I’d like to dedicate this poem to all those I’ve fought for, defended, raised, and eventually had to let go of, because their kind was undeserving…

YOUR KIND 
by Edine N. James

I sacrificed my state of mind
Time
Your kind was undeserving
Undermining my capabilities
To sweep you off your feet
But you wouldn’t allow it
Trust it
Or thank the good Lord for it
I spoon-fed it
Wrapped it up in pretty wrapping paper
And left it underneath your Christmas tree
For you to unravel 
Me
Hoping that you would see 
Me
My love for you
But your kind was undeserving
Incapable of understanding
This queen
Ready to love her king
Protect and serve her majesty
With every bit of energy
I would have fought
For our love
But you didn’t give me much thought
And now you see
What good it has done thee
…not much I can see.

NATALIE COLE
Comin’ from Where I’m From and Ain’t Nobody Worryin’, Anthony Hamilton
Anthony gets it. He is not afraid to be vulnerable and talk about what’s happening in the world today–this is good ol’ R&B to the max.

Leavin’, Natalie Cole (of course) 
What can I say other than I am extremely proud of this project. There is a freedom here in the selection of the songs as well as in the arrangements and in the vocals that I have not felt in years… enjoy.

FEIST
“Nighttime/Anytime” - - Constantines
The best voice in rock and roll and the unparalleled best band on a stage.

“Fruits Of My Labor” - - Lucinda Williams
Her voice lends absolute truth to the lyrics which are riding on the most reserved and intuitive playing. She is incredible.

“I Summon You” - - Spoon 
First was played this song by my friend the Apostle of Hustle and Spoon became a major discovery for both of us.

“Mango Pickle Down River” - - M.I.A. 
Australian kids rapping with the high princess of beats. Sounds like a dayglow daycare.

“Indian Queens” - - Nick Lowe
When I discovered The Convincer it was a living above a record shop. I’d wake up every morning to them blasting records for themselves before they opened. One day it was Nick Lowe and it drew me downstairs to buy it.

“Eyes on the Prize” - - M. Ward 
“With my eyes on the prize and my mind on you. I put my pride on the line, and my whole life too.” 

“Please Be Patient With Me” - - Wilco
This man is telling the truth.

“Send It On” - - D’Angelo
Low light, warm eyes, beware of the power of the rimshot.

“You, the Queen” - - Tony Scherr
This is from the Hottest State soundtrack. Tony is my favorite guitar player and his voice is molasses, honey, and tar.

“F?ked Up Kid” - - Kevin Drew
This is my favorite song from my favorite album of the year, Spirit If….
Pure heart.

“Only Love Can Break Your Heart” - Neil Young
I just found a cardboard box filled with cassettes from when i was a teenager. This album was in it, though I don’t remember hearing it. And then the next day I rented a moving van that was so old it had a cassette player in it, so I listened to the album in it’s scratchy entirety and thought, if I had heard this 10 years ago maybe I would have started playing guitar sooner, or who knows what else. But it would have been a pivot to somewhere, which is what it feels like now. 

RAHEEM DEVAUGHN

Lauryn Hill “Ex Factor” – “I love how she flipped the sample in the record. She sang it with so much conviction.”

Marvin Gaye  ”What’s Going On” – “This song was before it’s time. It’s like he foreshadowed the future to make an amazing record that has still remained relevant to this day.” 

Prince  ”I Would Die 4 U” – “Two years ago I realized that this song was actually a gospel record and not a love song. So he had people dancing and going crazy in the clubs to gospel music. AMAZING!!!”

Bob Marley “Redemption Song”- It was like he channeled the mind of a slave, to give us insight of what it was like. Very vivid imagery.

Curtis Mayfield  ”Pusher Man”- He brought a hustlers world to life, allowing you to see through their eyes.

“Tupac-Pac  was a movement, he wasn’t just one song. He was another artist that managed to foreshadow the future which has allowed his legacy to remain relevant after his death.

“A Tribe Called Quest  You can’t have just one favorite Tribe record. It’s like as soon as you pick your favorite, you hear another dope track. I will say that “Midnight Marauders” is my favorite album.

