My First Night In Denver- Party with a Purpose Time

Fresh off the airplane, straight to a party. We arrived in Denver pretty late and missed the Hill Harper book release and grown & sexy, hip hop party featuring, Whodini, Biz Markie, Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh. Urrgh, I was a bit hurt we didn't make it in time for this party. We did however arrive as the partygoers were exiting the venue, and just in time to watch an impromptu sidewalk fraternity step show. Too much fun and excitement. The post college "steppers" sent the Denver cops, who were on hand "just in case", into a semi-frenzy. The cops had no idea the men, suited and booted would break out into a full on School Daze step show outside of the venue. Hilarious. Great times indeed.

Tiff meets Bun B outside of Hill Harper's book release party in Denver.

Tiff w/ Lorielle, co-owner of the Barack The Vote t-shirt line outside of the Hill Harper's book release party. I got my shirt, girrrll.

Dining with California Assemblyman, Isadore Hall. (LtoR)-Eric Hall, Miko, Isadore Hall, Danna, Lashan, Tiffany & Anton. Isadore represents California's 52nd District, which includes, Compton, Watts, Long Beach, Willowbrook, Paramount & South Los Angeles. Young men on the move in politics. Love to see it!

Day Two of My DNC Trip

I attempted to arrange the photos in the order in which the events occured; no luck. I did give detailed captions though. Enjoy!

Miko, Tiff & Shan downtown Denver posing w/Obama's Time cover.

On my way to watch one of the speeches.

Miko & Tiff taking advantage of Denver's public transportation.

Tiffany w/ the Barack the Vote crew. Brandon, (next to me) co-owns the line w/his sister Lorielle, not pictured. Love them!

Lashan, video/movie director, Brian Barber & Tiffany at the Pepsi Center after Biden's speech, I think.:)

Kickin' it with the Republican elephant. It's all love.

Around the way girls standin' at the bus stop-w/no lollipops. On our way to the festivities.

Acting silly at the DEMOCRACY ice sculpture. This was really cute.

Compton, Cali in the house. These guys are the creators of the Obama peace foam fingers. The vendors "came up", in Denver. Compton was seriously in the house. I went all the way to Denver and met so many people from Compton. Craziness!

Protestors were representing as well.

Almost doesn't count, but it will do for the purpose of this photo.

At the Denver Convention center watching one of the speeches.

I love my friends.

DNC: The Big Day- "That One" Speaks

Lashan, Mark & Tiff.

(read about Mark below and how he "hooked" us up)

Omg, Mark made our day. If it were not for Mark, things could've turned out a bit different for Lashan and myself. The 2nd day of our trip we were told we would have 4 tickets to attend Barack's speech. All good, 4 was exactly what we needed.. Well, the day of the event, our 3rd day in Denver, we learned there was a serious misunderstanding and that tickets would not be available to us. Ohhh gosh, it was too early in the morning and I was operating on 5 minutes of sleep when I learned of the news. Ok, what do we do, who do we call? I was so out of my element, I didn't know how to resolve an admittance problem for a political event. Making a long story short, our travel buddy Danna connected with some Delegates from California and Alabama and secured 3 tickets, and the last one came from a total stranger by the name of Mark. Lashan and I approached Mark, a gentleman who just happened to be walking behind us as we entered the hotel to pick up our 3rd ticket. At this point, I told Shan, "we're gonna just have to ask total strangers". We turned around to Mark........and the rest is part of history. Thanks Mark!!

Michael McDonald performs at Obama's Acceptance speech at the DNC.
Posing w/ one of the many pleasant police officers near Invesco Field . The city of Denver, and its surrounding cities' law enforcement kept things running smoothly. The officers were like none I've witnessed before; just pleasant. They gave out water and passed out these really cute "stay positive" signs. . Protesters were in full -effect. The protest took place outside of Invesco Field.
More protestors outside of Invesco Field in Denver.
Finally, I made it inside of Invesco Field. I still can't believe I'm in this photo. How great!. When one has an idea, mixed with some planning, teamwork, follow through and creativity, win win situations are created. I'm referring to the trip experience I had with my friends. An unbelievable blessing! Everything from each one of us having our very own row on the airplane (a big deal since we were in coach) to arriving safely into the city, upgrading from a compact car to a roomy SUV, w/no extra charge or strings attached, and to lodging at one of the most amazing residences in the Denver area. We were operating off of favor for real. My 2 hours of sleep smile. This is just before the Senator gave his acceptance speech.

At the Obama/will i am after party.

