Today's Required Reading

First, one of my favorite new blogs: Diary of an Anxious Black Woman. Very smart stuff. Been passing it along to my friends... and now to you!

As The World Turns is on fire... I just started watching a few weeks ago with the Cyndi Lauper visit to couple Luke and Noah. Now, I'm a regular. One more to add to my Y&R and B&B habit.

Are you an event planner who would like to plan a book-or-writing-related event? Poets & Writers has funding available for such events... read site for conditions.

Another testimony about the power of a writer's retreat. Shelly Ettinger via Tayari Jones site.

Has it been 24 years since Vanessa Williams was Miss America? Clay Cane comments.

Another new favorite site: The Daily Voice, Black America's Daily News Source. Very informational.
fs

Picture It... Sicily...

We loved us some Golden Girls. Still do. So of course it was sad hearing that Estelle Getty, who portrayed Sophia, had died this morning in L.A.

Tons of blogs and other sites writing about her. Here's two that have links to others:

The Best Week Ever tribute to Estelle Getty.

A Sophia montage on YouTube.

Estelle Getty official website.
fs

Miami Manhunt

My goodness, there are just too many darn books coming out this summer.

Now on my list -- Miami Manhunt by Johnny Diaz. Three friends, looking for love in all the right and wrong places in Miami. I'm so looking forward to reading it. I read Johnny's first novel, Boston Boys Club, and enjoyed it a lot.

Johnny Diaz is a Boston-based journalist, and he wrote one of the best and most thorough reviews of my Right Side novel last year. When I want a pick-me-up when I'm feeling down about my writing progress, I read Johnny's review.

Anyway, it's been out a few weeks so it should be easy to find in your local bookstore.
fs

Are You Tightening Up Your Wallet?

With the economy being what it is lately, everyone's looking at their money (MSNBC story). I've been tightening up my spending a bit.

I drive only to the essential places -- mainly the office (only 10 minute drive, no freeways)and try to plot out the errands so I can multi-task and not back-track. I get depressed seeing a fill up cost $50. I think... that's a payment. That's a night out (depending on the city you're in).

Stopped driving to the gym twice a week to walk to my neighborhood park, where I run, can swim if I want, and get to know the neighborhood. I've lived in the same place since 2000 and never saw the neighborhood and people up close. I've got some cuties living near me... never knew that!

Even started walking to the neighborhood restaurants and discovering new places to eat.

Gave up buying the morning coffee, and brew it at home. Put any leftovers in the fridge so I can have my evening ice coffee.

I love throwing whatever in the crock pot in the morning, and coming home to a homecooked meal... and it doesn't heat up the house at all.

Some of my friends are giving up Friday or Saturday nights out at clubs for home parties and gatherings. It's kinda fun not worrying about the right clothes, if you can park in the valet lot, or bartender tips on weekends.

For folks in their 20s, this is where a LOT of money is lost and unaccounted for... clubbing. Friday and Saturday at minimum $50 each night (that's the low side), that's almost $5,000 a year that could be saved... and imagine no hangovers, getting adequate sleep, inventing in work/professional clothes, and working on a craft/hobby/work in those lost hours?

I've always clipped coupons and learned the double coupon rules. Always used the frequent-customer cards. But two weeks ago, my Ralph's bill should have been $300... after coupons and frequent-customer card use, it was $168. Even the manager came and took a look. Of course, coupon clippers annoy (and impress) the people standing behind.

Speaking of Ralph's, they have a Coinstar machine there. Every couple weeks I drop off all the change I've accumulated recently. And I use that for grocery bill, or pocket cash... though my parents used to tell me to put that spare change in the bank. I'm still learning.

I'm trying to find my local shoe repair/shiner... to keep those old shoes and sneakers looking new for as long as possible. My parents used to tell me this, and of course I never listened until now.

Can't seem to give up air conditioner or new books. I can't bring myself to buy used books. Maybe because I know the authors get nothing from used book sales. Hmmm...

Every now and then I check out Saving Advice blog... some good suggestions there.

How are you tightening up? We could all use some tips for our budgets...
fs

Film Recommendations

I'm not into superheroes, space adventures, special effects, explosions, or superfluous violence in the films I watch. So... I rarely see a movie with the masses. It's cool.

The other day I was listening to Larry Mantle's Air Talk, and caught some reviews of films I want to check out... and you might, too, if you're into common, Friday blockbuster releases.
fs

The Year My Parents Went On Vacation

Kenny

Wanted and Desired

The Grocer's Son

Oh Yeah... Jackie Washington Day

July 15 was Jackie Washington Day.

You gotta be a fan of the super-funny film, Jackie's Back, starring Jenifer Lewis. Here's a trailer on YouTube.

My good friend DenPlace sent me a text yesterday wishing me Happy Jackie Washington Day. I remembered to celebrate by not washing any clothes that day... and by getting a taste of mama's special cough medicine (and made it a double, Entendre).

They're jokes. Um, but if you don't get them, get the film Jackie's Back on your netflix service to watch this weekend. Celebrate the day over the weekend!

We have a staff potluck and meeting on Friday. I think I'll bring them a taste of Jackie Washington. Many of them haven't a clue to what or why some of us are joking about when we spout lines from the film :-)
fs

Just Too Good To Be True

To have ten novels published is an amazing accomplishment, and E. Lynn Harris's latest is his tenth... Just Too Good To Be True.

For many of us starting out, or on just a couple books, we aspire to get to his level. And we still enjoy his novels.
fs

Who Are You Really With?: To Hate or Like The Ex

Sunday night. Just finished watching Miss Universe pageant. Y'all know I'm a pageant queen. Anyway, one of my good friends called (in the midst of the pageant, mind you, but thank higher power for pausing live tv) with his own young, colored, and restless moment.

He went out to one of those Sunday happy hours at a local gay establishment. He ran into not one, but two, exes. Caused him a little tizzy and he had to call and process.

It's always funny and concerning to me when I hear my friend, or others like him, go into a tizzy over exes. I don't have any drama with any exes or people I've dated. In fact, stay pretty cordial, friendly, and even speak in public. Even if the breakup wasn't my doing.

But this friend in particular just HATES all his exes. Goes on and on about how THIS or THAT they are. Doesn't even want his current friends (including me)to say hello to the exes when we run into them, some of whom are pretty nice and fun people to talk to.

So to stop the drama, I usually ask this friend "Did you hate him this much when you were with him 24/7 the last six months? All these things you hate now you just over looked when you were together?"

I think there's a thin line between love/hate, letting go/clinging on, taking responsibility/placing blame.

And tonight found a really cool link on TheGayte-Keeper blog: Get To Know Your Real Partner. Some good, reflective questions on getting to know someone in the romantic sense.

If reflection isn't your thing, my favorite sex/advice columnist, Dan Savage, always advises us that ALL potential partners are damaged goods until proven otherwise over time. But, you've got to be willing to give the time to learn you've got a gem.

Are you friend or foe with your exes?
fs