The Roots  ”Proceed” – INSTANT CLASSIC!!! This should be a song that every artist plays before they get ready to perform, write or record. 

Jimi Hendrix  ”Hey Joe”-The fusion of the blues & rock is crazy and the story is amazing.

Earth Wind & Fire  ”Can’t Hide From Love” – Timeless music. 

Check out other artists at Amazon.com

Love is what the world needs, but on a more personal level, love is what keeps people happy. Love can make you smile from ear to ear effortlessly. And unfortunately, it’s what many people are missing in their lives. But what is it that prohibits love from entering our lives. Is it the fear of being hurt? The fear of being vulnerable or taken advantage? The fear of the other person not equally feeling the same way you feel about them? At the end of the day, it all sums up the FEAR of being HURT. Fear can ruin your life and all of your dreams if you allow it to rule your life!

Fear eliminates happiness.

Fear eliminates hope.

Fear eliminates success.

So with that being said, stop living in fear and allow love and happiness to enter your world! Here’s how you can do it:

1. STOP ENVISIONING IT WON’T EVER WORK. The visions and thoughts we create in our heads and put out into the world is what will eventually come to fruition one way or the other. Think negatively, get negative results. Think positively, get positive results!

2. DON’T LOOK FOR THE WORST in a potential lover. Because that is exactly what you will find. And when you do see something that you don’t like, address it, don’t run from it. Who on God’s green earth is perfect? You must expect the expected, like mistakes and flaws, because you have them too.

3. WORK AT IT. Don’t back down just because you are facing obstacles. We must face them in every aspect of life. In your career, you run into brick walls, but then you fight and break them down to get to success. In friendships, you have disagreements, and then laugh if it off because you realize it’s just not that serious. In love, why should it be any different?

4. Be HONEST! This is such an overlooked necessity in the success of love. Don’t be afraid to profess your love. Be serious about your feelings and don’t be afraid to put them out there. Sometimes that’s what we wait for from our lovers: for them to tell us how they are really feeling about us. It’s hard to know how to maneuver a relationship when the feelings are unclear. Seize the moment!

5. Have RESPECT for one another. Without respect, love cannot survive. If the routine is to curse and scream at one, disregard each other’s feelings and opinions, sleep around with other people, the love shared between the two of you will cease to exist. The only way love can survive this is if these elements are removed from your relationship. Respect is key, just as key as……………………..>

6. COMMUNICATION. So important! And so underrated. A couple must talk to one another and keep all lines of communication open. Simple. If not, you will never fully understand your lover, preventing you from ever really knowing who they are.

7. ASK QUESTIONS. And be prepared to answer the questions you have asked. You should have an idea of who your partner is and what they want out of life. Don’t wait until you get married and have kids to find out if your spouse believes in commitment and enjoys children. Those questions should be asked before you even lay with one another, because once sex enters the equation, it might be too late…

8. BE VULNERABLE. Yeah, I said it! Let your guard down. How will love enter your world if you have a wall up? Believe it or not, people respect those who do not have fear. Those are the most intriguing people (in my opinion) because we are surrounded by hurt and pain and some people are so unphased by it all. They live as if their only fear in life is that of God. Have faith. Open your heart and let love in.

9. BE YOURSELF. If you’re naturally a silly person, be silly with your lover. And don’t wait until you’re three months into your relationship to act like a clown. Walk into it the same way you intend to walk out of it (if necessary)–YOURSELF. Yes, of course, you will pick up ideas and maybe some new personality traits, because yes, we are human and we are susceptible to change. But know who you are, be proud of it, and show it off every now and then!

10. GET READY FOR WAR. But don’t be ready to win. It’s not about competing, and that is what we must accept. When we say love is war, love comes with obstacles where misunderstanding, hurt, disrespect, hesitation, mistrust, miscommunication, dishonesty, (even insanity!), and pain will all be thrown about in the storm. But even through everything I’ve just mentioned, love can survive. Love will weather the storm. And with that being said, don’t give up on love. Cherish it within you, and share it with the world.

