Coming Soon...Tape That! The Blog and Radio Show

So as you know I am always coming up with new ideas and new ways of expressing myself. Within the next week I will be launching a new blog site called Tape That! which will coincide with my new Blog Talk Radio Show. I ask for your continued support and love as I continue to venture out into this land that I love called COMMUNICATIONS.

Peace and Love...

**UPDATE** It didn't happen within a week but stay tuned for the launch... It's coming soon!

I AM THANKFUL

We are now deep into the Fall Harvest and this brings Thanksgiving Day. I would like to take this time to wish you and your families a very blessed, joyous, and love filled day of togetherness, thanks, and remembrance. 

Samsung Feel Free Video Contest

Two Major Holiday Happenings in New York

Two of New York City's most widely celebrated and anticipated events are quickly approaching- The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the lighting of the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center.

This year the Thanksgiving Day Parade will be turning 84 years old.

The parade will take place on Thursday, Nov. 25, starting at 77th Street and Central Park West and ending at 34th Street and Seventh Avenue with 3.5 million people spectators expected to be in attendance and an additional 50 million people expected to view the live television broadcast.  

The other highly anticipated holiday event is the annual lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. This year the 78th Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be revealed in all of its splendor, completely decorated, on Nov. 30. It will be on display until Jan. 2. 

During this time, the tree's Christmas lights will be lit between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. 

Let Freedom Reign!

With her much anticipated latest album "Let Freedom Reign" set to release on November 30th, Chrisette Michele is making a bold statement through her latest mix tape "Love Thy Brother"  (released on November 5th), her new photo shoot for YRB Magazine, and her recent vocalization on the "disrespect in hip hop".

After Rick Ross apparently was quite upset and walked out of the 2010 Soul Train Awards when he lost to Eminen for "Best Hip Hop Song", Chrisette took to Twitter to express her feelings on the matter:

"If this is the way hip hop is then I denounce it. 
This is not about ego. This is about what I can bring to the world. My life is for the people. I live to give. "

"It’s my desire to bring life and freedom light and love everywhere I go. Upward mobility in the brown skinned community."

"Who stands off at an award show because they don’t win? An award is winning at being as “stuck in a category” as possible. Congratulations to all the trophy holders who won at being the most like every one else."

"I could have sworn hip hop was on the come up. But apparently rapping is about venting, bashing, chauvinistic pigging, and EGO. Not cool. Don’t let me start rapping."

"They say…I’m ecclectic. I’m underrated. I’m different. Well If I win an award it’s because I paved a way. Every award I’ve won was new in it’s category. You know why? Because I’m amazing at being my damn self."

"Grammy – best alternative R&B song Centric award – Soul Approved Etc
Have u even heard of those categories? Nope. But guess what? You ain’t never seen another me. And u never will. No ego here. Why? Because it’s none needed. My award is waking up every morning and CAKING off of what I believe in by the grace of God."

"Maybe I’ll call my 4th album “winners : just like every body else” maybe not.
I pray with every song I sing Im singing from the bottom of my heart. If all we want is an award for telling our truths, then we really have no true reason. This isn’t a competition. This is a stage for self expression and I’m grateful for the opportunity to live on it. I’d sing even if nobody sang along. "

"-from the bottom of my disappointed heart. Hip Hop… Man up. I wanted to be supportive but I can’t understand you. I believed in you… But apparently you’re so high you can’t even see what the world needs."

"Is all hip hop like that? Absolutely not! But some of it certainly is. Let me spit a few bars. I’m not that kinda hip hop. I rep hip hop too. But not that kinda ego trippin foolery. Chrisette Michele – the girl on that Aston Martin Music record…Spread Love."

Can you all join me as I give this woman a standing ovation for saying what so many others have thought but never had the guts to actually speak? 

Social Media: Public Relatons 2.0

I found the following article to be very interesting and added proof that Social Media 

is changing the face of Communication.

Survey: 60% use social media to 'call' home when 

traveling instead of phone, e-mail

   

 By Barbara De Lollis, USA TODAY

Waiting to hear how hubby's pitch went in London, or if your daughter's enjoying her first Thanksgiving away from home with her new in-laws?

