For all the sad and lonely, deep and misunderstood folk reading this:

pleaseplease live like a Millionaire and phone a friend when you feel like you can't take it anymore. Skip the gunshop and
find yourself a good church home,
find yourself a compassionate counsellor,
find somebody to listen to you and give you blessed, uplifting counsel.
Pray! That's why God is t/here, just to hear and help us. [And He's open 24hrs...]
Read a good book and share what you read with somebody. Un/fortunately the days of instant friendship pretty much gets phased out after the first few days of Kindergarten. And then each & every one of us therefore are charged with the mission of finding and making friends.
Go to the library and read up on how people make friends.
[No, everyone else is not conceited, stuck up, stupid, fake, a liar, or a skanky backstabber. It just seems that way sometimes. And if we are, well...pray for us and then give us a wide berth until we grow into our better selves.]
Making a few good genuine friends is not impossible, though it is hard sometimes. So en route to finding flawed but actually good people [which is most of the planet] do
learn to love your wondeful self while you are on the friendship journey.
Develop your skills which help people and bless the planet, whether that's in sports, business, the arts, or something brand new. But please...at the very least,
promise yourself that today [& tomorrow] you will live if only to honor you and
hold on...

Oh...you know the rest.

And you know why.

I just pray that we all can do our best to

stay peaceful and evergreen.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
www.blessedstarcards.com
Make Ma Happy on 5/13
Order your Mother's Day Cards
while supplies last...
auiiite?

Roscoe Lee Browne?!?

2007-04-17T12:05:00.000-04:00

Awww, man!

We are sad to know that this Thespian Most Royal has gone from our sphere.

Didn't you just love him as The Voice in "Babe"?

Especially as a classically trained performing artiste in this gloomy era of

Eat That Bug, M@#%$#&^*#@*!

entertainment, your DivaCardista loved to be able to look to him
every so often to bring that certain grace and dignity to performance,
be it comedy, dramedy, tragedy or whatever-dy.

Aww, man.

Right about now in this era of violence, confusion, embarrasment & shame,
war for no reason, "truth" played back as "treason", and random greasy
nakedness that reveals nothing, we could use a few more like him.

Brother Roscoe, we miss you already.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
www.blessedstarcards.com

just so you know...

2007-04-10T09:21:00.000-04:00

While your DivaCardista controls many things...

the interesting folk just above who claim that

they can help you access wealth, love, riches, fame, glory & a sparkling credit report if you just breathe through your authentic self and beleeeeeeeeev and buy their four step program of superdedupernatural healing for just $99.95...

um...

just so you know...

that ain't me, y'all.
and
by the by

ain't no secret
to what
Jesus can do...

free of charge.
ok???
ok.

live in peace y'all.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
www.blessedstarcards.com

PS: except for the worship song lyrics link. that's looks pretty cool! check that one out!!

Viva la Saved Sisterhood!

2007-04-02T11:55:00.000-04:00

Just came back from a wonderfully clarifying, energizing, catylizing and empowering women's conference with my church sisters and all of our good girlfriends from across the country and around the world. Mmm mmm mmm! Just so great to get away and worship Jesus & study His word and challenge ourselves anew to manifest His great goodness all over this here terrestrial ball.

In fact, one of the super duper highlights/manifestations of the weekend journey [as in the best antidote for all talk and no action making for empty worship and a meaningless spiritual walk every so often punctuated/interrupted by ersatz "holy" calisthenics, holla if you feel me] was when your DivaCardista joined with her sisters in the gorgeous ballroom of the Philadelphia Marriott to raise over 60 thousand dollars for the deliverance of our sisters caught up in the absolute horror and shame that is Darfur.

60K+! Now how meaningful & truly awesome is that?

Blessedly, the Co-Pastor of my church is a long time friend and colleague of the Co-Pastor of Bethel AME Church in Boston (as well as a pediatrician at the South End Community Health Center). Her name is Rev. Gloria E. White-Hammond, M.D. The organization we were blessed to join our faith and financial resources with is hers and it is called

My Sister's Keeper

http://www.mskeeper.org/site/

Check them out and make a donation. It will do your heart & soul good.

Enjoy this April day and may your Holy Week be blessed.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
www.blessedstarcards.com
ps:
need a lovely lil Easter card?
buy 1 and get 1 free, girlfriend!
just stop by the site by 4/4/07,
and mention code lilDIVA4easter.

Bowlegged Lu...[pus]?

2007-03-23T09:09:00.000-04:00

"Please God, I've got enough character today...." --Oprah (one rough morning)

OK. So this week has been much to do about my immune system. And lots of blood spun. And well paid medicos going hmmm...

You know, like when Grandpa Simpson has the other old guy's beard caught in the pencil sharpener? Or when Lisa gets gum stuck in her hair?

It's been like that, kinda.

Or like doing a tap solo to "Put on a Happy Face", while some mean kid/stage manager is throwing pebbles/marbles at your feet.

We go for...*sigh*...more testing on Tuesday.

But, thank God for God & our sweet friends & the Internet. (Mostly God.)

Oh, snap. Are they sure? Oh...they think this is what you got...hmmm... clik clik clik Well,you know we will be
praying for you, right? clik clik clik Oh, hey...
this site says Seal had that when he was a kid, and now he's singing his song loud and strong. Therefore, so will you.
&
Just like that time Oprah went bald from that bad perm and now
she got more hair than Mr. Andre know what to do with.
You are going to make it, you hear me?

and

God has not brought you this far to leave you. We will walk this walk, together,
ok? Don't you worry now...

"Don't cry, keep singing." —Bob Marley

Let's see what else...

Went straight fr Les Docteurs to my HairDo-ist, whom your DivaCardista did not tell as we do not need to carry on/to carry ourself as if we don't have an enormously blessed life and muchmuchmuch to be thankful for. (Thank you Jesus for LIFE!!)

As I waited [four hours?!?] to be washed/conditioned/greased/blown/singed/pressed/clipped/spritzed/curled/n/wrapped (you know, with those big giant colorful hair pins sold only in AfricanAmerica), I made myself busy reading all 78 new ways to wear patent leather, macramae & sunbeam yellow this season, not to mention the manymany ways to wear bronzer and/or drive my man wild. (Them fashion folk need to s t o p!)

Then I came home in the rainy darkness of the night and bought myself some sunbeam yellow daffodils.

Life is good.

Happy Spring, y'all.

Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

Don't Call it a Comeback

2007-03-06T17:19:00.000-05:00

Dearest Ones, I have been blogging in my head now for about three months. And all of those "astral entries" were witty, refreshing and astoundingly prescient, not to mention on point. But for those of you who cannot beam into my head and dig the display on my soul's flatscreen, you will just have to trust me. You would have laughed until you cried while learning just a little more about this thing we call life.

Ah, me...

One of the high water moments for me last year was when I was charged to pre-pay for my mother's funeral, which included selecting and purchasing my mother's coffin and paying for the band who will play after the service. (Mind you: mother was then and, thankfully, is now yet alive. Marinate on that.) My high water mark thus far for 2007 was attending the breathtakingly lovely wedding of my best friend with whom I had gone to elementary school and junior high.

