Not Vibin' with Vibe

This early 30's woman would like a good "black" music or pop culture magazine to vibe with. Any suggestions?

In keeping with my renewed faith and love for my peoples, I have been making a special effort to patronize these "black" magazines...ie.....Ebony, Essence, Oprah, Vibe, etc. Can't do Ebony unless it has a specific person of interest to me on the cover. Ebony served it's purpose in my life. It was wonderful to have this magazine, featuring people of color, delivered to my Grandma's home in my younger years. I feel the same about "Jet" magazine. I remember grabbing Jet from the mailbox before my Grandma got a hold of it, hoping the Jet magazine's featured photo of the week would be Whitney Houston. Essence magazine I discovered more in my early twenties (my Grandma didn't subscribe) and I now feel the same way I feel about "Ebony" which is...unless there is a specific article someone told me about or someone on the cover of interest to me, then I'm not really in to it. I appreciate their presence in the publishing world but I'm definitely part of the problem, 'cause I'm certainly not part of the solution.

Always buy Oprah. This quality magazine oozes....."I care about my reputation and I care about what goes into this magazine". And I love it. But I'm still a bit young to give over my entire soul to the older distinguished mags and I do love my music .....So I try to "Vibe".

Ohhhh Vibe! This magazine used to be my Shiznit.....Used to be....I am a Taurean and though I constantly crave change I recoil in horror from it as well. I lost my zest for Vibe magazine when they changed the format/size from the cool Rolling Stone Magazine size to that boring 8X11 ish size. BORING!!!!! But I still gave them a chance because it's VIBE. If they changed the size because they were trying to seperate themselves from Rolling Stones I've got news for them. Vibe is a "black" magazine.....All the separation required. So much so that Vibe could call itself Rolling Vibe Magazine, change the size back to its original size and still not worry about being too much like Rolling Stone Magazine...it's nothing like that. But Vibe magazine is necessary for the proper music minority representation so it needs to step it up.

This 8X11 format does not suit Vibe and they don't seem to be recovering from whatever's happening. Maybe it's office politics or maybe they can't afford all they want to do but good Lord....Vibe is filled to the brim with advertising. And not very cool advertising at that. I understand ads are a necessary evil but come on. I appreciate interesting ads. Not just some page filling form of masturbation. (Sorry but I'm steeped in disappointment right now) I mean what kind of magazine is this supposed to be now. Is it still geared towards music lovers or fashion victims or just some uninformed fools who will take anything? What are the demographics? I LOVE music, will accept a bit of the fashion fair but they are doing wayyyyyy too much. Rolling Stones magazine manages to keep its focus on music very nicely(while slipping some fashion in on the dl.) I understand the fashion (clothes) and black folks thing....like peas and carrots I suppose, but in Vibe magazine it would be nice if their need to become a fashion magazine was a bit more subtle or at least provide a fashion layout that's less insulting to sensible readers. You can't just say it and so it is. Make folks want it. Me thinks there are too many chiefs in cushy offices, smoking peace pipes and then promptly causing chaos.

I picked up the magazine for the Luther Vandross tribute.....boring or offensive or something. The "Tribute" if that's what it was supposed to be was not very flattering. I couldn't tell if the writer was trying to lead us to an enlightened respect for Luther or make us suck our teeth at his long speculated sexual preference or to serve us up a hefty helping of his own past issues with interviewing Luther. The "reporting" on the funeral was incredibly dry. How one manages to give a dry replay of a funeral packed with some of the greatest performers of our time ie....Dionne Warwick, Patti Labelle and Miss Aretha Franklin, I don't know, but it was managed. Next time they hire someone to write a cover story tribute to a music legend, they should hire a writer who is not conflicted about his like or dislike towards the late entertainer.

The (very few) articles in the October 2005 issue of Vibe lack depth. The format and print aren't aesthetically pleasing from jump but I forced myself to read them anyway. I will force no more. The articles lack passion (or maybe that is intentional.) Especially the Luther Vandross article. Is there a difference between reporting or journalism? I looked up both words. They are defined in very similar terms but if I had to give my personal definition I would give journalism the grit, the meat, the passion, the edge and I would call reporting as it is "reporting", just laying out some information in a very blah way. Reporting is the feeling I got from the recent Vibe articles. Journalism is what it used to feel like when I read an article in Vibe. Journalism requires talent. Reporting does not.