All of the parties were fab, but this one was really nice because it followed Mr. Obama's moving acceptance speech. Attending the DNC's after parties was an experience that tripped my mind out. I was tripped out because there was NO!! drama getting in. There were NO issues. And those oh so famous "girls & guys at the door and velvet rope , with the guest lists", we've all experienced them at many parties, they were very pleasant to interact with. Everyone was so nice. We RSVP'd while we were in L.A., and once we arrived to Denver, we received daily text messages confirming our attendance approval and party details. A super shout out to Kenny Johnson, The Richmond Group and Perennial Strategies for putting together the entertainment activities. I've attended one too many parties with guest list confusion, but the parties during the DNC for sure fall into the "one of the best" category.
Obama girls, Tiff & Danna K, Barackin' the dag on Vote! We were seriously on our way out of the venue by the time this photo was taken. Lack of sleep and trying to party-not a great mix. It was really cool to see the political and entertainment worlds collide.

Sleeping while standing (Tiff & Danna)

And I suppose in this photo I'm flossin' my Barack the Vote t-shirt. I suppose.

Attending the 2008 DNC was an experience I will never forget. I cried everyday for 2 weeks after returning home, and I still cry off and on when I think of my experience. There were so many things going through my mind while there; my life's purpose, how much African Americans have progressed in this country. I thought about my grandparent's, who are all deceased, I wondered how they would feel about the possibility of America electing its first African American president. I thought about the "Audacity of Hope". I flashed back to my visit at Ebenezer Church, what would Dr. King think if he were here? I'm hopeful that the visual of a Barack and Michelle team will inspire us to heal our families and mend hearts.

I'm the offspring of generations who fought, struggled and sacrificed. I really haven't struggled. I've never looked at myself as a "victim", "the man" is not holding me down. I do sometimes wonder if I am doing enough with my life to make generations before me proud. What's my excuse? I can do anything, why am I not taking advantage of opportunities, why am I procrastinating? Why am I sometimes afraid to try and more afraid of the responsibility that comes with success? Why don't I ask for help or allow people to know I could use a helping hand at times? Soooo many things ran through my brain. I was paralyzed in thought, but inspired beyond belief at the same time. I haven't been the same since Denver and I don't think I ever will.

Let the unravelling begin.

I hope you enjoyed the photos.

BFF Birthday Shout Outs- Chaz & Lashan

Two of my BFF's are celebrating their birthday's this week. I singled them out because we share the same zodiac sign. Scorpios Rock! We really do; seriously, we do!

Chaz & Tiff at the Black Oscars Party(Feb. '08)

My BFF for over 10 years.

Lashan & Tiff at the final Lakers game last season.

My BFF for almost 10years. I love my friends.

Happy Birthday Chaz & Lashan

Aretha Franklin Sings Mariah Carey's Touch My Body In Concert

Here's a video of Aretha singing Mariah's, Touch My Body. I'd first heard the audio on Wendy Williams' show and I just had to search for the video footage myself.

Stephen A. Smith- Talks Politics

Tiffany: From the blog of sports analyst, Stephen A. Smith. I admire this man's fearless delivery of truth. The Truth: sometimes hurtful, but if embraced and delivered from an admirable person, can be helpful. I've been an admirer of the Stephen A. Smith movement since his days as a frequent guest on the Best Damned Sports Show, Period, in early 2000. I appreciate black men who embrace their greatness and refuse to dumb themselves down, and Stephen "Screamin" A is a the perfect example. The sincere honesty, and integrity he brings to the sports world, I aspire to do the same in the world of music. Anyway, in his blog post on Stephena.com, he veers far away from sports to politics. Check out his politcal perspective on a Barack Obama presidency:

(copied and pasted from Stephena.com)

The right-wing mocks him as “The Messiah” while Democrats far-and-wide treat him like one. Conservatives question the legitimacy of Barack Obama, claiming a large segment of this nation is ignorant to what this Junior Senator from Illinois really represents. Meanwhile, liberals stand in unison, basking in the glow of his ascension, waiting to benefit from this unfathomable run that’s expected to end with a black man finally becoming the President of the United States of America.

And foolishly, too many African-Americans are joining the parade, treating this likelihood as if it’s a job finished. Instead of a job that’s just getting started.
If African-Americans truly want to assist Obama, helping him get elected is just the beginning. If we fail to educate ourselves about what his job really entails, if we refuse to make the sacrifices necessary to help America prosper – if far too many of us continue to perpetuate ignorance, a flagrant naiveté to what’s really going on, and choose instead to lean on excuses that continue to hinder our growth as individuals and as a community – an Obama Presidency will be in vain. Particularly for the majority of African-Americans who vigorously support him.

It’s time for us to wake up!