She is still a size 7. (You go, girl.) Now, I know, empowered Divas who are living golden and too blessed to be stressed yada yada yada should not be buying into the perpetual message that mere weight loss or weight maintenance is something we should be waving like a doggone flag...but on my planet it is kinda groovy being able to even hang with someone who has been the same size since seventh grade.

Let's see...what else? Oh, yes: it is positively Nordic up here in the City of AllThingsFabulous. 12 degrees this morning. Lord have mercy. Stayed in bed just about all day, watching Curious George and expanding my oevure. Just sketching and drawing all the livelong day. Readying myself for Spring, doncha know.

Had to go to Le Docteur yestiddy and, you know, when they sign you in they ask "occupation", we find that a bit frustrating, because DivaCardista is a multifaceted artiste, after all, and what occupies her is life itself. But if you say something like

"we are a student and champion of man and womankind. Babies, too. We weep when
there is war, we dance when there is peace and we are occupied with making all
these things poetic and harmonius--or not-- through the miracle media of ink,
graphite, white linen, water colour, Holy Writ and the occasional Negro
Spiritual. We pray, we sketch, we meditate, we sing, we replenish, we moan, we
bear down, we bring forth. We occupy ourselves with creation so that others may
be edified."

you will be put out and the piece of paper upon which your online health insurance data has been downloaded will be shredded without ceremony or afterthought. So, instead, when the lady asked "occupation", I said

"artis",

figuring that my adding the "-te" might pushing the envelope a tad.

Bopped on over to Brussels for my bday -- yay!-- to see my grrrl Corinne Bailey Rae in Feb. Aside from the super short time we were there, it was great being somewhere else, even if it was just for a moment.

She is a powerhouse, in her lil easter dress. I so appreciated going to a concert that didn't make me feel like I needed to pray all the way there and all the way home just because of all the potty mouth and potty songwriting. Don't let the press and curl fool you: this chick can blow! She can sing her heart out all the while encouraging yours. Girfriend not only put her records on, she had the nerve to sing her some Jimi Hendrix! Just wonderful.

And if you've never traveled this way, I'd recommend it. It's kind of fun, being in a whole other place where you've never been while jamming to the grooves of new artists that you love or would like to know better.

And there is nothing like live music!

Only thing: I wouldn't recommend good Christian folk to go to the land of beer and chocolate during Lent. You'll only break your heart. (Got places over there, make Willy Wonka's factory look like a crackhouse.)

Well, of course, there's more, but that's all for now.

Stay Peaceful.

Happy Women's History Month!!

Blessings,
DivaCardista
blessedstarcards.com

Gucci Gums

2006-12-06T19:45:00.000-05:00

Ok. So maybe the goal of "daily-ish" has lost its lustre for this temporarily dentally daunted yet ever divine Diva. (But I figured I'd better write something before Dick Clarke began his mike check, if ya know what i mean...)

Last we spoke it was all about one of the results of making my nuveau trustifarian lifestyle hold true to the goal annual philanthropy. Now? Due to several decades of lackadasical encounters with dental floss & hard living on the run, it's all about learning to love oatmeal, bananas & tylenol anew. Oy.

Imagine my shock turned acceptance after waking up at 4am on Friday (Hello December!) with a mouth full of blood (think: Black Dahlia poster), which required an immediate 9am revisit a mi dentista, who was more than willing to remedy my situation begun a mere 24hrs prior with several more whipstitches, from back to front and tied with what looks/tastes like about four more tiny black bows along my gumline.

What did I do during those five hours between discovering my erstwhile dryer-fresh pink satin pillowcase smeared with my own personal hemoglobin & gurling my concern to the dental tech/office workers over the phone at 8:57am that morning? Worked on [what turned out to be smudged & unsaleworthy] cards till i fell back asleep, of course.

But as soon as I got the word, there was your fashion forward though bleary eyed DivaCardista in a lovingly slept in black t-shirt and soft fuzzy pink patterned anti-sweat pants in which she works & sleeps & imagines lands unknown plus a black hat, boots & coat back on the train with a gentle crush of upscale nine-to-five-then-drinks folk.

"Too much. Too many people, too much. Huh huh huh huh."

Not to mention that I was to be on a bus to a spiritual retreat with a bunch of Jesus loving folk who were not so spiritual as to allow late comers to hijack their 12noon ETD. So duly suctioned and stitched, I got back to my boro, changed into "going to a spiritual retreat" clothes, took a cab to the bus, and off we went.

On time & eggggzausted. But I did get "rest for my soul".

(Big up to my bible quotin'/soup totin' roomate who took care of me when i cdnt.)

So now its me & Sassy "above the blue and windy sea", working out the best way to get back to the passion of life.

Upcoming:

more integrated card sale related data here for you unique & beautiful people...
poetry as it comes...re:
feelings stirred by "trigger happy polices"
ma
body & soul
da holidays (but of course)

war & peace

"Are you pretending/ it looks like the ending?" Sassy asks.

Let's hope not. Sheesh. Enough.

Let's make with the eggnog & The HoneyMooners Marathon already.

Hope it's been peaceful where you are.

Holiday Blessings,
DivaCardista

PS: You need a fabulous holiday card? Check www.blessedstarcards.com.

Mention code DivaC & get a FREE card with any three holiday cards purchased. Ho ho ho!!!

The Color Purple? Hell Yes!

2006-09-19T12:04:00.000-04:00

Your DivaCardista just got calm enough to type after seeing the perfectly lovely Broadway show (at the Broadway Theatre) The Color Purple. And if you and all of your friends haven't, you simply must.

First of all, we -- DivaCardista and her 40 new best friends from The Hotchkiss School -- saw the matinee this past Sunday and what a time we had.

Then, the Lord blessed [through a friend of a friend who just happened to be the Director of The Color Purple] so that we were able to get a backstage tour after the show.

Now just how fabulous is that?

And, let me tell you: for this to be a fairly understudy-heavy performance,
those understudies held it down! They did the doggone thing! Bravo! Brava!

And that ensemble is simply too marvelous for words.

And how humble is Lou Myers?

Simply listed as Ol' Mister in the Playbill and "just" part of the Ensemble online, muli-talented, multi-lingual Lou Myers, the man whom DivaCardista has loved since he came in to the Huxtable household talking about his onion sandwich & then went on to fry up onions and tough love in A Different World, could have "demanded" more in terms of billing & "star treatment", but saw the big picture (I bet) and decided to get in where he fit in. So although Mr. Myers had just about a scene and a half altogether...BrotherMan took those three/four lines and two/three entrances and worked them, doyouhearme?

More can learn from he.

Onliest thing that I would change would be to put some elevators up in that mug! Bad enough that large groups have to wait six months or more to get tickets, which, actually, we are really happy about because it means all them superdupertalented on&off stage folk remain employed in the telling of an important series of stories first woven so beautifully by Mz. Alice Walker & re-rendered so truly by Mz. Marsha Norman,

but for those patrons who are neither decathelets nor in posession of crampons & grappling hooks, those staircases can be a bit much.

