Okay, I had something else planned for the feature
story, but after watching the draft, I just couldn’t
hold it. I have to let it out. Yes, the first item on my
sports agenda is the Dallas Cowboys and
Jerry "JuggheadJoke" Jones' decision to get rid of
Keeeeshon and pick up the Moooreon. Okay, I'm a
lady, so I wouldn't have used such a word, but I do
have to wonder why Jerry would decide to bring on
Terrell Owens. Now we all know that it’s no secret
that Terrell didn’t have a kind thing to say about
Dallas until the $54 million offer to play for the good
ole boys was dropped in his lap. I almost puked
during the press conference where he sat along side
the town’s billionaire idiot (just my opinion) and told
him that he’d make Dallas proud. NEWSFLASH: We
can’t stand you. As I adjust my blazer, pull my hair
back and re-enter my journalism mode, I would just
like to say, I apologize for that sudden outburst.
Now, no matter what I think or the millions of others
who wish T.O. wasn’t here, if he can get the job
done, then do it. Doesn’t mean we’ll like him any
more; just maybe show him an inkling of respect.
After all, this is the same man who need I reminded
you is the same man that “smelled” himself in San
Francisco and Philadelphia? Okay, I know, T.O. is old
news and I shouldn’t have been away so long, so
let’s move onto more important things. Like the 2006
NFL Draft!
I was at my day job during the 1st Round. And as
we all knew the Houston Texans would pick Mario
Williams. And umph, let me just say, as fine as he is
with his six foot six and two hundred ninety-one
pound self, if that lil’ boy was twenty years older, I’d
probably head on down south to Houston and stalk a
brother! So is that to say that all the tall, “big” and
luscious men are in college? Do I have to revert
back to younger men? Cause I swear that if they
come from college, they lose about four feet when
they get past 30. Okay, enough of the short jokes.
I’m not going to go through the entire draft, but I am
going to go through parts of the first round. I have
to tell you, I got bored after awhile. The second
round pick was Reggie Bush/N.O. Saints; (by the
way, the demand for R.B. jerseys have superseded
supply) the third is Vince Young/Tennessee Titans,
fourth D’Brickashaw Ferguson/N.Y. Jets.
D’Brickashaw? What in tarnation?? Umph umph
umph. Number five was A.J. Haw/Green Bay Packers;
number six was Vernon Davis/San Francisco 49ers,
number seven Michael Huff/Oakland Raiders.
Now, let me stop here for a minute. Is it just me or
did is seem like the prior mentioned teams play “hot
potato” with Matt Leinart? This is the kid who gave
up, err how do I put this, FAWTY MILL FOE SOME
DANCE LESSONS???????? Forty million could have
bought him as many dance lessons as he wanted.
To me, he will forever be known as the $40 million
dollar twinkle toes. LOL. I mean just when you
thought he’d be picked, he was passed over. It
wasn’t until the Cardinals had the 10th pick, finally
announced that Matt was their choice. Mind you
that last season the Cardinals tied for worst in the
league in giving up twenty-two (count them folks,
22) touchdowns last season. They actually had their
eyes on Haloti Ngata (lawd these names) and Jay
Cutler. Well Shanahan’s poker face was revealed
when the Broncos picked up Cutler. We, as in the
Dallas Cowboys, got Ohio State Bobby Carpenter.
Some of us remember Carpenter’s father Rob
Carpenter who played for the New York Giants and
the Houston Oilers, (who also played under Parcel).
Needless to say, there were a lot of surprises and
lots of sportscasters are ranting and raving about
the placement of Reggie Bush and Vince Young.
Here’s something I bet you didn’t know. My fifth
child’s father (okay baby daddy) Denzel Washington’s
son, John David Washington, from Morehouse, signed
with the St. Louis Rams. Okay enough about
football; let’s move onto Basketball!
Okay I know some of watched the latest
Clippers/Nuggets installment where a flagrant foul
was called on Chris Kaman after he pushed Reggie
Evans. Kaman claims that Evans grabbed his
testicles and err uhh pulled real hard. Ouch. LOL.
