Blogdangit

Music, No Meat and Nappy

Friends, and family --- Yes, it's been a while! I've got to do better and I will!:) Thanks for being kind enough to send me emails and make phone calls to tell me how I'm slipping on the blog.  It's not that I don't think about you all over here. It's the new routine in my life… Music or in simpler words – The Arts, which mentally and physically keeps me busy with promoting, networking, making music, making new connections, going through the bull-crap of people trying to lure you into something you clearly know to stay away from. There are some characters out there in the music industry! I'm so glad I'm a grown azz woman and recognize game.  There are too many lame opportunists! How are you going to do something for me when you haven't done something for yourself? Negroes pleeeeeease!

Okay now I shall play catch up:  Remember a few blogs back, I told y'all my family was having a moment with life. That's still a reality. But as I said before, we all we got! And love has everything to do with it.

Remember my laptop issue? I had the motherboard replaced and it came back with similar problems that worsened. After several discussions with HP, they had me to reinstall drivers, etc. Just a few nights ago, the screen went blank and non-responsive as it did originally and they walked me through some steps to get it back up. Some hours later, I received an email that they've created a BIOS UPDATE for several HP laptop models. Mine is included.  So I've got to send it in again and this update comes with a 24 month warranty.

Okay let's see what else? March 26, 2008 was my last day eating meat! No more animal flesh for me! It's been a long time coming, and for some reason it has been easy to do. Of course we all know the contamination taking place these days with the meat handling process. I've also done lengthy research on what meat does to the body, and this is the ultimate reason I decided to let it go.  I have not gotten away from meat products like egg, milk, butter, and cheese. (I'd like to eventually – but I aint that big of a girl just yet! – Baby steps….) As I'm allergic to shellfish, I've been eating mostly salmon and flounder, and lots of vegetables. I love fresh or frozen vegetables, and will also add alternate fish such as snapper, tilapia, etc. If anybody has any tips to pass along -- please I'd love to hear them.

Okay, let's see what else… Oh, I know: Last week, I removed my extended twists braids and cut out the very few nips of perm left and am now 100% nappy. And NAPPY IT IS! What have I done?!:)  April will be one year that no chemicals have touched my hair. I am now wearing the natural out and about. Yeah chile, I wore it to the club… to the store….  I've been conditioning it like crazy because I've had that extended hair in for a long time. But being tender-headed and all – I've got issues. Help!  I think I'm going to do the two strand  twists after I get my hair adjusted to its new doo.  Of course I won't leave them in -- I just want that look after you untwist them out. Any other helpful nappy hair-do suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry for the length here folks.  But there it is. Thanks for being patient with me.

Ya'll check me out at my music page… www.myspace.com/inkbutterproductions , or my poetry music page at www.myspace.com/poetrytracks where I'm offering music for poets for only $75!

Peace, love and hair grease… or something like that! ;)

Lady Tha ProducHer SoulTalk Radio Interview

Thanks to everyone who listened to the show yesterday! If you missed it, check it out here...

To hear the music with more clarity visit my MySpace page.

An Afternoon with Lil’ Cuz

What's up readers? I'm really trying to do better with updates. Forgive a sistah! Remember I told you about my lil' cousin who started school at SU? I picked her up yesterday around 3ish and we'd planned to just come back home and chill. But I decided we would enjoy the cloudless skies and get out a bit. We drove over to grab something to eat as I had the best lobster a sustah could ever put her lips on. My lil' cousin ordered an appetizer which included alligator, shrimp and crawfish tails. Eighteen year olds around here don't go to a restaurant and order alligator. Blew me away!

As I've had lobster from several places across the country, this one time was even better than other times I've had it here. It was closely comparable to the way the New England folks cook lobster, and y'all, they know how to cook lobster! The meat was sweet and cooked to perfection. The chef came out when my meal was served. So of course I had to later give much love to a brotha. (yeah he was a brotha). With cooking like that, I could have packed him up and brought him home! Along with my two what seemed like jumbo lobster tails was a loaded baked potato (even the potato was cooked to perfection… Yeah I had a moment with that meal) and I had a glass of Chardonnay. Evan had sweet tea.