Yet, even with that having been said, especially since I can't get the score out of my head, even if you have to wait, even if you have to climb for a while, even if it cuts into your Starbucks budget a bit, just go.

Your soul will thank you.

Blessings,
DivaCardista

Can This Be Real? (You Down wit OPP?)

2006-09-14T10:22:00.000-04:00

Since I like to keep in touch, though busy as a mug, here are a few of the things that pass through a Diva's mind on a rainy Thursday (in no particular order):

Them Fancy Feast InFauxMercials!:

Um, it is me, or

a) are we treating cats better than we treat our own mothers on Mother's Day?
Think about it:
when was the last time you had gourmet salmon & shrimp? On crystal, no less?
(And no, Chicken of the Sea on a White Rose paper plate doesn't count.)

b) shouldn't there be some cat food ad with

50% more field mouse!

somewhere on the label? (I'm just tryin to keep it real, gnome sayin?)

"Maybe I'll Whip You [if You Misbehave?]":

Whip Appeal? Perchance. Let it Whip? OK. (great beat, easy to dance to...) DivaCardista will even let the perennial favorite slide: Lovely Aisha's phonic contusion which promts the oft quoted

"sound like she said sound like she said
Beat Me"

as heard over Mr. Wonder's happy "Isn't She Lovely" harmonica solo.

But, not to be all 1865 about it...

Am I really supposed to be cool with a stage full of beautiful brown people harmonizing and soulfully making music to support a white guy riffin & runnin himself into an r&b froth over & over again about the possibility of a [tee hee] whipping (of any description) following the probability of his lover's misbehavior?

"Most records sold" quoth Ms. DeGeneris. Hmm. Looks to me like "Sexy" needs to go Back and read HEmotions or go see The Color Purple so he can hear Sofia's message loud and clear:

I love Harpo, God knows I do. But I'll kill him dead
before I let him or anybody beat me.
or to quote the DivaCardista Director's Cut of Love Story
"Love means never having to say
Whip me
and
I Will Cut You."
& finally (for now)
When Kofi Speaks, Folk Should Listen:

When this thoughtful, reserved, wise, even-tempered, erudite man talks about
...er... Our Persia Problem & starts to sound like Usher

"People screamin it won't work
Time and time [you] say
I'm gonna leave
But [you] can't let [this] go..."

we all best be scheduling some extra prayer time tonight!

Blessedly,
DivaCardista

Yearning to Breathe Free

2006-09-01T11:14:00.000-04:00

Ah, September! That special time of year when a Diva's mind turns to feverish thoughts of just how are we gonna get Ma on @*&% Medicaid!!

And if you've not journeyed down the sweet and [mil]dewy paper trail that leads one to Medicaid Lane, well, darling, you simply must.

But enough about the seeming infinity of data that flutters round as we endeavor to catch up. Let's be about the actual Catching Up, shall we?

Just before these delightfully white walls began to close in on my person, DivaCardista opted to break out (or be clowned) and began her inaugural Friendship Tour!

Both delight and psychophysiospiritual necessity, my tour loosed me from the Atlantic and led me clear across to the Pacific and those fantastic Hollywood Hills. Thank you Lord, for, you see, once the wheels of that jumbo jet touched the tarmac, my shackles broke and my spirit was set free.

And didn't your DivaCardista play La Tourista to the hilt. We went to the Rose Garden, The Science Museum, saw our first IMAX film (scared me half to death, everything just about to eat everything else...thank you, Mr. Brad Pitt aka The Narrator...next time, warn us about the grizzliness about to ensue up under the beautiful blue, ok?), wove through USC campus, went to a fierce wrap party for my multitalented Television Writer pal Anthony (held in some delightfully offbeat architectural oddity that looked like The Goth Hilton)...and, most importantly, spent time with my fantastic friends at their gorgeous home with a kidney shaped pool and, yes, room for a wee pony.

Speaking of which, I really loved waking to the pitter patter of two and a half year old feet. Said feet belong to none other than wee Diva Olivia Pearl, my friends' pride & joy. And did she and I have a blast! My favorite part was when we fingerpainted together. Now that was great, as it has been a minute since I've worked in that medium. She is truly a bright light in this world and I am so glad to have finally met her.

During my stay in LA -- just three nights/four days, because of the whole fish & house guest theory -- my friends & I had the happy opportunity to see fantastic Miss Fantasia just doing it right in the record-breaking Lifetime special "Life is Not a Fairy Tale". Mph mph mph! What a wonderful piece. She and Miss Debbie Allen did the doggone thing! And the fantastically ubiquitous Miss Loretta Devine (whom, I am happy to say, I also saw last night on "Everybody Hates Chris" as Chris' maternal grandma) better just go on with her badd self.

And then it was off to see my goodfolk in the Midwest.

Rolled up in Chicago, feeling all kinda good from LA only to experience new delights in the truly new & improved downtown Chicago. Got to see the amazing outdoor sculpture known as The Bean; The jazz was just great; the beach was...well, janky, but still enjoyable as my entrepreneurably lovely galpal Ally took me past it and onto my first (drumroll please) totally tricked out sailboat! (And I helped!) Learned a bit about rigging & physics all whilst chilling in the middle of the freshwater pond known as Lake Michigan.

I even got to see my Chicago alma mater and one of my dear professors, who is gently recovering from a bit of a fall.

Dear folk, all.

And then, enriched, enlivened & considerably refreshed, I returned to my little home near the Diva in the harbour just in time for the next verse of the neverending song that is @*&% Medicaid.

All in all, We truly hope you & yours enjoy this Labor Day Weekend and the last breeze of summer.

Blessings,
DivaCardista

Was it HOT Enough For You?

2006-08-05T09:16:00.000-04:00

Now that the heat has THANKFULLY dropped to a happy summery 85 or so degrees and I don't need to run and stick my head in the freezer between keystrokes, here are some of the things your DivaCardista has been up to:

MOVIES:
I went to see the Wayans "Little Man" and laughed out loud for the first time in about a week. (In the heat, too hot to laugh.) It's good to see a Wayans movie every so often. They are so silly. Crafty, too. It was a typical Wayans movie plus a heaping helping of Warner Brothers' Baby Buggy Bunny with a soupçon of Robert Townsend to make the hard edges a bit softer and to bring the requisite tear to the eye.

Plus the theatre was cool.

Also...

In search of something else in my 11x21 manse I found a new favorite: "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes". (Thank you, Mr. Kellogg!) Now by this point everyone knows that Ms. Monroe was actually quite the smart cookie, however breathy. But hardly anyone talks about her dancing.
Girlfriend could move! Jane Russell could hold it down when she had her featured solos, but when she was next to Marilyn, Dear Jane looked like a teamster in drag. (Overly harsh? Maybe. But you watch them together as the film progresses and tell me if you don't see what I see.)

The casting was great, because as soon as Jane got too acidic, here comes the breathy sweetness of Marilyn. And even those with a few lines were on point.

But, um...