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Today's Randomness- In The Locker Room at My Gym

Location: My gym
Backdrop: The Ladies Locker Room

So, I decide to workout early, early this morning. I make my way to the locker room to see how challenged my cuteness was at that hour. Upon entering the locker room, I walk into the middle of a very loud conversation!! The excited loudness was coming from this elderly white lady (think Golden Girls, the oldest lady on the show), very short and feisty with her expressison; real cute.

The lady seemed to be having a discussion with anyone who would listen. Since I'd just walked into the locker room, I didn't really pay much attention, I did however continue to ear hustle. As I tried to shake my sleep, I kept hearing the lady state, "we need a change, we just need a change". She grabs her bag to exit, and with sass, turns around to address the women in the locker room, "if you all do not vote for Barack Obama, I'm kickin' yo ass when I see you again". Whoa, talk about a morning wake up call. After I recovered from my confused laughter, I got the the lady's attention and told her to look at my shirt, it read, "Women for Obama". High fives, high fives. Whew, I was safe from her wrath.

I still didn't confirm my morning cuteness, but that was ok, I could care less what I looked like after that experience- because truly I was smiling, thanks to that lady.

So the moral of the story: Go to your gym's locker room, check on your cuteness, and look for an old lady and pray she makes you smile. Wearing a smile and being able to reference a smiling moment throughout the day is much cooler than being cute.

I hope I see her again before the election. I'll be sure to carry my camera phone in hopes of catching another one of her episodes. Loved her!

Speaking of the elderly, shout out to Cloris Leachman, the 82 year old Dancing with the Stars participant. She was kicked off the show yesterday, thanks to the hateration from judge Kari Ann Inaba. I love the elderly. They rock!

My Randomness- Auditioning, Hip Hop Awards & The Somebodies.

More weekend stuff:

I went on an audition over the weekend for a television hosting gig. I would love to host and or produce a t.v. show relating to entertainment news, male/female relationships and politics. Co-hosting my monthly relationship forum, The Battle of the Sexes (we've been rockin' for 3 years...yeaaaahhh!!) and doing this blog truly serve as a source of inspiration. The audition was exhilarating and I would love to get "that" particular gig, but if don't, I enjoyed trying.

My BET Weekend....

I shifted my focus from CNN to BET to watch the repeat of the Hip Hop Awards. I know I'm late with show comments, but I gotta speak about the ladies of Hip Hop; weren't they HOT?!! I so loved their performance and those hip hop ciphers. Now, that's why I like hip hop! The rappers were flowin'. Jadakiss, Fab, Juelz, Hurricane Chris, and the new guys NICE. Jadakiss and a guy named Ace Hood. I am so feeling the flow of the lyrics, fellas. Jadakiss, "Mr. "I will stay in my lane, 'til it opens up". Love it.
Thanks for getting my attention.

Another thing on BET. Am I the last one to catch BET's new original show, The Somebodies? That's a pretty cool show. Hey now BET! As soon as this election is over, I will add more viewing channels to my selection.

Thoughts & Prayers to Jennifer Hudson & Family

I want to send out prayers of comfort to Jennifer and Julia Hudson and members of their family. What a tragedy! I am not one to process death, especially murders too well, so this news is shaking my mind right now. Prayers for little Julian's safe return home to his mother Julia!

Obama Leads in the 7-Eleven Poll

Forget all of the other Presidential poll results, 7-Eleven's poll, based on the sale of Presidential candidate's coffee cups. Obama cups have out-sold McCain, 60% to 40%. According to 7-election.com, during the 2000 & 2004 elections, George W. Bush sold more cups than his opponents, Gore and Kerry. Hmmmm, 7-Eleven, I hope you're on to somethin'.

I support the cup campaign atleast 2 times a week. Everytime I walk into a 7-Eleven, I have to search deep to find an Obama cup. I think I have a taste for some hot chocolate....I know just where I would like to go.

(cup results)
www.7-election.com

You Betta Sing Scarlet!! A Much Watch Video

Oh geez! I'm sure most have seen this video. I spotted it in the blogsphere last week and it only had 70,000 hits, and now it's x's 10. For the few who haven't seen this, please watch the entire video. If you become impatient, start the video at 2:13 and watch on. I would suggest watching the ENTIRE video to have the best laugh ever. Please please. The best laugh ever.

I Found My Smile Again, Thanks D'Angelo

During my quest to investigate how many artists use Auto-Tune (pitch correction technology) to adjust their vocals to make them sound better or for some other creative way of recording vocals (T-Pain) my ears have been so focused on the radio lately....I'll post my findings at another time. I will say this: the use of Auto-Tune is purely overkill, and featuring T-Pain or Lil' Wayne on a project, in my opinion does nothing for the artists featuring them, it actually adds more focus to T-Pain or Wayne.