Things I will leave behind:

1.  PEACE and QUIET! The most disturbance in my neighborhood is the sound of a fire truck driving by every once a month

2.  NO TRAFFIC.  I’m a driver and any day I don’t have to be stuck in gridlock is a blessed day.

3.  My BIG ROOM.  I love lots and lots of space.  Who doesn’t??

Things I look forward to:

1.  Being CLOSER to work and school.  Driving into the city can be a headache.

2.  The CONVENIENCE of the subway services. Who doesn’t love being chauffeured from one destination to the next?

3.  THAT OLE’ NEW YORK FEELING.  Something you can’t put into words…

Photograph by Kay Crain

Who doesn’t love New York in the first days of spring?… The days when 60 degrees feels like paradise after a winter filled with chapped lips and pale, pasty skin. Yesterday was in the 60′s, and it seemed as if New Yorkers were ready to take full advantage.  Downtown was filled with flip-flops and oversized sunglasses as people were happy just to get a slap of some sunshine. 

And now, it is a day later, and need I tell what today is like outside my window: clouds, rain, barren trees that truly remind me that this is New York in the Spring.  A tricky season that is schizophrenic in manner.  One day will be so warm outside that it would be a sin to stay indoors.  And then the very next day, you would be insane to get out of bed much less leave your apartment. So for today, pull out your raincoats and galoshes, and say hello to New York in the Spring.

As I watch the world fall apart before my eyes, I think about how all of this is affecting our lives now, and how it will affect us in the future.  Fear and immobility is being injected into society, enabling the state of affairs to worsen. How will this affect the future of the world?

1. Increase in Unemployment: as more and more businesses go bankrupt, more people will lose jobs 

2. Rise in Crime: as the unemployed struggle to make ends meet, the desperate take whatever means necessary to keep a roof over their head and food on the table

3. Homelessness at Record Numbers: another direct effect of layoffs and unemployment, people will lose homes and families will fall apart from not being able to pay mortgages and rent

4. Deterioration of Environment: as the world focuses on the economic crisis, environmental issues will be neglected and global warming will take a serious downturn

One thing that has always gotten me through my bouts of stress is music.  It is my stress reliever, my shoulder to lean on, my escape from reality.  Music puts me in a different place, allowing my mind to wander into another world, a world where anything goes.  So when I get so overwhelmed to the point where my brain shuts down, I stop and I listen. I find a song that makes me smile, or think of someone special. Lykke Li does that for me…

Long Live the Queen!” My zodiac sign of Leo has always pinned me to be regal, loyal, and generous, all the great qualities of a splendid queen. I don’t remember when I began obsessing over horoscopes but it’s been an interest of mine for years. Astrology is a science to me that touches on my spirituality, giving me insight into life, it’s meaning, and what exactly my purpose is on this earth. I don’t necessarily check my horoscope everyday, but say I meet a new guy, I will go home and read up on the compatibility of our signs. I can’t help it:) Maybe it’s the woman in me to actually consider the role our signs may play in a romantic relationship. And to be honest, as undependable as people may think astrology to be, in my case, it has proven to be quite helpful.

Going into a new year, I like to see what my horoscope has in store for me. And there’s nothing better than to get partially through the year and see things unfold according to what your horoscope may have predicted. The best part is having a friend read theirs and see the correlation between their life and the reading.

So for all you believers and non-believers, here’s a taste of what you may have in store in the ’09!

ARIES: (March 21–April 19)

Pioneering and courageous Aries is being called to times of incredible new growth and renewal. The considerable reflective time you have spent rehashing and deciding which avenue will best serve your highest purpose has shaken you to the very root of your personal belief systems. Through surrendering to your higher self, new realizations and golden opportunities you never thought possible are brilliantly opening up for you.

Your new commitment to self has given you a renewed appreciation of the your divine wisdom and accomplishments. The understanding you have radiates love and compassion, and is attracting your highest good.

