Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves

"Sisters are doing it for themselves. Standing on their own two feet and ringing their own bells."- Annie Lenox and Aretha Franklin


So this weekend, I went to my very first conference of the American Library Association which provided me the opportunity to network and engage with others in my newly-discovered profession and I must say that I enjoyed most of it.  And I am tired as hell which is why I am writing this from home.


The company where I have worked since July 2011 switched me over from Diversity Fellow to a full-time employee as a Metadata Specialist.  However, attending this conference was one of my fellow duties.  I had to serve as a representative of my company's commitment to diversity.  This also entailed my badge photo being blown up for all to see as my company updated the rest of ALA on its happenings.


I knew this from my time participating in NABJ, but I really enjoyed being in the mix.  Every time I sat in a session to hear about the update of where librarianship was heading, I met someone new, business cards were exchanged and soon after this blog, I will have to send out some follow-up e-mails.  I plan on riding out this Diversity Fellow thing as long as I can to make contacts.


In writing this blog, I decided to just sum up my points on attending my first ALA conference in a list. 
1) Unlike journalism, librarians aren't necessarily used to seeing aggressive neo-librarians.  Actually, quite a few expressed surprise at how quickly I exchanged information.


2) Library conferences are seriously all about learning.  There is socializing but after sitting in session after session, you will just want to eat and go to sleep.


3) People are so super-eager to mentor you and help you out if they think you are young.  I can't tell you how many free cab rides and meals I got as a result of this.


4) Adding to the last point, if they help you out, they also want to see you contribute to the organization in some shape, way or form. Therefore, I will be joining at least five listservs after this blog.


5)  While I plan to get involved with the Black Caucus of ALA, I definitely don't want to limit myself within the bigger organization.  While it was more organized than some black organizations I have participated in, I did not feel the embrace that I did with the other divisions of ALA. And yes those divisions were predominantly white.  


6) Had a chance to talk with our other Diversity Fellow out of California who vented about what he wasn't doing and how he couldn't get what he wanted out of the fellowship. And how he didn't know what he would be doing with his life in six months once it was over.  Felt sorry for him, but one thing I've learned is the main time you can ask for what you want and prove yourself is when you're the new person.  I communicated my wants and needs into a job. Go me. This sister did it for her damn self.


7) I have gypsy written on my forehead.  Had dinner with my boss and she pretty much told me she doesn't see me trying to stay at my company forever.  I am a go-getter and she encouraged me to continue my raised profile at my company.


8) If there are black, experienced women at your company, they will pull you aside for a "keep it real" moment on how to move up in the company and how much harder you will have to work. And they will keep their ear to the ground for you. 


So there you have it. Less professional blog is forthcoming.

Red High Heels

"Oh you can watch me walk if you want to, want to. I bet you want me back, now don't you, don't you? I'm about to show you just how missin' me feels, in my red high heels."-Kellie Pickler

Happy New Year!!! Yeah, I'm a few days late, but once again I've been busy.

One particularly busy day was New Year's Eve. On that day, I was in Washington, D.C. visiting with two of my closest friends as we broadcasted our "shoe porn" for all the world to see.

For me, my hot pink pumps were a chance to do something a little different.  For the most part, my shoe collection consist of shoes in the hues of black or silver.  There is like one pair of royal blue shoes as well as a pair of goldish shoes and some brown shoes.  But the hot pink were definitely a departure from my norm.

Can we say five-inch heel?  Can we also say hot pink as has already been mentioned before.  Never in my life had I felt that tall.  Nor have I ever had the feeling of wearing some of the baddest shoes in the room.

Then, there was my friend who wore some hot and sexy shoes herself.  But her shoes had  a story.  See, this time last year, she was curled up in a ball mourning the engagement that was.  The shoes could've fell victim to the the death of that relationship. But instead, she turned them into a deadly pair of party heels and felt ever the better for it.  No longer the "wedding shoes", they are henceforth known as "the party shoes."

Who knew shoes had so much power? I think our "shoe porn" gave us the self-esteem orgasm we all need every once in awhile.

My Grown-Up Christmas List

 

"Well I'm all grown up now. Can you still help somehow? I'm not a child, but my heart still can dream."- Monica

I kind of stole this from a friend, but I have actually always loved this song, particularly this rendition. 

When you're a child, Christmas is so often a magical holiday even when you learn there's really no Santa Claus.  For one day a year, people make a wholehearted effort to focus on their friends and family.  Joy comes from the face of the recipient of that present that you pounded the pavement for hours searching for.  Food and drink are aplenty.  You can sing corny songs that have been around forever and no one looks at you crazy.

Yet, I'm knowing more and more adults who don't celebrate or acknowledge Christmas because it is a "kid's holiday."  Screw that.  

I still express a childlike enthusiasm for this time of year. Christmas songs are on my Ipod. I have presents to wrap today.  Grandma got pies and cakes waiting for me.  Good times.

So for 2011, going into 2012, I am sharing my grown up Christmas list. 

1. A permanent full-time job.

2. Healthy additions to my family. (Not me, I swear.)

3. A willingness to take greater chances in the coming year that will reap for even greater reward.

4. For my friends and family closest to me to share in this willingness.

5. Positivity surrounding me as much as possible.

6. More money.

7. Tyrese.

8. All that stuff they sing about in the aforementioned song. 

9. Tyrese. (Hey, may just get it right if you say it twice.)

All I Want For Christmas Is You

"Make my wish come true. All I want for Christmas is you..."- Mariah Carey


It's Friday. I wanted to share a feel-good song. I love Mariah. I'm happy she is getting a BET Honor. I love this song. So I figured that I would share it. Muah. See you later. 