Anyway, I digress, the purpose of this post is to talk about the super sexy D'angelo and his return to the music scene.

Check out "I Found My Smile Again", D'angelo's new single; I hope he's been working out too. :)

Diddy Tells Us Why Obama Could Lose

OJ: GUILTY!!!!

Tiffany: 13 years to the day of his acquittal for murder, OJ just minutes ago was found guilty of all 12 counts. See details from CNN below.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (CNN) -- The jury has reached a verdict in O.J. Simpson's armed robbery and kidnapping trial in Las Vegas, Nevada, a defense lawyer and a court official said Friday.
The jury reached the verdict 13 years to the day O.J. Simpson was acquitted of two murders.

Simpson arrived at the Clark County Justice Center at around 10:50 p.m. (1:50 a.m. Saturday ET). The verdicts were expected to be read once all of the lawyers and defendants arrived in the courtroom.

The jury of nine men and three women, none of them African-American, began deliberations Friday after hearing from 22 witnesses over 12 days of testimony. Chief among the witnesses were seven of the nine people inside Room 1203 of the Palace Station Hotel and Casino for the September 13, 2007 confrontation. (continue)

N.W.A.- The Worlds Most Dangerous Group

Earlier this week I was invited by EMI Music's and Executive Producer, Rayshon Harris to attend a screening for the VH-1 documentary, NWA: The World's Most Dangerous Group. The documentary airs tonight (Friday, Oct 3rd). Looking back to the late 80's, NWA's, Straigh Outta Compton was in heavy rotation in my tape deck. NWA's music caused much dissention in my family----my dad loved them and was cool with the heavy rotation, and I believe borrowed the tape for his own listening pleasure at times, but my mother, oh lawwwwd....she actually destroyed the tape, unravelled its existence so much a # 2 pencil couldn't help me put it back together (Grown and Sexies-you feel me on the pencil and the cassette tapes, right?)

The documentary, narrated by Chris Rock (his funny is effortless) is well produced and I'm certain fans will appreciate the journey back to the late 80's/early 90's. Those who rep L.A. will have an instant connection to the footage in film. And the youth, who probably didn't know Dr. Dre was a member of another group before there was an NWA, or an Aftermath, will receive a history lesson. After watching the documentary, I gained a better understanding of Eazy E, the businessman.

A panel discussion moderated by writer Cheo Hodari Coker with DJ Yella and Eazy E's son, Lil Eazy followed the screening. John Singleton was in the audience and told his story of having to pay Eazy E. 50 grand to use the title, Boyz In The Hood for his critically acclaimed film of the same title.
Tune in tonight at 11pm on VH-1.

DJ Yella, Tiff (creatiffchatter.com), writer Cheo Hodari Coker, and Lil Eazy E. after the screening.

Executive producer, Rayshon Harris & Tiffany
after the screening.

Rayshon, thanks for the invite!

Ya'll check for her executive producer credit at the end. (smiles)

Creatiff Humor: Sarah Palin Scares Puffy

Puffy urges us to vote because he's afraid of what could happen if Sarah Palin becomes President. LOL. I guess that means he's saying vote for Obama!

I understand his urgent concern, because like me, he's a November Scorpio; our bday's will not be happy if Obama isn't declared the President. Check out Diddy Blog #24.

Top 10 Reasons Sarah Palin Cancels the Debate by David Weinberger

Huffington Post's David Weinberger writes:

10. Suspicious Russian tourists spotted across the Bering strait in Dezhnevo

9. Wrasslin' a bear

8. Learns Tina Fey will be watching

7. When taken on tour of White House by McCain handlers, is "inadvertently" locked in Cheney's man-sized safe

6. Schedule for memorizing state capitals thrown off by need for new schedule to memorize states

5. Speechless after finally looking up what "MILF" stands for

4. On deadline to finish her book, Namin' Your Baby the Alaskan Way

3. Needs more time to really nail those hilarious hair-plug zingers

2. No matter how hard she scrubs, she can't get Kissinger's moral stank off of her

1. Stuck in traffic on the Bridge to Nowhere

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Gilbert Arenas Engaged!!

Washington Wizards Gilbert Arenas aka Agent Zero is an engaged man. Check out how it all went down. Lovin' it!!

Thanks Shan!

From Gilbert Arenas' blog:

You all want to hear about the big moment, huh?

It started off as a surprise birthday party for my girlfriend, Laura.

The party was on the 20th and her birthday is on the 21st. To set up the surprise party, I had to figure out how to surprise somebody who wants a surprise party? I mean, how do you do that?

Basically, you start off with a whole bunch of lies. That’s how you do it.

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