It's Not Really That Complicated

So funny thing happened the other day.


I went out to lunch with an old colleague of mine. A real gentleman.
He called me a few days prior and we agreed to meet and catch up with what's been happening. 
Now, I haven't seen this guy in minute but the good thing is that he always has great energy. 
Older professional type... been in the game for a minute.


So fast forward...
We're talking and he's updating me on all the goodness happening in his world which I believe is absolutely lovely for him.  Eventually, the conversation shifts to the "now" and work and blah blah blah. 
He asked what was I up to?


I responded freelancing and whatnot. 
Searching for that golden opportunity to put my knees under someone else's desk just for the sake of healthcare... 
and not really. 
We continue talking and he posed the same question to me that I've received a million times over. This isn't necessarily verbatim but it goes a little something like this... 

Him: "How can you expect anyone to know how great and wonderfully talented you are IF you don't write from your own perspective? I know you're smart, been doing ya thing for a minute and you sexy ..."

[PAUSE]


Wait on it.............

Him: "How will anyone one else know? You're a writer - that's what you do!"

Me: "Oh honey stop...but keep going"  [LOL]

Him: "You must write! That's how you're going to brand yourself. It's the only way given what you're working with."

Okay.
Right.
This is NOT late breaking news folks...


I came back to this page and realized I had not written anything since 2009.
Yeah, I do a lot of posting but not really any writing from my personal perspective. 
#Real talk
Everything is generally work related. 
And since you can look at the 2009 posting like 4 stories down from this one...
I will no longer exhaust this conversation.


The point is I need a place to rest my thoughts. 
I'm not into over glamorizing situations although I work as a publicist from time to time.
Okay...
I am a social butterfly and I know it yet I tend to think of myself as being much more low-key. The older I get the more that idea makes absolutely no sense and has proven itself to be completely false.
Its about time I own up to it and make it werk!


This blog must become my outlet for expressing whatever the hell I want.
Special shout out to @aliyasking for the words of encouragement today.


I promise myself to act with no fear 
Allow my words to be read, 
my thoughts to be heard 
and periodically...
show my face. 


smile


It's not gonna be for everybody.
I must accept that too. 
We all got haters. 
Join the club.


In the end...
The solution really isn't that complicated 
therefore 
I'm putting my best foot forward 
to make 2012 magical!


You don't have to like it 
Just respect what it is. 

When Hip-Hop ruled the earth

When Hip-Hop ruled the earth: "Mike Schreiber's True Hip-Hop reveals hip-hop in its heyday"

http://dominickbrady.tumblr.com/

http://dominickbrady.tumblr.com/

But I'll Have A Beer!

As I read the status messages roll in celebrating Cinco De Mayo I wonder where do these party crashers stand on the issue of immigration? Today, swarms of Americans will join the festivities toasting and celebrating Mexican culture. Tequila, Dos Equis, Corona, Modelo, and Margaritas will be poured as shouts of happy Cinco De Mayo fill the air. And lest we forget nachos and quesadillas will be ordered to stem the tide of inebriation.

However, Cinco De Mayo has a greater significance then just celebrating the victory of the battle of Puebla or the more broadly recognized celebration of Mexican Culture. How do you reconcile celebrating a culture while trying to expel it from your borders? Americans will drink with you and eat your food, but keep your distance.

The partaking in tequila body shots does not cleanse the racial slurs of yesterday. As the day progresses I wonder why there has been been virtual silence from other immigrants in their support for the Mexican people. We are all Mexico. Immigration is not just a problem with the evil man in the sombrero. All Mexico has done is provide a bogeyman to strike fear into the ignorant mind of the WASP and its wannabees. The real issue is fear of the other. Something other than the white bible belt American or something other than yourself.

Rather, where is the outrage from China, Russia, Africa and Caribbean Immigrants? Where is the outrage from the religious right and supporters of the Arizona bill on the issue of sex trafficking? These are illegal immigrants forced here against their will. Where is the outrage from the African American community on any of these issues? Where is the outrage? Do we remain a people who bow our heads so as not to disturb our own lives?

The irony unfortunately is lost along with the understanding of the broader implications. We will not rock the boat just yet with China or Russia, as for the rest well they will just have to be the fall guy for now.

How do we reconcile these issues while toasting to our Mexican neighbors? We need more people to wake up from their apathetic slumber and stop whining from the sidelines. Get in the game.
But until then I guess we'll just lie to ourselves, "That ain't got nothin to do wit me, but I'll have a beer."

My Two Cents,

Citizen XX aka Nat

Author: Natalie E. Rivera

National Black Arts Festival Fine Art + Fashion 2010

National Black Arts Festival Fine Art + Fashion 2010

How to instill authenticity in your marketing message (page 2 of 2) - iMediaConnection.com

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Testing! Testing! ...is this thing on?

As with most things, I have resisted blogging for quite some time now. I don't know what it is about starting a task that at first, appears daunting. Maybe its just the idea of starting something NEW that only YOU are accountable for. Herein folks lies my challenge...

I'm starting this blog because I need to write. I'm not particularly fond of sharing my personal memoirs to the general public. But I figure, if what's happening in my life can some how affect, change or even enlighten someone else...they hey, why not?

In my blog, you'll have the opportunity to experience this thing called LIFE. As you may already know, it's not always fair...(no shit, Sherlock!)

It can sting you...
throw you a curve ball just to see what you do...
and then compliment you with the slightest gesture of security, just to let you know everything's gonna be alright.

Trust me, I don't profess to know everything under the sun
Unlike some people I know.

This is what I do know: I know what I know and the rest I'm learning by taking chances. This might not always be the smartest thing to do. But it makes a helluva story if you live to tell it!

I have stories... and they are both funny and sad all the same. Usually for me, there's always a bit of good that comes out of a bad situation. When it's bad, it's REALLY fucked up! When it's good, it's more like GREAT!

I'm learning a lot along my journey
Considering I'm a little bit stubborn, some lessons are harder than others...
But the point is to learn from these experiences and don't make the same mistake twice!

So accept this as a small token of the good and bad that life has dished my way...
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

In life there's noting wrong with taking a risk..just as long as you are true enough with yourself to accept the consequences.

Stay tune...

Photo Credit: detbuzzsaw
www.flickr.com/people/detbuzzsaw