What was the deal with the Bondage Girls on the chandelier? Much less the gymnasts in the scene by the pool? & what's with those 1953 pre-spandex/pre-speedo mostly flesh tone shorts? Maybe we are simply too young to fully understand Director Hawks' intentions in those moments, but overall, this classic is funny, fascinating, tuneful and nobody's fluff piece. Of course, I would love to see it done today with a muti-culti cast. Beyonce would make a hysterical Loreli.

HOT THINGS:
There was this tea that called itself "Hot Love" that I tried lately that tasted more like hot socks.

Which brings us, of course to the demise of "Hot Feet" the recently closed Earth, Wind & Fire dance outing on Broadway. I think that one of the reasons it closed so soon is because it focused its title on those who would be moving to/through the music. Not on the music, which would have drawn more people. If they called it "Gratitude" or "Reasons" or "Love's Holiday" DivaCardista believes in her heart that this show would still be playing. If you can say the title and begin humming immediately, well, there's half of your marketing right there.

Ah, me. Well, I have to go upstate to a family picnic. Should be fun.

So long as the Good Lord doesn't decide to turn the heat back to broil.

Stay hydrated!

Blessings,
DivaCardista

Fake PayPal SPOOF Alert!!!

2006-08-02T10:17:00.000-04:00

Now you know it is too hot for all this.

And thus I write today.

While taking care of business over at blessedstar cards, I get the following letter allegedly from PayPal. So, not knowing, I take the bait. And I even transfer some money while I'm on the "site". Only to discover PayPal has absolutely NOTHING to do with these e-thieves!

So, here is

a warning
a copy of the FAKE PayPal letter. (please DO NOT USE links. ONLY for demo)

"Subject :
RE: Message ID 8101035 - Alert Message

Dear valued PayPal? member,
We recently reviewed your account, and suspect that your
PayPal account may have been accessed by an unauthorized third party. Protecting
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Can you believe this mess? Now I have to take time & energy to do damage control.

Now, to their credit, the real PayPal has responded with great sensitivity and speed.
Still, I pray this doesn't happen to you.

And if you remember nothing else, remember this:
PayPal always addresses you by NAME. Never a number or "valued PayPal member".

Please pass this on so that we all can have a good August, safe internet transactions and, above all, peace.

Blessings,
DivaCardista

Even Better Than Miss Black Person USA!

2006-07-31T11:28:00.000-04:00

On this beautifully sweltering last day of July I want to give a shout to Lehigh Valley in the great state of Pennsylvania for voting that great woman of good works Mrs. Helen Willis, RN, (Godsister of DivaCardista) NAACP Woman of the Year & for her mayor declaring it Helen Willis Day!

It was for this cause the family & I jumped into the family BMW this past Saturday and made our way to the celebration whose theme was Vote Your Values and Value Your Vote. What a wonderful celebration with such a necessary message.

So glad to be in the number.

Now, it really is a heatwave, good people of the Northeast, so as you go about doing good works these next few days, do stay hydrated and take good care of yourselves!

Blessings,
DivaCardista

New York, St. Louis annnd California Blackouts?!?

2006-07-25T13:16:00.000-04:00

What’s up with that? And just what are they gonna blame it on this time?

The sunshine?
The moonlight?
The good times?
or the boogie?

For the longest my gifted, beautiful and truly prepared sistergirl Catrina has been telling DivaCardista to stock up on aqua and batteries. And I was all yeah, ok, sho u rite until, while I watched the NYC Power Outage News all day yesterday, my other gifted and beautiful friend Ally called to tell about what's happening in the midwest just as the NYC Power Outage Newscrawl became more and more California power outtage this and blackout that.

So last night just before sunset I finally made my way [read: flew] to the local 24hr shoppe and got me some reserve H2O and a teeny TV & eight Duracel D batteries.

So while I hope that this part of the terrestrial ball stays in the light, should there be another red wire blue wire oops on behalf of our less and less beloved local power company, Diva Cardista is now prayed up and ready for prime time.

And I wish you the same.

Blessings,
DivaCardista

Beyond National Pride (Well, Duh.)

2006-07-13T10:46:00.000-04:00

Montréal was wonderful, y’all. Even when your DivaCardista found herself dancing between the raindrops, from song to song & from crêperie to crêperie, it was still great. Met all manner of folk from across the provinces as well as folk from the states. Took a three hour city tour. Got some rest, new visions and fresh white chocolate. Just so refreshing, for body & soul.

If you haven’t been to good Old Montréal in a good while, you should go. And if you enjoy jazz even a little bit, you should definitely put the 28th annual Festival International de Jazz de Montréal on your 2007 travel calendar. For the five days I was there the jazz mingled with good will was just a lovely perfume in the air, y’know? All way round DivaCardista had herself a grand time, I tell you! From the jazz festival itself to all the mini cultural festivals that seemed to break out all through the streets of Old Montréal, where I truly enjoyed my stay at Le Saint-Sulpice, which, by now, should have received the honor bar key that I took by mistake and mailed back to them. (Le ooops!)

Ah Le Saint-Sulpice--a grand hotel, my dear. Very plush, indeed, but not carried away with itself, which makes it that much nicer. And the great thing is that after a day or two (if not sooner), just being in such a well-appointed suite helps you to look at your regular life and see where you, too, might put a bit of berber over those places in your life that, thus far, ain’t been no crystal stair.

And who knew DivaCardista would take so well to dark wood? After months of mourning and gnashing of teeth (as ‘twere), my Canadian in-room electric fireplace was as welcome a sight for my tired eyes as the midday clip clop of the horse drawn carriages just under my window was to my tired ears as they as they toted happy tourists to the riverside. Now how pleasant is that? Even more pleasant were the all but hermetically seal-able windows that, once closed, only let in sunshine and moonlight. As I currently thrill to the ambient sounds of American lawns being mowed and hedges being trimmed, it’s a wonder why I ever came back.

Oh yeah: the fourth of July! Yay USA!

That was my plan: to break north for a minute and return refreshed and relaxedly focused…and ready for some barbecue, the official flavor of independence. I had no thought about Canada Day.

Up until about noon on June 30th, Canada Day had no meaning for me except as an mildly interesting placeholder on my 2006 kitties and puppies calendar. As a proud and true-blue American, what did I care about anything north of Albany? (Or north of 125th street, for that matter.) After all, the rest of the world, nay, the very universe revolves around US, does it not? (What—y’all gon leave me hanging?)

And then I quietly realized two of the most obvious things in the world:

everybody loves where they were born. If it’s only the local football team and nothing else, everybody has some kind of pride for where they call home. And (gulp)
as wonderfully fantastic & globally inspirational as your home might be, your neighbor might also be doing a few wonderfully fantastic things that you can be inspired by, learn from and work to emulate in your part of this humble planet we share.

Where is this all going? Right to the moment I was watching TV on July 1 (Canada Day) and I saw Her Excellency the Rt. Hon. Michaëlle Jean for the first time and said “Oh snap. That’s a Sister!” I --who heretofore knew everything about, well, everything and everybody everywhere--had never even heard of her. (Yes, I know we have Condoleeza Rice, et al…but this is way different.)

