Inner Me

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I am me; complex yet simplistic; diverse yet ordinary ~ I am a treasure that only those who gain entry can truly understand.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Packed Up & Moved Away


The time has come to move this blog to a new space that offers opportunities to do more. Therefore, please join me over at (link)

My first blog has been posted about some of the music exposure 2010 has blessed me with in such a short span of time (more to come that I will be writing about within the next few hours...

Please join me at the new spot where I'll continue to share news about music related events, live music opportunities for you to experience and the random thoughts about the things that pop into my head and prompt me to want to share.

Always eager for your feedback...

Peace & Blessings




Monday, February 15, 2010

The 2010 Cupid 'sHunt Podcast Collaboration

check out all of the contributors to this year's Cupid's Hunt Podcast Collaboration
& keep an eye on this spot for updates

Cupid's Hunt 2010: Twisted Love - fellas

Cupid's Hunt 2010: (Vol II) Twisted Love ~ fellas mix

Picking up where I left off: Volume II of 2010's Cupid Hunt takes me to a special zone = a place where men know just what love truly means. Either by trial and error or just knowing what wins, these brothers make the women swoon!

  • The Never That You Never Know ~ Mint Condition
  • The Love We Almost Had ~ Randy & The Gypsys
  • Love Don't Love Nobody ~ Phil Perry
  • Still ~ V
  • It's You ~ Troy Johnson
  • Let Me Make Love to You ~ The O'Jays
  • Wildflower ~ New Birth
  • Maybe Tomorrow ~ Jackson 5
  • Yearning for Your Love ~ Gap Band
  • Stay Awhile ~ Rahsaan Patterson
  • Ask of You ~ Raphael Saadiq
  • Ebony Eyes ~ Rick James/Smokey Robinson
  • Adore ~ Prince
  • Your Body's Calling ~ RKelly
  • Wanna Make Love ~ Lillo Thomas
  • Giving My All ~ Johnny Gill
  • In My Hands ~ Jaheim
  • The Moon ~ Eric Roberson
  • Bullseye ~ Lakeside
  • I've Found Someone ~ Barry White

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Cupid's Hunt 2010: Heart's Aflame - Ladies


I felt like a kid unleashed in a candy store back in 2009 around Valentine's Day. A musical movement was unfolding around me, clueless I jumped in and absorbed as much as I could. The extravaganza would later be revealed to me as 'Cupid's Hunt' -- a consortium of musicloving podcasters who joined forces to show even more love to good music in the name of Valentine's Day. I decided then and there that I had to be down for 2010 -- and down, I am.

In the time since I'd stumbled upon this event, the wonderful organizer (TGrundy) and I have become so cool that we refer to one another with the endearing label of 'Co-Chef' because we collaborated on a project of the musical sort not so long ago. I thought I was a lover of good music -- TG takes the love of music to a totally different level. The honor of knowing him is totally mine!

Volume I of the 2010 Cupid's Hunt, which I've entitled, Heart's Aflame: Ladies is now available for download. Eleven specially selected songs that come from female singers whose voices I truly love comprise this edition. It opens with United Together by Aretha Franklin -- a song that I intend to be the first that I dance to with my future, yet unnamed/unidentified husband (lol).

4am and there's still so much more for me to do -- the all male volume will be posted this evening. Stay tuned and be sure to spread the word because I can guarantee you that the goodies the other Cupid's Hunt Collaborators will be posting will blow you away!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Passing Judgment


3 a.m. and I should have long been under the covers, clear into snoozeland. As usual, my mind is cluttered with so many thoughts. Something deeply personal has been tugging away at me and I've recently decided to share it with whomever takes the time to read my thoughts. Perhaps it can be a source of comfort for other women facing similar challenges.

For twelve years I wore my hair natural. I decided to loc it when I realized that the free flow look I desired could not be achieved and maintained easily. The year was 1997, and my baby boy was only 5 years old. My boyfriend at the time had locs and had the perfect loctician in mind for me to work with. The sister's name is Yendys and she was infamous in the Flatbush area at that time for the natural haircare student.

I was eager to learn, anxious for the absorption of all the knowledge she has to impart upon me with regard for the proper care of my new natural head of healthy hair. I allowed Yendys to cut my hair down to nubs. (I'll share pictures later)

Over the years, my hair grew and the carefree nature of caring for my hair was a joy! Wash, twist, oil the scalp and go... It was all such a beautiful experience. About six years into loc'ing, I began to notice a little change. My locs weren't growing as they had been, and something seemed off.

As the days turned to months, I'd begun to really see significant change -- my hairline was thinning. I made an appointment to see my dermatologist and after several biopsies of my scalp, foams, potions, ointments, dietary changes, pills -- her suggestion was to incorporate Rogaine into my daily routine.

(to be continued, sleep beckons and I must answer the call...)

7 a.m.

The bottom line is that throughout this ordeal, I learned that my 'slight' anemia also included a dangerously low level of vitamin D (who knew that had an impact on hair growth), low levels of ferritin (a direct relation from low iron levels) and so many more health related issues. I have been definitively diagnosed with traction alopecia and have undergone a series of monthly steroidal injections to my scalp for more than seven months. I used to count the number of times the needle would plunge into my scalp and lost count after 70. My mother was with me during that particular visit to the dermatologist and when I removed the gauze protecting my eyes from the spray that attempts to freeze the scalp and slightly divert the pain, the look on her face was one of utter horror! I smiled to let her know I had survived another round of torture.

This past Saturday after my visit to the doctor, my mother begged me to stop. Then she told me that the injections are affecting my brain and I couldn't help laughing til I cried. My mother understands how the loss of hair can make a woman feel less than beautiful. Genetics have caused every generation of women in my family that we can recall to have worn super granny wigs. Sorry, but I'm way too young (and cute, I think -- lol) to wear a blue haired lady wig. The picture at the top is my current collection of lace fronts. Quite a rack up in 7 months, right? Who would ever have thought!

I posted this because in these months I have had really bold women approach me in the street as they fail to look into my eyes, yet find their eyes resting on my hair line which has been replaced by a lace front wig -- one that I have become such a master at masking that you have to be up on me to see where it begins and my natural forehead ends. Their question to me always begins with, "is that a...?" Before they can continue, I stop them and reply with the defiant, "YES!" and a bodacious smile. From there they ask where do I get them done -- and the eyes open so wide when I tell them that I take care of my own hair prosthesis. (lol)

I have had women stare -- I have been insulted by others who talk about the texture of the devices -- but the compliments are what touch me most.

Please remember not to pass

judgment

on others because you never know what's going on in their world. Share a kind word instead of a harsh stare.

Sisters, remember to love on one another.

Brothers -- show sensitivity!

And Wendy Williams -- please tell me how to apply a wig clip -- lol

*comments welcome -- please share with a sister OR brother who can relate*

SoulMusiqLuva's Podcast

Hi everyone, I thank you for stopping by to check out my blogspace. I'm excited about the notion of being able to share my thoughts and my love of music with others. From time to time, when I'm feeling inspired I will post episodes to my podcast series -- check out my podcast & enjoy: soulmusiqluvas podcast