It's like everyone at Vibe is really comfortable and sitting around rubbing his or her fat belly as they half-heartedly write, edit, layout or print. I checked the contributors page and the staff page, It seems to take a billion people to put together a magazine. Am I the only person that notices the shoddy quality of this (used to be) great magazine. It's corny now. And it's sad. Being out here in Los Angeles, removed from my NYC grit...I needed a dose of "Vibe" but now I need a dose of Ginger Ale to ease the nausea of disappointment. Maybe I'll go pick up a copy of" The Source" magazine..see how that's going. The Source was always a newsstand read to me because it focused mainly on hip-hop. Nice but I need a mix. The Source always seemed like a boy magazine to me..not man, but boy...a hip-hop obsessed one at that. Vibe's not all bad to me.....They have a section titled "start" at the end of each page theirs a section called "running numbers" it gives stats on a bunch of stuff...for example (and this is not the only reason I dig the running numbers feature) 9: the number of No.1 singles Whitney Houston had before she married BB. 2: Number of No. 1 singles Whitney Houston has had since the marriage. Another example - 3: number of NBA teams that Master P has tried out for. Cute and not so cute facts. Good idea.

My newfound optimism says "Vibe is salvageable" (I hope) they just need a hungry idea man or woman and maybe a good house cleaning to stir things up and make people dig into their reservoirs to create some works of interest because I need this magazine. Yes,..NEED and I need it to be quality. And so do you. And I will try again next month.

My Adidas

It's Nike over Adidas, Coke over Pepsi and it used to be AT&T Wireless over Cingular and though my contract is still with AT&T, Cingular Wireless has acquired AT&T Wireless, so there goes that choice(come back AT&T, Cingular is doing way to much) I'm serious about my loyaties to specific evil empires. Pepsi is not an acceptable offering if your restaurant doesn't carry Coca-Cola. I'll have water with lemon instead.

I have never bought an Adidas product in all my 33 years of life and thanks to a smart manager of the Adidas store who offered our film crew a 30% discount when we filmed in front of his store, I purchased my first pair of Adidas shell top sneakers (shoes?) just like RunDmc. Girl version with Tarheel (baby) blue stripes and matching socks. Yeah Boyeee!!!!!! Today is the first day I've slipped MY ADIDAS on. I feel like a retired rap star. So...being a serious Nike girl, I must give my opinion on these new sneaks.....this New Era of mine. I feel like I'm cheating on Nike.

So far...these aren't the most comfortable sneakers or maybe they are considered Tennis shoes and I have to break them in. I'm not used to breaking "Sneakers" or "Tennis Shoes" in but these mama jamma's definitely feel more shoe-like. As the day progresses they are becoming more tolerable, I'm even starting to forget how bad my pinky toes were hurting in the beginning. I tried thinner socks....hurt more....needed more cushion so I have on thicker socks thus pushing my poor pinky toes closer to the walls of these cardboard and steel sneakers. They are definitely shoes for show and they do put on a show. They look great but so far they really do feel like a pair of shoes (sneakers) Frankenstein might like and will be rendered null and void as soon as the beautiful "New" glow is gone. ie....some fool steps on my kicks. The appeal is the NEW. Dull, scuffed up Frankestein shoes aren't cool. Missy Elliot has her own line of Adidas...I took a look... couldn't go there.

But again.....they do look great!!!! And they certainly give me attitude (assertive and wild) but they really are like high heels to me right now. I love the attitude I have when I'm wearing heels, they look great and lift my whole body to beautiful proportions but damned if I don't have to ignore the great pain associated with high heels. I don't care what any of you everyday, high heel wearing women say...those damn things hurt.....and look so good. But everyday.....hell naw!!! After a night of heels I usually have to wait a week or so (when the swelling goes down) before I try being "too sexy" again.