As your creative spirit soars, the excitement you feel helps you submit to the larger purpose and vision gained in your dreamtime. You are easily able to bring your work out into the world with clarity and purpose. Your heart’s desires are quickly manifesting right before your eyes and you are able to reap long-standing benefits as you detach from the past and are catapulted forward.

Because of your humanitarian ideals and desire to be a helper in our emerging world, be careful not to fall into old patterns of helping others fulfill their needs rather than taking care of your own. As you grow, people are drawn to your altruistic ideas and your visionary and compassionate personality.

In spite of your good endurance and concentration, remember to take care of yourself on an everyday basis to maintain wholeness and integration. Finding a good physical outlet for your frustrations is important so that you don’t deplete your energy and prevent yourself from getting what you really want. Enjoyment is the fundamental desire of your life, and you are able to create the life you enjoy.

TAURUS: (April 20–May 20)

It’s time to celebrate yourself, Taurus! You are pouring yourself into your life’s mission and rejuvenating yourself with abundant thinking, which attracts great things to you. You’re diligently creating a public arena where opportunities will emerge for you tobe a teacher or messenger. Engagements for speaking, writing and sharing your thoughts will open up. Other people will be inspired by your enthusiasm and insight, and will support you in accomplishing your goals.

Taurus’s excitement radiates more than ever this year, bringing with it a magnificent energy the world has been lacking. As you embrace the power of your heart and spirit, you are allowing yourself to transform and align with a universal energy source. You discover the space for your creativity to flow and abundantly bring the truth of your being into the world. Your focus on your connection with a higher purpose brings out the best in you and refines your self-expression.

You appreciate all the expansive shifts that are taking place in your life, and you are learning to break up routines and old patterns of rigidity. This allows you a new level of awareness and acceptance of your ultimate purpose. Pay attention to what has heart and meaning. Express your truth and you will advance. You will find avenues to bring your talents and belief systems to philanthropic endeavors. By the end of the year, you will be able to slow down a bit and find more time to enjoy the new you that you have created.

GEMINI: (May 21–June 21)

As a Gemini, you possess an amazing ability to see dualities — the pros and cons of situations as change approaches — and to quickly and efficiently think them through before making any decisions. In 2009, you dare to look deeply into your desires, regenerate self-awareness and recognize psychological ambiguities. This will bring balance into your home and family life. Pay attention to the details as you bring your inner and outer life into harmony. And be sure to enjoy the changes occurring within you!

As you come to terms with yourself, you are able to see a more fulfilling purpose in life, and your field of experience broadens. Focus on matters that affect you most deeply and, like magic, your life will become easier and things will seem to take care of themselves. You have all the necessary resources and motivation to make tangible changes and achieve results this year.

Toward the end of the year, you’ll have time to enjoy yourself, and to bask in a great sense of accomplishment. With the expansive and idealistic energy flowing throughout 2009, Gemini is very comfortable in this age of new awareness and high-mindedness.

CANCER: (June 22–July 22)

As we enter the Golden Age of Aquarius, you are ready to receive all the blessings that are there for you, especially in the areas of communications and relationships.

Being understood and getting the responses you desire helps you believe in your ability to succeed and reach your highest potential. Your focus is excellent, and you know what you want. Use this to your advantage when working with others, but don’t demand that they see your ideas as visionary — even if you do. As ideas start flowing freely to you, make sure you articulate your insights clearly.

This year, you will be strongly motivated by transformation, especially in romantic unions. When balanced in your heart and mind, you easily express your emotions and are quick to support others. It is important for you to have a partner who is willing to explore different ways of doing things. You will experience many changes as you learn new ways of expressing yourself.

As you make this shift, avoid putting restrictions on yourself and stopping the flow. You are learning to behave in a new positive way, not worrying about the outcome. This will curb your need to control situations and enable you to take your relationships — work and personal — to a higher level of consciousness.

LEO: (July 23–August 22)

In 2009, you find yourself connecting with people effortlessly as your warm-hearted actions are acknowledged and radiated back to you in a way you’ve never experienced before. The confident joy and happiness you freely give to others gives you the innate ability to be productive. For you, kind actions are the way to transformation and success.