After dinner we drove over to the new B&N here in Baton Rouge. She'd brought along her laptop to finish some updates with Mi.cr.os.oft and I of course brought my laptop to do what I do… write. The coffee aroma was tempting as we laughed about the upper/downer thing in contemplating having the coffee after having had the wine early on. She ordered an Iced Caramel Macchiato. Nope I had never had it, yep it looked good… I watched her sip on it a few minutes and couldn't resist. I went up to the counter and as the folks back there know me well 'cause you know I'm a regular…:) , the manager smiled and eagerly versed my usual back to me…'Venti Pumpkin Spice Latte extra shot extra hot, one shot short on the syrup." Now how impressive was that especially with all the people in line listening in as she had her ish together. I smiled and said politely that I was going to try something else. I didn't want to seemingly ruin her moment ya know. I kept a brief conversation with her telling her the drink looked good after my cousin had it, so I decided to try it. Then she says, "…and you do want to add the carrot cake cheesecake, right?" Y'all she was on it. Another usual! Again impressed, I told her I had just eaten… but thanks for remembering and I appreciated her service. We kept small talk even while she waited on other customers as I waited for my drink to be made.

The coffee was good. I ordered mine extra shot too, so it is now on my list of favorites. My cousin and I talked and browsed about online. I tried writing this blog then, but lil' Evan can keep a conversation going… That's my cuz! Later we decided to call it a day and she bought a couple books and I… get this… bought no books. That's right readers, none…

After we got in, we spent a few hours in the studio. Did I tell ya'll she writes poetry and has desire to do spoken word? She has goals of owning a TV/Film/Broadcast business so she was all up in the studio deep. She played around on one of my keyboards and talked and talked and showed me pictures of her friends and her honey-bun (whom she misses dearly) who's many miles away in her hometown. He's a handsome young man, and they look so adorable together in the many pictures she has of them. Finally she went to bed, and I spent a couple more hours in the studio.

She had two classes today, and I'm sure just after class, she could have been found tearing down some z's in her dorm…

That's it folks, lil cuz and the Lady ProducHer during our Sunday stroll….

P.S. I didn't throw it in the blog, but as I am allergic to some seafood, I did get minor itches last night and the eyes were red and puffy this morning like I'd been cryin'... Could it have been the lobster, hmmm don't know, but that meal there was worth it all baby. I popped a Benedryl and rubbed the skin rash with my prescribed medicated cream and all is good honey. U know me!

 

The Jump Off!

Hello everyone. I'm just getting in from the party tonight. (Remember the one I told ya about earlier?) Wow! What an incredible turnout! There were some party people up in there. I kept the mix Jazzy and Christmas until after they ate and then honey, they GOT down. The hostess made a few announcements every hour or so giving away $25 gift cards from various vendors. During her last announcement, she gave away $100 bills. I thought that was really nice for the employees. The gifts were given away from a draw of tickets which the employees received at the door upon arrival.

The oblong room was quite elegant with two rows of about 4 or 5 beautiful chandeliers across the ceiling. The lighting was perfectly dim creating perfect ambiance. I've actually done some other events in that same room before. The food OOOOH man, the hotel DID that! It was seasoned well. The menu included turkey, cornbread dressing, and green bean casserole to DIE FOR, candied yams, mashed potatoes, mixed greens salad, rolls, and pecan pie. The beverage was iced tea.

There was a professional photographer who had a really nice setup with props and gear. Of course she and her assistant and I did the network thing. I also participated in some test shots after they'd hooked everything up. They wanted to make sure their lighting was okay. So I got a couple great sample pictures as well. They were nice people.

I even got my dance on a few times. As I think back, when you have a good mixture of folks, black and white and young and old, having a good time as such, it's another one of those add 'em ups. I'm gon' get deep on y'all for a minute, but to look out at that group of people from the platform I was set up on; everything in that building at the time was genuine. People laughing, smiling, socializing and dancing – and what more perfect time than Christmas to share such joy.