Don't bother waiting by the phone or checking e-mail.

A new survey suggests that a whopping 60% of us now use social media - instead of making a call or sending an e-mail - to connect with our family and friends back home when we're traveling.

TWITTER: Follow Hotel Check-In's Barbara De Lollis

ALSO ONLINE: Hotels chase coffee aficionados with high-end coffee makers

ALSO ONLINE: Why you should expect to see room rates rise

The Sheraton-commissioned survey bases its findings on phone interviews with 4,024 people in the U.S., U.K., and China. Conducted by StudyLogic LLC, the survey reveals some other brow-raising stats that back up what we already know - that social media is a driving force in many of our lives - even when we're busy traveling. Other findings:



Even when there's happy news to share with friends and loved ones back home, 36% say they'd rather log in than make a phone call to spread the word.

77% say they access social media sites such as Facebook throughout the day, with 33% saying they log in multiple times each hour.

39% say they "could not live without" social media sites.

When traveling, 20% of respondents say they still manage to check social media sites multiple times throughout the day.
When it comes to planning trips, 64% said they use social media to make their plans; within the 25-34-year-old age group, however, the figure's 76%.

Sheraton's survey coincides with the just-completed roll-out of a newly created social media hub in all of its hotel lobbies.

Today, all 400 Sheraton hotels contain a Microsoft-powered "Link@Sheraton" area that was one of the key features of Sheraton's $6 billion, global revamp. The lobby lounge area is designed as a social media hub, with a cafe, televisions and - get this! - daily newspapers. The area also contains computer stations where you can check e-mail or print a boarding pass.

(Yes, much to many road warriors' dismay, guests still must pay for Internet in their rooms, unless you're an elite-level platinum member of the Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty program.)

Sheraton, by the way, says that more than 50% of its guests use the Link@Sheraton during their hotel stay.

What's the No. 1 most-visited site at the Link?

Facebook.

"K.O....End of Round One"

I did a previous post on Kyra Climbingbear a little while back and here I am again letting the world know how fabulous this songstress is. Kyra's song "Champion" proves to be a great inclusion for any of the following soundtracks:

"You Thought The Grass Was Greener On The Other Side But Mother Nature Fooled You"

"I Can Make Money Without You...Peace Out Partner"

"Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones But Words Will Never Hurt Me"

and many others. :-)

This song will definitely add some pep to your step and make you want to pop your collar!

What's your "Champion" story? Please feel free to share in the comments section below.

Is Project Titan Really the Gmail Killer?

On Monday, November 15, 2010 Facebook unveiled the plans for its newest venture, a "not email" service (Project Titan) which the company is coining the Gmail Killer. The new inbox will provide users with an @facebook.com address and allow utilization of Facebook's instant messaging system, SMS, send emails, leave comments, and post messages all in one place. During a time when society has become accustomed to instant results Facebook could very well be onto something. Every new generation will naturally be more technologically advanced so it is beneficial to all of the social media and email outlets to stay ahead of the game and as we know Facebook has definitely proven itself to be capable of social media takeover but I don't think I'll be tossing my gmail account anytime soon. I do admit that I am very interested in trying this service though. I believe that it can prove to be a great tool for networking and sharing information quickly.




What do you think? Can you see yourself using Facebook's email as your primary email service?

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park : Events Calendar : New York City Department of Parks & Recreation

Wow! It's almost that time of the year again. When all of the wrongs of the year seem to be made right, and sugar plum fairies visit the dreams of all little boys and girls while aromas of gingerbread fill the air. Walking along the streets of Manhattan you are sure to smell the strangely comforting aroma of chestnuts roasting on an open fire (well as open as you

will get from a street vendor's cart). Ah yes, there is nothing like the Holidays in New York City and adding to the sparkle and excitement are all of the great sights, sounds, and shops! Want to deck the halls a little earlier this year or maybe just stroll along to soak up some tidings of comfort and joy? Check out the Holiday Shops at Bryant Park.