This is why I didn't want to do a search for these sneakers on-line. While looking for a photo of them, I found them cheaper than I paid with my 30% off dammit!!!! What can you do. At least I know where to get another pair (if I so choose to) after the L.A. smog, permanently settles on my new kicks.

MAKE LEVEES, NOT WAR

Today on the corner of Olympic and La Cienega the hippies were out in full effect....with anti-war and bush signs...
One of the signs read:

Make Levees, Not War!

I agree and thought for one brief moment "Maybe I'll just quit my job jump out of the car and hold up a couple of signs myself." But then I caught a glimpse of my MAC glossed lips and neatly groomed dread locs, in the rearview mirror of the big, black, beautiful Suburban I have been driving around in and remembered I'm not a hippy. Nor am I the favored color for a "peaceful protest". My dark complexion would bring down the tear gas and grenades on the peacefulesque hippies on the corner, so instead I honked my horn in agreement, smiled gave them a thumbs up and kept it moving.

Protest for us all folks and folk singers.....

They put me in Forrest Gump mode. I could go for a dose of good ole' Tom Hanks tonight. I live in L.A., I work in Hollywood, so yes, everything is going to relate to a movie somehow. Good or Bad. (or a song...sometimes from a movie soundtrack.)

Mimi put her foot in her emancipation

It's a special occasion
Mimi's emancipation
A cause for celebration
I ain't gonna let nobody's drama bother me



go mimi it's your birthday!!!!!!

I have to give a little of my Mariah Carey history before I go further with my review of "The Emancipation Of Mimi".

My crappy attitude towards Mariah began with the release of her 1991 album, "Emotions". Let me recap the 30 calls from family and friends years ago:
"Whitney has a new song and it's on the radio...now..now...now...go listen...Now!!!"

I think I had more of an attitude with myself because there was a brief moment when I was fooled (only the first few lines, the first time) And being a diehard, forever fan of Whitney Houston, I of course had to choose sides when the Whitney/Mariah wars began. (wars that never were..it was media hype) but sometimes I march the march of the citizens and get right in line. There was no hesitation in choosing the side of my girl Whitney while rolling my eyes at Mariah Carey with her "married to some old Sony executive, mixed-up ass". Yes, stupid like that.

Once I stepped out of line, and saw this talented soul through my own eyes, the crazy fog lifted and I became a bigger Whitney fan who was able to find space for fanship and appreciation for Mariah. An undeniably talented gal'. And because the Universe tends to bless you when you open your heart and mind, I was lucky enough to bask in a delightful Mariah treat.

I think the year was 1994 or 95 (Those crazy times are a blur. Good thing for photos) Miss Mariah, rented a few (luxury) buses.....rented out the entire, Rye Playland,( an amusement park in Rye, New York) for a day and shuttled a large group of Sony employees to the park to enjoy all the beer, cotton candy, popcorn, pretzels, pizza and rollercoasters a fool could hope for, I am that fool. Da Brat was there, Wanya (spelling?) from Boyz II Men (hey Mariah, I think dem' boys need a bone), Keisha a member of the singing group TOTAL (where dey' at?) and Jermaine Dupree. Am I or was I ever a Sony employee? No! But through my life I've had and continue to have too many hook-ups to count and am always somewhere I'm not "supposed" to be. And always wound up having the time of my life. My dear friend used to work at Sony and always traveled Posse deep. I was part of that Posse. And that Posse had FUN TIMES. Like nobody's business.

So my buddy and her posse headed up to Rye, New York. We had a blast.


Proof positive...baby..... I love you Mariah. You generous soul. And you worked for that love, girl. Cause' I was tryin' to deny you.

Back to Mariah's newest release.....the song "Shake it off" was the dealmaker for me going to Best Buy and purchasing (with my HARD earned money) "The Emancipation of Mimi". Best decision I made all week. This is the first time I've ever actually purchased a Mariah album and I'd do it again, but I do miss those cd hook-ups.
Mariah Carey's latest beautiful creative outlet has filled a void. LIKE THAT! Yesterday, I drove 261 miles. Mimi (who they like to call crazy, but she ain't y'all) played a vital part in keeping me sane and safe on the road. My Calimobile has cruise control. And I cruised north and south on the 405 all day and night, swaying, shaking, twisting or just listening to these tracks, specifically:

"It's Like That" - for some crazy reason, when the beat drops I have the urge to do the Tyrone Biggums. (and hell no I've never done crack) but that fool can dance.