I say that to say this, the supervisor of these people came in somewhere around mid-time the event and he HAD ON JEANS. This event was semi-formal attire. He was asked by the hostess to speak but he refused. He walked around a few, talk to a very few and left. This is the perfect example of a trifling leader heading off a squad of 400 plus people.

Overall, it was a wonderful evening. I was told by the head of the committee that they are definitely considering me for other various events, and possibly the Christmas gig next year.

Well that's it my good folks. My eyes are going together. I'm tired and My KNEES are CRYING out to me. Baby, I worked them over on that dance floor! I'll see the doc this week.

Sending Holiday wishes to you and yours…

Just Posted a New Track!!!!

Go Here to hear it titled Seasoned. Hello my good peoples. I've been posted up in the studio most of the night and all day today, and it's been a lovely experience. Now, if I can just get that ONE BIG production contract, ya girl gon' be alright. It's all good though, I'm doing what I love to do and I know persistence is gon' pay for it all.

Other news brings a busy lady trying to stay up mentally. My head is full of SO MANY creative things. I'm trying to keep it all in perspective and remain focused. I depend on y'all for simply being an ear or eye. Just having that support keeps the lady maintaining. So, thank you!

Yesterday, a national organization did a photo shoot in my studio. A colleague asked to use the facility for the shots. He's going to be featured on a national cover. His sponsor and the photographer were both nice ladies and professional in their respective fields. The photographer unloaded her photo gadgets such as umbrellas, light cans and battery packs, and a camera to DIE for. Girl was also creative with the different shots she did with him. She utilized the ambiance from the lights of all of my studio toys. I could immediately tell she was very creative. I even learned that she produces radio ads and familiar with the production process. You know I was feeling all that, right??!!! I was impressed and simply amazed that it was all going down right there. Of course we all exchanged contacts.

From then on, I was posted up in the lab doing my thing. Well that's it for now. If you've got a minute; go check out the new track (1^st Track) and if you know of anyone who need tracks, a producer, or studio, don't forget about ya gurl.

Y'all be blessed…

Marriage

I had a date last night with my husband…

Remember how I was telling y'all that my niece is a poet and she wanted to spend some time in the lab last night? Well, she fell asleep and my NEW nephew (her hubby and aspiring producer in the picture below), and I was posted up in the studio into the wee hours. We began networking and sharing our connections as he was on one computer and I was on the other. I then started playing a few tracks from the Fantom X6 giving him an idea of what I do. As he's used to producing tracks through Reason from his computer, I started playing around with a sample just showing him how it loads into the FantomX6 and how to chop it up. He pulled up a chair and we started to build the track. He seemed reluctant to actually play the keys of the sample on the keyboard, but he was playing the chops with nice concepts.

We created the flow and I started building the drums around it, the percussion, the kicks and hi-hats. I have my secret recipes on the drums which only he has witnessed. And oh, when you hear the piano part, that's me actually playing the keys. (That's no sample baby!)

Y'all check it out here and let me know what cha think. It'll play when you open the page. It feels more like a Jaheim/Common track. But as for the sell, I'll see what kind of bite I get for it. I'll definitely sell this one off 'exclusive', but they've got to come with the dough.

So, Hurry over, 'cause this track won't be posted up long!!!!

…Oh, didn't y'all know I was married to this thing we call Music?

See ya next time…

Excellent Saturday Morning

Hello my good peeps. I got up early this morning, showered and dressed to this lovely day and drove to a new Barnes & Noble which opened earlier this week. It's the second B&N in the Baton Rouge area. It's a one-story, unlike the other store which is a two-story with an elevator and escalators. This one's pretty nice. I LOVE the atmosphere. It feels like a few of the stores I've frequented across the country. I remember a few in particular in Michigan and Minnesota. The lighting is perfect and the openness of the store feels spacious and relaxing. It's quiet and cozy with a hint of Christmas music playing softly in the background. There are a few people snuggled comfortably throughout the store in those big comfy soft chairs. There's a lot of new development going on around the area. The weather brings a beautiful morning with not a cloud in the sky. The wind is perfect and the humidity is low, as it feels like one of those California days.

