I just watched an independent film called "Medicine for Melancholy" (check it out) and I thought it was the perfect title for today. Today is 4/20...a day that has no meaning to some and SO much meaning to others. I would just like to pay tribute to all those all over the world who celebrate 420 :-) One love!
There are few outings that can top my record store visits. I take hours and explore new music, read music magazines (my favorite is Wax Poetics), pick up flyers for the latest concerts/events, etc. I especially love independent record stores...they have SO much character! In addition to the character, I love that they don't just carry "commercial" releases, but they really strive to provide a more diverse music experience for all to enjoy.
Yesterday was declared global "Record Store Day". Record stores around the world participated in this day in order to bring back the record store experience. There were live performances, discounted CDs, spreads of food, etc! Why do we need a Record Store Day? Well, so many people buy their music online now and this is forcing too many great record stores to close their doors. For music lovers like me, the record store experience is one that cannot be found in online browsing/downloading. To drive Record Store Day sales, many independent artists put out special releases that were only distributed through independent record stores - nice!
Check out this article for a recap of what happened around the world! Lets remember to continuously support these local records stores throughout the year!
I had the amazing opportunity to sit next to Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai at a conference a few years ago...such an amazing and humble woman! I was excited to hear that there will be an entire PBS special dedicated to her work - check her out tonight on PBS at 10pm in "Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai". See below for a quick synopsis & click here for more information on the film. Also, click here to check out The Green Belt Movement - the inspirational global non-profit founded by Wangari.
How does the simple act of planting trees lead to winning the Nobel Peace Prize? Ask Wangari Maathai of Kenya. In 1977, she suggested rural women plant trees to address problems stemming from a degraded environment. Under her leadership, their tree-planting grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, defend human rights and promote democracy, earning Maathai the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.
I've had a serious itch to go shopping for the past few weeks! This is due in part to my lent commitment being to cut out unnecessary spending & my new postpartum body (just had a baby a month ago and need some "in between" clothes...all Moms understand). I've always loved funky clothes w/ an ethnic flair, so I was on the hunt for a new dress or shirt to add to my collection.
While searching, I came across a Ghanian designer Aisha Obuobi's line called "Christie Brown" and I knew this was "it". She's a young sista (recent graduate of the University of Ghana) who was inspired by her grandmother (whose name is Christie Brown) who taught her to sew at a young age. She takes what would be an ordinary batik and turns it into high fashion couture shirts and dresses...my kind of girl! Check out some of her designs below and you'll see why I fell in love....
I don't know anyone who doesn't love a free gift. Well, I was online earlier today trying to catch up on some of my magazines and websites I haven't checked out in a minute and I came across the Trace Magazine website. I used to read this magazine religiously! It's a fabulous source of information for all things cultural, funky, conscious, urban, etc. I especially love their annual "Black Girls Rule" edition where they highlight black women from around the world doing great things. I stopped reading when I cut out my magazine expenses (those joints add up!), but I forgot how much I really enjoyed it. Anyway, so I went to the site today and realized they had the latest issue available online for FREE...that's right FREE! "You can't beat that with a bat!"
Click here to download the latest issue of TRACE Magazine to check it out for yourself. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do...
I just won a $100 Amazon Gift Card! (Nice!) I am on a mission to find a few good reads to dig into...
I absolutely love non-fiction books, particularly ones about people around the world who have achieved something great. When I came across a review of a new book by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Africa's first female President!), I couldn't wait to add it to my shopping cart. I have become even more interested in visiting Liberia since she has been in office (I had always been intrigued by the country's African-American founding). I even had the privilege of seeing her speak in person when working the Clinton Global Initiative Conference a few years ago. Not only is she Africa's first woman President, she is an economist, a Harvard graduate, a former bank executive and former Minister of Finance! She was recently listed in Forbes Magazine among the "100 Most Powerful Women in the World". Check out the summary of the book below. Also, let me know if you have any book suggestions for me. I look forward to the dialogue!
In January 2006, after the Republic of Liberia had been racked by fourteen years of brutal civil conflict, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf—Africa's "Iron Lady"—was sworn in as president, an event that marked a tremendous turning point in the history of the West African nation.
In this stirring memoir, Sirleaf shares the inside story of her rise to power, including her early childhood; her experiences with abuse, imprisonment, and exile; and her fight for democracy and social justice. This compelling tale of survival reveals Sirleaf's determination to succeed in multiple worlds: from her studies in the United States to her work as an international bank executive to her election campaigning in some of Liberia's most desperate and war-torn villages and neighborhoods. It is also the story of an outspoken political and social reformer who, despite danger, fought the oppression of dictators and championed change. By sharing her story, Sirleaf encourages women everywhere to pursue leadership roles at the highest levels of power, and gives us all hope that, with perseverance, we can change the world.
I fell in love with African music back in college, particularly Afrobeat. I can remember the day I was cruising the aisles of my favorite record store in Tallahassee, FL called Vinyl Fever and I saw a display featuring Afrobeat music. I had already been put on to Fela Kuti and Femi Kuti by my dad (my musical muse) a while back, but I saw a number of other artists featured and decided to purchase a few. Since then I have really been hooked! Also, after traveling to Africa a couple times I have been able to pick up more music and fall deeper in love with all types.
Needless to say, when I saw that NPR was featuring the "Best African Music of 2008" I couldn't wait to check it out!! I was very pleased with the top 10 and hope that you will enjoy the music as much as I have. There is one album that isn't on the list that I think was worthy, and that was Amadou & Miriam's "Welcome to Mali" - check out some of the tracks here. Happy listening!
So, it looks like travel restrictions between the US and Cuba may be released in the near future. I actually have mixed feelings about this...
I traveled to Cuba in the summer of 2004 and had an amazing experience! It was such an authentic place and the people were amazing! My experience was bitter-sweet though because it was pretty sad to see the disparities between rich and poor. My husband and I stayed with a family in each city we visited there (Havana and Trinidad) because we wanted a more authentic experience. It was especially difficult to see that there were so many restrictions on people and that they were SO afraid to speak with us about how they really felt about it. Despite all of that, there is a beauty and a joyous spirit that lights up the faces of everyone you see in the streets. Take the man in the picture with me for instance...he didn't have much, but he decided to use things he found on the street to make a camera and "interview" anyone who was walking by and willing to take part in his imaginary recording. I love it! I could write for hours about people we met...experiences we had...food we ate...Mojitos we drank, etc.
Back to the point of this entry...opening up travel to Cuba. I fear this could take away some of the authenticity of Cuba and turn it into an island for profit with nothing but resorts and tourist attractions (similar to many of the Caribbean islands). I shouldn't jump to conclusions though because I am sure Raul and Fidel will make sure that ownership of properties is NOT easy for Americans...they're not stupid people (even though I may disagree on how they run their country). We'll see what happens...until then, I will reminisce on my last "educational" trip to Cuba :-)
Check out this article for more information on the meetings that took place between Congressional Black Caucus members and Raul Castro yesterday.