And then I realized how little I knew about our neighbor country. Made me think about where else earlier education might have left a hole or two. Made me want to commit to getting out of the narrowness of my beloved sea to shining sea more often. Who knows what other worlds there are to discover if one doesn’t switch up on the country code every so often?

Points to ponder, eh?

Now...the main folk I came (read: fled the confines of my usually delightful domicile) to see were two of the truest Divas I’ve ever encountered or experienced: Divas Dee Dee Bridgewater and Etta James.

Well.

Let’s start with Dee Dee.

O my goodness: what can’t this sister do?

Freestyle rap
scat
hiphop
r&b
acapella in the moment compositions and then
French to
[down home soul] English and back to
French again.

Yes: this was all in one concert!

And even with Piaf thrown in the mix, you ain’t never heard neither French anthem nor torch song sung with such intensity of heart. I mean. You know how jewelers talk about fire in a diamond? Well, here it is: right in the very person and personality of Sister Bridgewater.

When she throws her head back to tell a story of love through song, you automatically realize that all these young girls in tight tiny shiny clothes, who are each thrust before us constantly as the one to watch [this week], need to go and sit somewhere until they grow.

Now DivaCardista don’t speak but a few words of French – thank the good Lord for cognates – but I got the meaning in my soul every time Dame Dee Dee opened her mouth and heart to sing. It reminded me why singing is such a big deal in the first place. And, no, I am not hatin on the Niveas and the whomever elses that Clive Davis & nem keep finding at the schoolyard…but when you are in the presence of greatness, you know it. In fact, I hope these young women who are being quick-groomed to be the next Beyonce or whathaveyou will at some point be so blessed as to find themselves in someone’s living room as I did and happen across this level of life lived and deliciously expressed and let it inform them as they grow.

(See? Told I wasn’t hatin. Just explicatin. You know how I do.)

And as for Diva James, well let’s just say I hope that I still have that much sass and wisdom in my heart and hipbones as was shown in the great city of Montreal this past June.

She must be the original reference for the phrase “work it, baby, work it” because, believe me when I say, “work it” she did. Strong sensual powerful poignant and true. And o so real.

If it was to be brought, indeed, Etta James brought it all: from songs that I just kinda halfway heard of [“Tell Mama”] to the everything-old-is-new-again [“At Last”]. And it’s even better now. As is she. And, during the concert, she was presented with the Prix Ella-Fitzgerald!! You go, Dame Etta.

And don’t you know she was rockin a fly lil pony tail like Oprah?!? And I do mean rockin it!

As for the boys: from Dee Dee’s accordionist to Etta’s lead guitarist, both women had bands that were just tight, on time and on point. As individuals and as their respective collectives, they really knew how to do the daggone thang with power and much style.

Lastly I just want to give [yet another] shout out to truly old school, nu-classic folk blues guitarist Eric Bibb. He opened for Ms. James. How nice it is to hear the real deal and have it not be in sepia tone on PBS. Strong, clear, colorful and lovely. Mph mph mph. Fine, too. Once again I shout,

“you better go, boy!”

In the words of Corinne Bailey Rae, whom I missed cuz by that point I was too pooped to pop on down to the Club Soda, put your records on, y'all. And in the words of moi: speak peace today.
& let peace perfume the air where e’er you be.

Blessings,
DivaCardista

Insurance!

2006-06-27T17:07:00.000-04:00

As you know, I could go on...

But this is a quickie:

When you go to order your cell phone service, get the insurance. Please.

Yes, I know it seems like a luxury at the time, especially if thrift is your divine gift. But believe me, you will be better off in the long run.

Remember: you will be paying for peace of mind.

OK?

Now...

Have a great day!

Blessings,
DivaCardista

Hair/Beef (Go Oprah! Iss Ya Berf Dae!)

2006-06-26T18:08:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was not only a gloomy Sunday, it was downright hair brutal.

Yeah, sure when it’s 79 degrees with a light breeze, The Beauty Shop—and thus the world-- is full of hardcore afrocentric Divas talking Angela Davis this and Erykah Badu that and how follicular chemical warfare is just another way the man is tryin to keep a good woman feelin bad about her divine nappy birthright... and to mention a wig is to invite a fight worthy of John Hope Franklin.

Until the clouds begin to gather, that is.

Honey, please. By the time a late Saturday storm forecast has scrawled halfway across Kim Parker’s classic hot orange open toed patent leather platform shoes, them Divas have jumped into their Lex-i (plural of Lexus) and gone.

“Did I just read something about rain?!? Girl, I got to go. I think I left my oxtails in the oven. Um…you know I don’t cook on Sunday, right?”

Even those Divas (such as yours truly), who are still doin the Bus Stop, begin to get their shampooer’s tip and their bus fare together at the first sight of a green tree turned white. It’s as if even Mother Nature herself is telling us to talk to the hand. Rough times, I tell ya, rough times!

And as much as DivaCardista truly loves her natural hair, there are times like yesterday that would make any Diva distraught: sittin up in the temple, trying to pray without the distraction of knowing my so called light and breezy tresses were damp yet straight on the bottom and infinitely curly at the root. Just too many variations on a theme to even discuss.

I thought I had it licked, y’all. I really did. Especially since I’d been using Organic Root Stimulator as recommended by my hairdresser and Fantasia IC, as recommended by a dermatologist who came and did a hair/skin workshop at church a few months back. And, oh my goodness, you should have seen me when I found a little neighborhood store where they sell the entire Fantasia IC line! You would have thought that little store was selling Jimmy Choos by the pound.

Anyhoo, like many of you, I had the drill down: Fertilizing Temple Balm each night because my temples were showing and not growing, and Fantasia IC hair polisher to make everything shiny and new. (They had me at “aloe”). And yet, as great as those products are, they are still no match for Ma Nature when she wants to show out. Child, all that intermittent mist and rain and steam and drizzle had me lookin like I was eight years old and momma could either get dressed herself or finish my hair and she chose to leave my hair like it was when I came into the world, because, after all, the cab to take us to church was already downstairs and we didn’t want to be late (again).

Speaking of family & flashbacks...

When my sister was in town a few weeks back, she mentioned the following to me, we all laughed then dismissed it as pure ridiculousness. And here it is back again today.

Can somebody please tell me:

Why fiddy n nem got beef with Oprah?
Why them nouveau riche bling blingin men need Oprah to sit them in her yellow chairs on her stage at this stage in the game to give them the blessing to go on and do what they’ve been doing already & with huge global success?
And why is this old info mingled in with today’s news as if it is
a) fresh and
b) hard news?

They got beef. Please. Who don’t know that beef don’t scare Oprah? Especially now that she’s rocking that fly little ponytail. You go, Mz. Oprah!

Besides, I would hardly call the soccer mom-looking, 401K-investing, Papagallo/St. John-wearing, bo-curious/melanin-lite, seven sister school alumnae of a certain age which appear to constitute her core audience anywhere near the demographic target fiddy n nem are clearly aimed at. Would you?

Let me calm down before I let this foolishness upset my follicular flow.