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park

November 5, 2010 - January 2, 2010

11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

The park’s tree-lined allees are transformed into the city’s premiere holiday shopping destination with custom-designed jewel box kiosks.

Open daily, the over 100 boutique-style shops and specialty food stores from around the world offer exquisite and distinctive apparel, jewelry, decorative goods, imported and local food, and much more.

For a complete list vendors, an insider’s guide to The Holiday Shops, and more, please visit www.TheHolidayShopsatBryantPark.com or call (212) 661-6640.

BEATING BEING BEATEN

After returning from an outing this afternoon we pulled up in front of my house and as my father started to unload the car I watched as a woman approached. I sat in the car but instantly felt some sort of weird connection to this woman. My soul was so in tune with her energy that I swear it felt like an invisible hand was reaching out from inside of me to comfort her. I could not hear a single word that she was saying so I wanted to step out to see if my intuition was correct; see when this woman first walked up a picture flashed before my eyes and I saw this woman in an apartment being beaten and choked. I stepped out of the car and walked up to her and said, "Hello." She stopped in mid sentence of what she was saying to my father and turned to me and said, "Hello Miss." She was wearing a brown graffiti painted hoodie with cream colored jeans and work boots. She looked clean but then she removed her hood and I wanted to cry. This beautiful sister had a black eye and bruises all around her neck. She looked at me and said, "Miss please I'm hungry, and I have no money to get anything to eat." My heart went out to her. I handed her the money and she shook my hand, thanking me over and over again. She told me her name was Carmel and I told her mine after which I watched her walk down the block and go to the corner store. 

I turned to my father and asked, "What did she say when she first walked up?" He said that she told him she was living with a man who beats her and is controlling and because she has no money to get anything to eat she is hungry. As he told me this tears came to my eyes and I said a prayer for this beautiful woman. I started to feel terrible that I didn't do anything more but then I didn't know exactly what more I could possibly have done at that very moment. I prayed that if this woman should need any other assistance and if it is meant for me to help her that I will see her again. 

I have never been in a physically abusive relationship. I do not know what it is like to be in that situation. I can only imagine feeling confused because I love someone thinking they love me in return but not understanding why love has to hurt so much. I can only imagine coming up with the excuses I will use tomorrow when I go out to work when someone possibly notices the black and blue marks I'm wearing. I can only imagine feeling trapped because I have a child by this man (or with this woman) and right now I cannot afford to live on my own because he (or she) is the bread winner of the household and besides I want us to be a family. All of these things I can only imagine but sadly too many women can say that they know what it is like first hand.

So I say to my sisters who are in an abusive relationship right now... GET OUT!!!

Sister,

You are sacred. That man or woman that is hitting you does not love you. He/She can't love you because he/she does not love him/herself. See, our actions are reflections of our inner being. Do not make excuses for the pain that he/she continues to inflict upon you. Stand up and realize what you are. You are a woman. A woman is strength in its most infinite form. That man/woman in front of you would not be standing there today had it not been for a woman, and a woman before her, and a woman before her, and a woman before her. You are the essence of life. Do not allow anyone to tell you that you are anything less. Before him/her you had life and after him/her you will have life but that life is only guaranteed if you step away because every time that he/she hits you there is another chance that you may not make it out this time. Do not be afraid to leave; be afraid to stay. You are beautiful and you are worth so much more than what he/she is trying to make you believe. He/she is only stripping you of your self worth so that he/she can control you but it is time that you take back your power. Think of every baby girl in this world, every baby girl still in their mother's womb and every baby girl yet to be conceived and take a stand for each of them. I know the process of recovery may not be the easiest but the point is that YOU WILL RECOVER! Each second spent in this prison is another second that you will not be happy and though you may be trying to convince yourself of the fact that life is naturally not perfect and every day is not filled with sunshine it is your natural human birth right to determine your own happiness. It is not too late... Leave now.

With love, light, and prayers of protection and strength,

Aisha Nailah

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship and needs help feel free to contact The National Domestic Violence Hotline (www.thehotline.org). The organization even has a special feature that allows for "Quick Escape": 

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