The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)

"We can hardly stand the wait. Please Christmas don't be late."- The Chipmunks

I am a Christmas person.  I look forward to blasting the Christmas music.  I do the Christmas tree and send out Christmas cards.  Yes, I am that person.

But, for some reason, this year, it’s taking a little bit more effort for some reason.  My Christmas shopping was completed weeks ago.  Last night, I forced myself upon the throngs of shoppers in the local Meijer to seek out a Christmas tree and decorations.  And when I got home, I arranged them in a way that I deemed desirable.  And it turned out pretty.

Today, I am sitting here gathering the materials to write out my Christmas cards for the year.  Normally, this is a day or weekend after Thanksgiving event, but alas, I was at home.  Actually, that’s normally when I put up my tree too.

Maybe I’m just thrown off by my strict adherence to that timeline in previous years.  One thing I do know is that my apartment does feel a little cheerier.  Plus, I feel it’s important to compel yourself to engage in those activities which you know you will ultimately enjoy especially when the only person who may benefit is you and the only reward is a smile.  We tend to force ourselves to participate in everything else.

Unwritten

“I break tradition. Sometimes my tries are outside the lines.”- Natasha Bedingfield

Oh how Natasha Bedingfield often sings my heart and mind. And you have to love that name.

Anyway, today’s blog was inspired by two events in popular culture. 

Last night, I was watching the AMAs on my television and via Twitter.  Taylor Swift won quite a few awards and I noticed that my timelines erupted with much support for Kanye’s treatment of Swift a couple of years ago at the VMA’s.  For the record, I believed Kanye was rude then and I still believe he was rude now.  From where I stood, Swift did nothing to West.  She just won an award that he believed belonged to another artist.  However, for those of us who don’t mind venturing to radio stations that play Top 100 fare, we know you couldn’t turn the radio on without hearing her songs.  She was as inescapable as the Beyonce that she won against. 

I digress. So let’s move on to today.  A story was released that spoke of how those attending Nascar event booed First Lady Michelle Obama.  Mind you, she came to talk about a bipartisan issue.  And guess what? The same people who wanted Kanye to shut people up last night were up in arms about the country’s First Lady being booed.  Mind you, many presidents and their associates have been booed before.  But oh no, now it’s rude to interrupt someone. 

Guess what, it was rude then and it is rude now.  But I guess all these people will teach their children that it is fine to be rude to the people we don’t like but it’s blasphemous to be rude to the people that we adore. Especially when skin color is involved.

On to the next one.   I am a faithful viewer of most reality shows showcasing singing talent and I am a proud alumna of Howard University.  Nevertheless, when I watched the Sing-Off, the group Afro Blue that represented my alma mater disappointed me many times.  For one thing, they were not consistent.  Secondly, as a damn-near connoisseur of these vocal shows, the one thing I can’t stand hearing beyond the second season of a show is “we don’t do that” or “we’re not familiar with that.” And Afro-Blue kept saying it week after week.  Once they pretty much said they didn’t know the words to “We Belong Together” by my beloved Mariah Carey, I just knew they were not winning.  Did I forget to mention that they wound up in the bottom two on R&B night?  How are you the only all-black group and end up in the bottom two on that night.  The Sing-Off is an acapella show, not a jazz showcase.  I like the Dartmouth Aires. They are entertaining.  I like Pentatonix. They’re talented.  I could live without Urban Method.

But in all honesty, I couldn’t really get down with Afro Blue.  Don’t get me wrong, when they performed well, I applauded.  And I understand that by affiliation I am supposed to support them.  HOWEVER, anybody who knows me knows that affiliation only means I give someone a little bit more of a chance.  Affiliation does not make me deaf, dumb or blind to all that I have learned about music competitions over the years.  My support in instances like this is earned because I don’t know them like that and I know what I like.

I guess because I’m black and I went to HU, I’m not supposed to feel that way, right? 

Oops, I Did It Again

“Oops I did it again. I played with your heart. Got lost in the game.”- Britney Spears

When I was a teenager, this was just a song with a cool video that had my closest bisexual friend mimicking the choreography in the middle of class.  Mind you, he was in the closet then, but this was a big hint of things to come. 

Nevertheless, I digress.  As a person awaiting the often-fabled thirties, I can’t help but to think how this song has actually applied to my life over the years.

Despite being single for nine years, I have to admit some men have attempted to pursue something of substance with me.  Those nine years are evidence that they failed or I failed.  Hell, someone failed.

I can’t tell you how many times men have gotten frustrated with me after our first hours-long conversation went extremely well.  Apparently, I’m into a lot of things that other women are not into and a lot of things that women are into, I’m not.  I can be so involved. Hell, I can learn your whole life story.

As a former journalist, it’s pretty easy for me to recall information and show interest.  So during any follow-up call, one may get excited that I recall the little details.  I’ll tell you about my day.

But I kind of have this really bad habit of not initiating communication unless I really like a guy.  It may appear as I’m playing hard to get. Unfortunately, it really means one has not reached a level of interest where I feel like calling or texting.  And then I get hit with the “I don’t think you’re really feeling me.” And I tend to want to go “you’re right.”

What can I say? Like most women, I appreciate the attention, however, it takes a little more to keep my interest and trust, that more is not arrogance and cockiness.  Maybe I should just stop smiling and saying hello back.