Blessings,
DivaCardista

Beans on Branches (& I’m Loving It!)

2006-06-22T11:07:00.000-04:00

Now y’all know I’m tryin to live right. So two double coupon days ago DivaCardista bought her some double coupon bran cereal. But child, that bowl of so called bran flakes was baptized in & preserved with so much honey, [barley malt and corn] syrup, brown sugar and glycerin (of all things) that I could save it, bag it and give it out to the trick or treaters for Halloween. Got dog! I’m like, where’s the bran? And where’s the demented Battle Creek dentist who designed this here cereal? (Probably at the bank.)

Thank goodness for fresh fruit to serve with it.

Why, you didn’t think I threw my cereal away, did you? Oh, no my dear. Having been raised and influenced by survivors of the Great Depression, I just hook it up with a bunch of good old New Jersey blueberries, half a banana and some plain walnuts. Then I sprinkle this faux bran cereal on top. May as well use it as a condiment, since it pretty much is.

Furthermore, if my dearly departed Daddy knew I was throwing away "good [non-refundable] food", I declare he would come back from The Other Side and burst out crying. And we can't have that, now can we?

If neither the heat nor the calendar hasn't confirmed summers arrival for you, the abundance of wonderfully fresh & delightfully cheap fresh fruit sure should. In the winter or even late spring, you’d go to your green grocer and ask kind sir, do you have any blueberries? And he’d say, yeah. a couple. how many you want? And then he’d get a pair of tweezers and give you three tiny scared lifeless blueberries for four dollars. Now? For three dollars you can just about get as many robust & delightful blueberries as you can cart away. Gotta love summer!

And then there’s watermelon. Lord help me, if I didn’t have as much self control as I do, I would eat this cool red sweet divine lycopene-rich temptation three times a day, three seasons out of the year. Holla if ya feel me!

I’m also loving this arms race between our beloved fast food corporations. Back in the day when water was free and cable was cheesy, who would have dreamed there would one day be something called edamame (aka "beans on branches" or soybeans) sitting up in somebody’s salad at the local Fry and Go? But it sure is nice to see something green just as easy as seeing something greasy at the drive through window.

And a word for the strangers who nuke, fry or serve us food, fast: Let us take a tiny moment to whisper a word of prayer for every mother’s child who has to serve anything today where gravy has to touch and mingle with cheese as a predetermined part of the entre!

May your summer day be full of actual flavor and true delight.

Blessings,
DivaCardista

La La La La Chanze!

2006-06-20T19:18:00.000-04:00

At first I was mad. Too mad to even think about it, much less blog. I mean, eleven nominations and only one win? And then I calmed down, got my union newsletter and realized what a coup that one win really was.

The Color Purple, as you know, was nominated for eleven Tony Awards and the one winner was the brilliant and lovely La Chanze, who plays Celie, the role that, in her words, “she was born to play”. Well, evidently the Good Lord agreed because now she’s got a big beautiful Tony to go with her big beautiful voice. And--drumroll please--she beat out none other than long time Divas Patti LuPone and Chita Rivera (not to mention Miss Sutton Foster & Miss Kelli O’Hara) for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical. You go, La Chanze. So talented, so skilled and so deserving.

I remember first seeing her in Once on this Island, a play DivaCardista knows she is supposed to just love so much she could sop it with a biscuit because of its provenance, pedigree, etc, but [shrug shoulders while making New Yorker lukewarm reception face & sound here] it just didn't move me all that much. Howsumever I do remember La Chanze being just wonderful. And now she is even more wonderful. Brava, Diva! Brava!

Well over here where I sit and dream while listening to Sarah Vaughan caress "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" into the most sultry, satiny, gorgeous thing you could ever dare to imagine, only to possibly be outdone by the last sunset of spring, going down all warm salmon mango golden, it has occurred to me that one needs not bake small corn muffins as one would a pork roast.

As I repair to my stove to rescue my dinner, here's hoping for the best summer we've ever had.

Blessings,
DivaCardista

Dust Bunny Massacre

2006-06-16T13:25:00.000-04:00

Not that we weren’t having a grand olde time, but…after months of going out to the ballet, the theatre, the cinema; this that and the other out of town rejuvenating/refocusing experience; and…well…Dad’s dying and Mom’s illness; stripping, boxing up and selling the house of my youth; and participating in church life, honey, DivaCardista found herself and her home in quite a situation. A situation and a scandal!

Darling, I woke up one day only to discover all manner of church shoes cast about, stalagmites of design ideas sketched on the backs of “you’ve been pre-approved”-mail everywhere, laundry bags growing in width and girth, bathroom rugs lookin all debatable, a refrigerator that had become the Museum of Food History and a kitchen floor that went crunch. And dust! Chile, dust too plentiful to speak of, just-a clinging to my objets and lampshades from afar. So DivaCardista had to say hold up wait a minute. Took the phone off the hook and took my estate back from grime to glam again. And, after much toil & strategy and chugging much pomegranate juice, I am happy to say on this sunny Friday morning, my house is beginning to feeling all homey and lovely and lemon fresh again.

It has been at least a week since I’ve been out on the town and I am so loving reviving the role of DivaCardista as Happy HausFrau. Truly I love taking my time, taking my little hand held vacuum and getting all up in betwixt, just-a cleanin and-a shinin and getting merry like Christmas. Using all of the vacuum cleaner attachments. Shopping for cleaning supplies like I was expecting Oprah. I really don’t know how them other Divas about town do it. Maybe they have help. Maybe they just up and move every so often. Or maybe they don’t mind living in Dustville, but I sure do.

You should see how fabulous my computer keyboard is now. It’s as if matte could sparkle. Finally got that over the closet door shoe organizer that I had been passing in the store for the last two years (as if $5.99 was way too much to pay for reclaimed emotional space). Laundry bags are now happily deflated. Even got that little cart that fits just behind my bathroom door for all things ablutional. Please. Once I got into the zone, those dust bunnies never stood a chance. As the poet once said “I feel good!”

(And what was initial the catalyst for this cleaning frenzy? The loss of my all too important and yet elusive cell phone. Oy! Another blog for another time.)

In closing, I have one last thought before we dive into this last weekend of spring cleaning. As we ease into the summer months, always remember:

Krusty is a clown, not a lifestyle.

Now let me go so I can get my vacuum and make those pretty designs in my carpet.

Blessings,
DivaCardista

mafungo

2006-06-13T09:16:00.000-04:00

As Dad's Day is soon upon us, and this will be my first Dad's Day without a Dad living somewhere near Disney busying himself with "not understanding me", thoughts & supernatural vibrations of him have been coming through me. And your Diva doesn't know quite what to do with them except to be gentle with the memories as they flit and scatter themselves like dandelion seeds throughout my day. This is especially poignant because of my new love , where I help folk make beautiful connection with the esteemed people in their lives with whom they wish to share love and joy.

Episodic pain and awkward sadness is still, quite literally, on the drawing board.