This is a perfect time for proud Leo, because you have the desire, drive and power to help society. You realize there’s work to do, and you’ll give a helping hand wherever you can. You are ready to align yourself with a higher level of awareness, and exhibit a regenerative attitude is about reaping the harvest by submitting to the larger purpose. What you are able to give to others directly reflects the transformation happening within you.

Your heart is in the right place, and you are likely to accomplish all that you set out to do this year. You’re developing excellent skills in your own personal transformation process, and you are ready to make the conscious decision to be the best you can be. You feel secure, and the beauty of who you are shines through easily and effortlessly.

VIRGO: (August 23–September 22)

Wonderful things are in store for you this year, Virgo! You’re experiencing tremendous feelings of rebirth and, as you release old ways of expressing yourself, you’ll find yourself walking into all kinds of new experiences. Virgo loves to make sure everything is clear, concise and methodical, and this will help make it easy for you to graciously receive and beautifully adapt to the growth you are experiencing. You’ll feel very peaceful with the changes happening both inside and outside of you, and you welcome the opportunity to express the new knowledge you gain.

There’s a renaissance going on within you that seems to have been asleep for sometime now. You discover where the doorway is and are ready to consciously find new meaning in your life, and to manifest who you are in your own way. Mentally, culturally, instinctually and spiritually, you’ll be going through incredible transformation this year. Your fresh take on life will give you the ability to manifest a new reality. You take a big leap forward as you share these changes with others.

A re-emergence of your inventive and creative self will give you new ways of taking action and bringing your talents into the world. You will feel secure, safe and centered, which allows you to achieve anything you want in your life. You will feel more spiritually balanced in 2009 than ever before.

LIBRA: (September 23–October 23)

Brilliant ideas come easily into Libra’s awareness throughout 2009. As you trust your higher self and allow thoughts to flow freely, you are able to embrace new opportunities and make positive changes in your life. You come to a higher level of understanding and appreciation as you let go of old ideas. You’re no longer separated from what you want as you to detach from limiting thoughts, bringing you a new spiritual perspective of feeling fully supported and loved.

As you stay centered within your core, your highest ideals manifest, and you have the ability to help others realize their interconnectedness, and bring balance into their lives. Your efforts bring you into a more stable way of working than ever before, an important development, what with all the changes occurring this year.

You are a natural conduit, and you are able to receive messages that will help you grow in every area of your life. You have a strong inner sense of direction for where life is going, so trust and allow your struggles to be released.

SCORPIO: (October 24–November 21)

Get out there and communicate your passionate awareness to the world this year, Scorpio! As you articulate your beliefs, you will move your life — and the planet — toward a more spiritual and thoughtful reality. Positively express yourself and your vision, and you will be a source of great inspiration.

Scorpio loves challenges, especially when it involves transformational energy. As you purify your instincts and overcome any fears of letting your creative passion flow, a newfound enthusiasm and strength will arise within you, and affect everyone around you.

You see yourself in a completely different light this year as you discover new ways of bringing harmony into your life and communicating on a deeper level. Accept who you are at the core, and you will experience a wholeness you never thought possible. Trusting yourself is the key to spiritual growth.

SAGITTARIUS: (November 22–December 21)

You tend to attract just about everything you want this year through your warmth and magnetic Sagittarian That said, you may also go through some great transformational shifts in 2009 as you realize that your happiness no longer depends so much on possessions, but rather on the deeper meaning associated with things symbolic of love and sharing. Instead of controlling what’s happening around you, you now have experiences that perhaps you don’t understand, but in allowing new insights to come in and have a voice, the rearranging of your resources and your values gives you a sense of security and growth.

By surrendering to your higher power, you realize you don’t have to struggle as much to get what you want. As you open up to the ideas and energies flowing around you, your priorities shift dramatically. And — you’ll be happy to know — you don’t need to work as hard to enjoy sensual pleasures either!

Great opportunities arise as your explore your potential, and discover what kind of environment best serves you in your endeavors. Being in touch with this part of yourself helps you align with your higher purpose, and your drive to continue will lead to great success. Life becomes much easier when you trust that the universe will take care of you.