After browsing and absorbing the moment, I ordered a Venti Pumpkin Spice Latte' extra shot extra hot, (hmmmmmm it's so good - the barista made it perfectly), with a slice of Carrot-Cake Cheesecake and a cup of Minestrone soup. The soup is very tasty as well. I haven't dived into my cheesecake yet. Oh and yeah, I am typing this post while eating.

This coffee is SOOOOO good! (Oh, I said that already!)

I'll probably be here for hours reading and writing. I've got two Photoshop books to browse through as I'm always trying to learn new techniques. I will also probably work on 2 logos that I hope to finish this afternoon.

I was in the studio last night till around 12:30 a.m. A music friend, Terrence and his wife came through and we talked and listened to a few tracks. A female rapper was scheduled to come through and record, but she ended up stopping through later to just listen to one of the tracks I'd completed for her because she had to be at work this morning for three o'clock. The track I threw together for her is definitely a head-banger (nah, I aint braggin' – I'm just sayin') SMILE! I took a sample of Gladys Knight's Midnight Train to Georgia, looped it and threw in a few other samples of the song, then laced the track with the drums to bang it out. As the rapper listened to it, she started spitting out lyrics like they were made for each other. We plan to record it next week.

So that's it for now. Y'all have a lovely day. I plan to. God bless.

(Update) I had to come back and tell y'all the Carrot-Cake Cheesecake is SICK! That's how GOOD it is! Perfect morning!

Contemplatin'

What's good everyone? I'm sorry to have been sleeping on this blog, but best believe sleep in general is far from what the gumbo gurl has been up to. Work (you know the 9-5 so-to-speak) has kept me mentally involved, while creative work has kept me mentally and spiritually connected.

With creative work, I've got a lot of irons in the fire and loving every minute of it. To give y'all a clue... I have tracks to edit and complete for 5 different artists across the country ranging from Hip-Hop to Poets. I have logos to complete for a couple of people. I have a radio spot to complete for a friend for his business. I'm collaborating with a cousin from Texas and working on getting his band booked while promoting them for a gig in Baton Rouge, and I'm still writing on 2 book projects.

The word contemplatin' is just that... My work pays the insurance premiums and builds the 401K while providing a wealth of benefits and perks, but creative work is a marriage which took place during conception, and we are happily joined with no insight of divorce. 

Y'all feeling me right?

The Needle to the Record

I had been looking for a turntable to start refurbishing the many albums I have to CD. I found one at Radio Shack for about $70. Actually it was the only place I've been able to find one. This picture doesn't do my collection any justice. I've got much more than what you see here. Once going through a lot of the albums, I had forgotten all the good stuff I have.

I used to collect LP's, 12"'s and 45's and would look for them at garage sales and anywhere else I could get them. My older brother gave me his collection of albums and so did my neighbor. I've collected from other relatives and friends as well.

I began reminiscing as I played the oldies back from my youth and high school days. A lot of the stuff I have, I can't find on CD – and some of it was before my time like back when my momma and 'nem used to juke joint. J

It's going to take me a while to archive to CD because I've got lots of sorting and editing to do. But when I'm done, it's gon' be a bomb collection for sure. Did I mention the hundreds of cassettes I have too? This music thang never ends!

 

 

Damn Gerald ... You Did That!

This CD has got to be one of the best Gerald Levert has ever done. I've played it over and over for almost two weeks now. Every song on this one is HOT! That's right!

My favorite is #11, M'Lady, (pronounced My Lady). I'm telling you ladies, this is our new anthem straight from the G. Spot Man himself. He definitely puts us on a pedestal. And you know the one they're playing on the radio, Track #1, In my Songs? Baby that's just the beginning to how hot this CD is.

Unfortunately, I haven't read all the liner notes yet, but I will say, Mr.G went out and collaborated with the right mix of producers. Damn just when I thought music had one foot on a banana peel and the other in the grave. Gerald did that y'all. He did that!

Hot!!! I can't get enough!

I miss and love you Gerald.