DivaCardista's Dad was special. No, not in the Berenstain Bears kind of way, I mean different. He didn’t get the things most [American] [TV] dads got and still, this was the guy that I called Dad. Archie never quizzed Gloria on the top ten Jamaican root vegetables each time they met. Mr. Brady never took Cindy for long rides to pull garbage while extolling the virtues of hard work and thrift. Why me? I just didn’t get him and he certainly didn’t get me, but there we were. Dad and Diva. Diva and Dad. Muddling through.

Mostly, I loved riding with Dad in his red VW rabbit. Especially at Christmas. He would take me way out somewhere in the far reaches of Queens and re-introduce me to the other three West Indians at his job, I would mumble a shy hello and they would marvel at my American accent, good grades, etc. and then back in the car we’d go to see the lights! (Finally!) It was great riding with Dad in that red rabbit. Oh, dad would probably be holding forth on one of his favorite topics, say “compulsory savings!!!” for instance, and I’d be like “yeah Dad…compulsory savings” all the while taking in and marveling at the kaleidoscope of lights and color.

He taught me how to drive and appreciate/dream in color in that car. He taught me how to save money. He taught me a lot of things, including how to read and write. No dad, no blog. No dad, no art. Who knew?

And I think that he would have gotten a real kick out of knowing that mere thoughts of him could be monetized. He would have loved that to pieces.

This goes out to all of us in these next few days as we gently recall the moral poundings of our dear old dads.

Blessings,
DivaCardista

Lounging at the Waldorf/Slumming on Park Avenue

2006-06-09T09:04:00.000-04:00

Can you believe it's Friday? This week went by in the blink of an eye. But since DivaCardista will be enjoying a sprightly salad of Belgian endive featuring calendula whilst encouraging educational uplift (but not separation) at the Waldorf in just about an hour, all is well. What a nice way to end a week. I recommend it!

For the longest I have been wanting to share and thus recommend some great summer reading! So on this sunny morning I get my chance. I just love reading books that remind me what it is to tell a great story and that lovely feeling you get when a great story is being told to you. Nothing like it. For instance:

new boy by the wonderful Julian Houston! It's a warm, often funny, poignant and beautifully complex story of a bright young man from the South going to school in the North with the best and the brightest [and, too often, cruelest] of America's wealthiest families during of the infancy of the 1950's struggle for civil rights. It's not so much a coming of age story as it is a coming into manhood and wisdom story of 15 year old Rob Garett finding his way as the first African American at the story's fictional prep school Draper. Believe me, these 282 pages will fly and then you will want to take the journey again.
A Day Late and a Dollar Short by none other than Ms. Terry McMillan. Now her marital woes have been in the paper (and on Oprah's yellow couch) so much that we can forget her gift to the world: creating characters that are truly multidimensional and, whether in moments of functionality or disfunctionality, warm blooded and fascinatingly human. In this classic, she gives breath and life to each member of a family struggling to become better people and better as members of the matrilineal tribe called Price. Now I know you're saying "Um, DivaCardista? Ma'am? This book is at least five years old. Everybody knows this is a good book. And who doesn't know that Terry can write? Looks like you're...um...a day late and a dollar short." Well, so what. Within the next few weeks folks will be running all across this country and halfway round the globe talkin to skulls and throwing kisses to Shakespeare, and look how old he is? DivaCardista just wants to remind folk of the delightful wonder that is our Terry McMillan.
i hear a symphony by Ms. Paula L. Woods. What an absolutely beautiful and loving testimony to the historic love African Americans have had for our families, our friends and each other. I mean! And the artwork is not only great but well placed/interpersed within the poems, rare letters, essays and stories of love. Nothing is overlong, but it is all overdue considering DivaCardista could have sworn she just heard somebody's child proclaiming his "love" for a stripper. Not that strippers don't deserve love but Lord have mercy. Somebody send him this book before he goes into the studio again. Might just change his life.

Well it's about time for DivaCardista to fabulatize before she goes to slumming at the W-A.

Be sweet and have a grand day! I know I will. :)

Blessings,
DivaCardista

Leader of the Pack (or Pride's Head Revisited)

2006-06-07T08:49:00.000-04:00

Here comes the rain again... But it's all right, since yesterday was sunny and lovely, and the plants seem happy enough.

Mi familia is in town for a minute so that's a good thing. They came in yesterday in all the sunshine and lovliness and missed flying in this spate of June drear and that's even better. They came in to see my ma who is in a nursing home now. She couldn't have been more pleased to see everyone as they began to appear from behind the curtain that establishes the room as a double. Not that her visits with her lil Diva have not been delightful, but to see the room filled with three generations of Cardista women was special indeed.

Sure she still bared the trademark nails of the lioness from time to time, but at least this time they were painted a lovely L'oreal red called "Thrill".

However damp, may you have a thrilling day.

Blessings,
DivaCardista

La Diva D'étape D'action! (That's Me!)

2006-06-02T08:47:00.000-04:00

It's Friday and I am doing all I can to be relaxed but productive given the amount of this and that necessary for me to do to still be going forward and not living in some kind of happy stasis. I guess one of my concerns is that I am really not some interesting hybrid of Superman and Wonder Woman. Then I could create, travel, putz about the studio and have a clean apartment.
But yesterday I took some truly fabtabulous action steps:

I got new 2x2s done for my new passaport. Remember how Ricky kept saying it like that to Lucy in that great European vacation series "You've got to have your passaport!"(DivaCardista loves her some Lucy!)
and
I finally got some stuff out of my apartment and sent it to the family down south. And the postal worker that I had was absolutely the best. Not only did he help DivaCardista to choose the best way to get the stuff in the mail, he did all the wrapping for me. Now that's right up there with Man Bites Dog--that's something you don't see every day! Huzzah for the USPS!!

Yeah chile. I had to get that stuff away from my person! You know, because the residence is only so big and it was either me or that late nineteenth century silverware. And, I am happy to report, the big money was on me. Them old salad forks and butter knives used to cost me at least five minutes every time I was trying to leave my house, and where I live, five minutes blossoms into all kinds of missed transportation opportunities and fine friendships made just that much more fragile because of me showing up late with an interesting story as to why. Now, I can flow on without incident.

As for the passaport, honey, DivaCardista is doin all she can to break out to the great white north and dig some Ruth Brown, Tony Bennett and my girl Dee Dee Bridgewater. Especially since I spend a decent amount of my time in the middle of the continent, I feel that every now and again I need to get down with some back bacon and chill with my North American francophoneans digging le jazz hot. Oui?

Blessings,
DivaCardista

Boob Check on the Microphone!

2006-06-01T07:41:00.000-04:00

Ever wake up realizing: hey...I haven't made a dime in weeks! (Well, days actually, but the point still stands). Here I am drawing bold and living golden, tellin folk about the imminent blowuptuation of my bizness, all the while eschewing the Paris Hilton lifestyle (not to mention the pornista/debutante herself [or at least as she has happily protrayed in the media]), and the next thing I know I'm living it. (Sans porn.) Dilletanting around town, making book signings & play readings of all my buds, never passing up a passed hors d'oeuvre, yet passing my stationary bike like I don't see it or acting like it's a piece of small talk-worthy sculpture, one. How'd that happen? I dunno exactly, but honey, that was May. As of today, as of this here Lord's day morning, I decided before my online mentor session with my brilliant pal Ally that I would get up and get on the good foot before she put me through the e-shredder for not following up on her last half hour tutorial. You ever have friends like that? They bless your life, inspire you and wear you out all at the same time? But since DivaCardista is always trying to grow a bit greener in every way every day, here I am gettin my blog on before the clock strikes eight. Plus Ally truly has it goin on, so now that I am fairly awake, I'm gettin all happy inside. Good ole Ally.