CAPRICORN: (December 22–January 19)

In order for Capricorn to accomplish their goals in 2009, intelligent brainstorming is a must. Connecting with others satisfies your mind, and friends are a source of stimulation and inspiration, adding to the scientific developments you like to explore. That said, be sure to take time for yourself. You don’t have to master everything in a day.

You thrive on making new discoveries and developing opportunities. Call upon your inner guidance to help get the job done more efficiently. If you feel any uncertainty, other people are there to confirm your ideas, and allowing yourself to explore your inner thoughts will help you align yourself with a greater sense of awareness and meaningfulness.

Capricorn rarely shies away from highly concentrated work, and you are able to meet challenges as they come up in 2009. This is a time of great self-discovery and transformation for you. As you work to manifest your best possible self, you will see things from a deeper perspective than ever before. Hidden beneath your desire to work hard is the key to making your life easier. In other words, you won’t have to strain as much if you surrender to a higher knowing. Using your powers of concentration to tune into universal knowledge will help you manifest your highest dreams.

AQUARIUS: (January 20–February 18)

Aquarius is all about a new vision in 2009, and working to move our planet toward the highest and healthiest quality of life.

You are highly energized with this wonderful alignment, and your inspiration is rekindled to move energy in grandiose ways. You are able to utilize these high frequencies in order to create new structure and value in people’s lives.

This is no time to sit back and let anything slip through your fingers. Express yourself and move forward with your visionary ideas. As you forge ahead, you find a reworking of meaning on a deep level, and discover possibilities as you connect with your highest star.

Your ideas have always been ahead of the times, and now you are a shining example of what the Earth force can assimilate into everyday living. You realize that the world was created with structure, and outdated modes of living that no longer serve mankind are being recognized around the world. It’s time to let go of anything that holds you back. New thinking is on the horizon, and people are ready to align with the quickly changing energies of the planets. Your leadership skills will help humanity make these shifts, and you will feel supported by those who understand the need to create peace and harmony.

Be inventive in channeling your dreams into reality. As you find a place to manifest this energy, it will become easy for you to usher in a better world. The time to realize your highest ideals is here!

PISCES: (February 19–March 20)

In 2009, Pisces will enjoy swimming in new dimensions, as the highly charged Aquarius energy allows you to dream big and manifest your ideas. Your imagination soars, awakening a deep desire to seek spiritual truth and meaning in your life — and in the world.

Your awareness and new perception helps to serve others. You are able to live freely in the world of transformation, and this encourages others to do the same. They feel supported by your wisdom and understanding. Your inspirational qualities are a large part of your purpose in the world — your ability to heal and inspire.

At times, it may be difficult for you to live in this world of concrete realities, and conversely, sometimes it’s hard for others to understand that all you want to do is live in a world of endless possibilities. As you learn to balance these polarities, harmony prevails.

from Astrology.com

What doesn’t help is the fact that I’ve been allergic to getting up earlier  as far back as I can remember.  When I was a little girl, I always had problems sleeping at night.  I’d lay in bed for hours while every one is my house was fast asleep.  So when 7AM came, I was mad at the world, with only a couple hours of rest to account for.  And now, years later, it just so happens that I work late nights where sometimes I’m not getting out of work until 4AM (no, I am not a stripper), so waking up before noon is a bloody battle.  

So what can you do to conform and become an early riser like the other normal people in the world?  Well if you, like myself, find it impossible to get your butt out of bed before the sun goes down, here are some tips:

1.   Go to bed only when you’re really sleepy, then get up at a fixed hour every morning

2.  Promise yourself a reward: think of something you’ve always wanted and if you can wake u early everyday for a month, treat yourself to that new TV you’ve had your eye on

3.  Get your breakfast, clothes, and computer prepared from the night before

4.  Set 2 different alarms at 2 different times: have your clock set for 6:00 and your cell phone alarm set for 6:05, but position your cell on the opposite side of the room so you have to get out of bed

5.  Try to take a short nap during the day.  Sometimes we need to make up for those hours that we are missing:)