"We Belong Together" - is cute, can't deny it. They are already spinning it on Lite FM radio.

"Shake It Off" - Besides being an all around fly song, I have a special sentiment for the phrase "Shake if off" in general. Earlier in the year, My dear friend and my cousin sent their chirren's out to stay with me for a week (seven whole days). Two boys..ages 8 and 9. These kids were devastated when they found out I was tv-less. DEVASTATED. TV generation. But we had a grand ball of a time anyway. Disneyland has a tendency to ease the pain of noTVitis. Anyways, love these boys and they are why I love the phrase so.

There is a second after a little kid falls where they pause to decide whether they are going to fall out and cry for dear life or jump up and continue on. If you've ever seen a child fall you know what I mean. When these boys where Toddlers (2T) and fell down I would chime in with, "Come on, Shake it off" before they had a chance to think about falling out. There is still nothing more endearing to me then the memory of my two-year old cousin, running, taking a dive across the floor, hearing me or his Mom say "Shake it off", promptly jumping up and continuing on...Nothing. His Grandmother (my aunt) didn't appreciate the prompting, she would always say "What if something's really wrong?" to which I would answer "Then he wouldn't be able to "Shake if off". Thanks, Mimi...I'm sooooo about shaking it off.


The fourth track I've played in the ground (just bought the cd two days ago) and the berzerkest, bestus party or striptease song I've heard all year......"GET YOUR NUMBER"..this song takes me to unheard of dimensions. Janet Jackson is having a grand ole' effect on Mr. Jermaine Dupree. The beginning of this song resembles, a bit, just a bit, people, the beginning of Michael Jackson's, "PYT". Before he breaks out into song.

And Nelly ain't afraid to sing y'all, and I love him for it. I thought it was Nelly doing his thing on this track, but I had to check the credits to be certain. It's Certain. A beautiful trio...Mimi, Jermaine Dupri and Nelly. Do the damn thing! The beat for Get Your Number is a sample from an 80's song " Just an Illusion" (not my favorite) but chile' after J.D. got his producing ass on it, I lurve it. The lyrics, the beat, the voices....award winning.

We ain't got all night
Tell me how many times in your life
Will you get an opportunity like this tonight
Tell me a little somethin' about you
Here's a little somethin' about me
I gotta pip Penthouse with a sick hot tub
We can watch the flat screen
While the bubbles fillin'up

She's flipping it on him......bragging about the nice things back at her home. Lurve it! Really, seriously. Maybe it's just where I am in life right now, but I'll take it. As and added bonus for me, When Mimi whispers her list of nice things on the track, she sounds a bit like Janet, Miss Jackson if your nasty. I do have one question.....What's a Pip Penthouse? One that comes with Glady's Knight's background singers built in?

Very Happy Mimi has been emancipated. It works well for her. Thanks for hangin' in there Mariah.

Quotable Dayna

"Simplicity Is A Grand Ballroom For Happiness."



From time to time, during one of my advice sessions (to myself) or others, I'll come up with something I need to remember.
This one was told to a friend but I like it for myself.

America, America.....

God shed his grace on thee....cause' it's feeling right crazy here.

I've read articles and got to see some of the footage for the first time last Saturday (still tv-less). The severity of Hurricane Katrina in General is surreal and horrifying. The slow reponse of aid - Heartbreaking - yes, Shocking and Surprising - no. I don't see how anyone who has been following the leadership of America these days could be shocked at how the victims in New Orleans were left to fend for themselves.... to die, to starve, to drown, to get eaten by alligators. I try to stay out of the whole political issue because at the end of the day "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem." and I'm not one to sit around, suck my teeth and shake my head for the sake of keeping up appearances. I'm trifling and nowhere near as politically knowledgeable as a working-class american should(?) be. I suppose. But I'm here and I'm one opinionated bull headed so and so....