Had to wake up anyway. Was dreaming of twisters and all manner of storm. And since I don't have a [current] dream b0ok and thus no way of monetizing those cryptic and scary messages from my dream state, I figured I best get on up and get my praise on and a little typistry while I'm at it.

Today started grey but it looks like my church choir is too hype for even the sun to resist. And I'm glad about it. Sunshine suits the first day of June, wouldn't you say?

Oh yes: at least four times a week DivaCardista wakes up with her praise. Should have seen me the day I figured out how to make my CD player my alarm clock as well. Felt like Stephen 'awking, I did.

It's so wonderful to greet June in my right frame of mind and healthy! I used to think old folk were trippin when they'd say things like "be glad you have your health". Please. I was finna marry Eddie Murphy and live in his New Jersey mansion, tell jokes and make us some pretty Murphy babies. Matter of fact, that could been our first daughter's name: Pretty Murphy. Why not? Seems to have done well for the Ricky family as a first name. Why not us Murphys?

But I digress.

Oh, God is greatly to be praised for all things! So much He has brought me through. My lady doctor found a lump in my breast a few weeks ago. Now, DivaCardista had been prayerful & playin it cool but every now and then I'd be "chewin on my fingernails/ nervous", in the words of Oscar Nominee Queen Latifah. But in steps our worthy God working through the specialist to whom my lady doctor referred me. Don't you know that both tests from the NASA Squeezinator 3000 and BoobSweepTV showed nothing except fantastically fibrous breast tissue made right here in the US of A. God Bless America!

Now your pal DivaCardista would be remiss if she didn't encourage you to get your breasts checked! Honey, if your boobs are casting shade on the space bar and lower keys of your keypad or if they are prehaps more petite, if you are a bosomy babe or a gynomastia-having guy, get yourself checked out. Yes, its painful, but only for a few moments. You can do it! You can do it!

Especially now that swim suit season is here. After all, who needs a bikini full of mystery?

Anyhoo...

May the Lord bless you real good this here coatless season!

Blessings,
DivaCardista

Speak Lord!

2006-05-30T09:54:00.000-04:00

Mmm...I told you Ms. Sarah Jones was super wonderful. Now we just wait and see what the Tony committee will say for this (drumroll please) nominee for Favorite Solo Performance and Favorite Breakthrough Performance (Female). Whoo Hoo! See? You can do your thing on Broadway and not end up in a pair of boyshorts eight shows a week. Go Sarah! Iss Ya Toe Nay!

And then there's the E*L*E*V*E*N Tonys that Miss Oprah's The Color Purple has been nominated for, including the Tony for Best Musical. Word! I am especially excited since the Good Lord has blessed DivaCardista to be able to gather up about 4o or so young people and bring them on down from my Connecticut alma mater to see this great show in the fall. How happy are we this fine sunny morning. Happy indeed.

Now let me get my pencil in my hand and create something grand!

Blessings!
DivaCardista

Me & My Shadow: Ms. Sarah Jones

2006-05-29T11:02:00.000-04:00

Finally got myself in to see twin soul Sarah Jones after church yesterday. Man, it was warm and bright and lovely, just like a Sunday afternoon should be. And, just as I was hoping, folk were out and about in droves. Soon as I got off the train I was greeted by the tempting smells of outdoor frying & the sounds of custom reggae mixtapes, resplendent in steel drums and that unmistakable island pulse, which would be met just moments later with a disgruntled Midwestern "Could you please turn that down!" as we all wafted through the cordoned off corridor of pre-summer commerce, but I didn't care. I was head to ankle in my deep royal purple polished cotton 116th Street African finest and was feeling far too pleased to let some tourist bring me down.

As for Sarah Jones: believe the hype. I enjoyed a highly entertaining evening from a truly gifted and visionary woman. While enjoying the hot hip hop pre-show music I had the gentle realization that even as I love and grow my unique and beautiful business -- my day job :) -- I never want to be too far from The Theater. I never want to be too far from the girl who used to sing/perform Lou Rawls "Me and My Shadow" for my mom in the living room with my big sister (with whom I would be "competing" for applause), much less the woman whose own solo performances left formidable heat behind whenever she left the stage just three, four years ago right here on the same delighful isle of Manhattan.

I guess it doesn't take Freud to see why I have been dragging my feet to see the internationally acclaimed Obie winner Sarah Jones till now. But now having seen her, especially right after worship service and the powerful word from a 26 year old guest preaching phenom out of New Jersey whose sermon was all about how God sometimes uses our private frustration to catylize us into miraculous public progress and peace, I realize that there is room for all of us multitalented visonary artists. Not unlike jello (or in my case Junior's pre-show carrot cake cheesecake), there is always room for excellence, skill and vision in the theater. There is always room for that unique voice that intrigues and entertains, doing both with skill and joy.

And, as soon as I get back to Brooklyn and find my musician again, there's room for me.

CoolBlackSweetDivine

2006-05-28T00:49:00.000-04:00

CoolBlackSweetDivine

Monie, Memorials & Meatballs

2006-05-27T23:40:00.000-04:00

It is warm tonight and Monie Love is blowin up the spot with the greatest of ease. Indeed it is a shame that by "the spot" I mean TV. Nevertheless I am happy to finally begin this here blog that has been following me like a shadow since my brilliant mentor/friend Ally first said, "Diva you need a blog. Don't nobody know nothin about you or your site (www.blessedstarcards.com). You need to get your blog on in the most serious way. Stop living in 1983!"

Ok. It is clearly warm outside cause folks are starting to get mad loud about nothing in particular, revving motorcycles and what have you, like 80 degrees is their licence to lose all of their minds along with most of their clothes. Folks went from timberlands to jelly shoes in a heartbeat. But its midnight I'm still groovin to the rhythm of traffic and checkin out the scenario of this upcoming holiday weekend. Beaches and barbecue! Not that I need barbecue, but if offered, this Diva will not refuse.

As a matter of fact, there is somebody in the cafe kitchen at church who makes the most amazing barbecued meatballs. I tried to replicate and got real close with some seasoned turkey that I fried up and then drizzled with barbecue sauce, which was good served with that new mutivitamin/multifabulous Barilla spaghetti, but nothing near the sweetsavory delight that they serve up about once a month after service.

Which is just one more thing I love about my church: where else can you get fish & grits, eight types of chicken, vegetable lasagna, curry goat, collard greens and barbecued meatballs for coffee hour?

Wow. Who knew we had so much on the dome?

Here's hoping your memorial day celebration is both reflective and flavorful.

Blessedly,
Diva Cardista