If there is someone or somebody or even some pet rated less important on the Republican scale than some poor, black (dark chocolate) folks or as poor misunderstood Wolf Blitzer likes to call them "so poor and so black"(he didn't mean it like that), then I'd like to meet and greet and help these poor souls because so far I'd bet the so poor and so black wins the "Who gives a f&*^ anyway, prize hands down.

I can feel the sentiment of those who feel they are superior and have more of a right to life because of their bank accounts and the ones who just can't wrap their minds around us darkies wanting freedom and "equal" rights. " If they we're still living in our plantations as our slaves we would have taken care of them, that's what they get for wanting civil rights and independence" and if a few toothless poor white americans who live nearby get caught up then too bad. It's the same in regards to my conspiracy theory on Newport brand cigarettes, mostly black folks smoke them therefore there's a little something extra in there to cut the life span and if a few wiggers wanna act black and smoke Newports as well, it's a small price to pay. If the majority of black folks were as bad as the media and the "Elite" try to make us out to be, Shit would really be bad. And I mean BAD. I know personally, I'd make a really diabolical and powerful crazy, killing, robbing, looting deviant, if I wanted too. Just me. So if all black people decided to say screw it, let's just take this country by force.....Ya'll would be in TROUBLE. And then we'd all be in trouble.

I'm poor. I live check to check, and am hardly able to make ends meet. The only factor, keeping me from being one of the statistically poor is the fact that I'm currently childless. It's just me. I can hustle and survive, if I had a child right now, we'd be on the side of the freeway selling oranges, but I'd still like to think my life is worth saving because of who I am and how my family, friends and strangers view me with love and respect. But I guess at the end of the day, in America or maybe on earth...I'm just a worthless, broke n*&^%' taking up space.

I'd rather see the outright disregard(as we now have) than to have it slowly destroy me and my peoples. It's a shame such a devastating and outright belligerent show of disregard had to get shoved in our faces for some outrage to surface. For people in America (land of the free) to excercise their freedom of speech and speak....the mayor of New Orleans, Kanye West and whoever else. Everyone's so stunned by Kanye West's statement. Hello....that's not some profound statement. George Bush is like the cheating husband and America is the stupid wife, we keep begging and pleading with him to act right and admit his trespasses. A cheating husband rarely to never admits his cheating unless he gets caught red-handed and even then he may try to flip things and make you look crazy. We, America, are looking quite crazy right now. It's a talent. Not a very admirable one but talent nonetheless. Things are extra wrong here in America..Extra meaning Obvious. I'm not saying poor folks should be given everything just because they (we?) are poor, I'm saying, their lives are worth something and they most definitely should be SAVED in a natural disaster(Though the strength of the Levees was unnatural). I'm sure "they" will try to rebuild New Orleans in such a way that the "so poor and so black" won't have not even the most small inkling of a way to afford the NEW New Orleans. With levess built by technically advanced aliens.

If the TITANIC were a city it would be New Orleans.

On a more positive note, common celebrity folk and other's are diving in and doing the damn thing.


Our lovely Celeb's, white, black or whatever, are reaching out...giving money and participating in concert benefits...love my celebs.

Oprah Winfrey and her Angel Network will definitely make strides in helping the devastated of New Orleans. Buy property and give it to our "So poor and So black" folks. Just hand over deeds with taxes paid for 20 years. Cause you know the tax man will try to take those homes before they get extra keys made.

Michael Jackson is using his god-given talent to help his peoples. Yes, they are his peoples. He knows, you don't have to remind him. He was reminded in court.

That was an abrupt end...Seems in life, there are too many abrupt ends....so..

on a whole other note and notable...

A friend treated me to the new Kanye West album. My intentions were to pick it up but he pushed the process along and I'm grateful. Notable tracks...We Major(this track is blessed with the presence of Nas.), Roses (A hip-hop song capable of bringing tears to my eyes is a first) and of course Golddigger (damn I love this song) Good album - But stating the obvious("george bush doesn't care about black people") doesn't make him a prophet. Just a kid with an opinion and enough money to feel comfortable giving it. But I suppose the soup can always go for a good stirring.

Peace, Love and Happiness