Whew Lawd. I sit here and laugh as the visual runs
through my head. He was trying to take homeboy
out by any means necessary. Kind of reminds me of
Tyson biting off Holyfield’s ear. Yall are too funny.
Okay here we have the Spurs and the Kings tied at 2
and 2 (at time of publication), Lakers lead the Suns 3
to 1, Clippers lead the Nuggets 3 to 1, Mavericks are
kickin’ Grizzly tail leading the series 3 to 0. On the
East we have Pistons leading the Bucks 2 to 1, Miami
and Chicago are tied 2 and 2, Nets and Pacer are
tied 2 and 2, and Cleveland and the Wizards are tied
2 and 2. Rumor has it that Steve Nash will beat out
Kobe Bryant for the MVP of the year award. Some
folks are steaming. (Calm down Kobe).
Speaking of Kobe, his wife Vanessa gave birth to
their second child. It’s a girl! Gianna Maria-Onare
Bryant (looking sideways once more) came into the
world today, May 1, 2006, at size pounds and seven
ounces. And yall know that Shaq could not let Kobe
show him up. Shaq’s wife, Shaunie, gave birth to
Shaq’s sixth child (lawd he’s got a whole basketball
team) Mearah Sanaa O’neal (Okay now is there a
NEW baby name book, of complicated names that I
have failed to purchase?). Mearah was born just
minutes before Kobe’s little bundle of joy. So there!
And yes, I’m a closet Hockey fan. My team is the
Colorado Avalanche, and they have managed to kick
the Dallas Stars out of the running winning the series
4 to 1. I don’t care too much about the others
teams, and since I do not like baseball, it will NOT be
discussed here. LOL. And there you have it. If you
didn’t know, now ya know and if ya don’t know, you
need to wake up and pay attention!
Oh before I go, did yall see that Kobe shot
yesterday! Umph! By the way, if yall want to donate
to my Big Screen Fund, please feel free. You are
more than welcomed to come on over and sit in my
Dallas Cowboy (family) room and watch the game(s)
just as long as you don’t talk about nothing else BUT
the game. And if you chose not to come, don’t
bother calling me or sending me any email. I don’t
answer my phone during that time, nor do I read or
send any email. That’s a wrap!
I'm baaaaaack! Did you all miss me? Well I missed
you all and boy do I have a lot to tell you! The world
has been in complete and utter chaos since I've been
gone. Immigration rallies, Moussaoui gets life in
prison, Tiger Woods loses his father, the NFL Draft,
the NBA Playoffs and the list goes on and on.
Without further ado, I give you, AMAG Online!
UPS Driver Launches Local Reading Program
I just had to give this brother his props. Read on for
the rest of the story.
It was supposed to be a routine delivery to a school
outside Washington, but when UPS driver Ronn Lonon
arrived at Sugarland Elementary, he realized he had
an additional role to play.
The principal was having a conversation with a little
guy and I was just delivering a package," remembers
Lonon. "And he [the kid] was kind of being a little, I
guess, trying to be a little difficult."
Without hesitation, Lonon delivered. "I said, 'Hey,
what's going on here?" recalls Lonon. "And the kid
basically snapped to attention."
James Lisbon: Mr. Rivera, first off I want to say
excellent novel. I understand this question may be
asked often, but where did you get the idea for this
mystery and the character?
David Rivera Jr.: I have often watched my two oldest
boys, who happen to be first and second degree
black belts and I imagine them as I would want them
to be as grown men. I took what I believed at the
time to be the best characteristics of my three
children (smart, funny, good looking and good
natured) and put them all together in one character,
to make the perfect man. Initially the book was not
meant to be a mystery. It was started as an erotic
relationship novel. The mystery part of the novel was
developed as the Margarita character was
developed. She was too good to be true.
Without giving to much of the story away-to
those who have yet to read this novel-why did you
not go deeper into Nairobi's character? (I am talking
about the race issue) Also the jump from Margarita
dating Chemah to five years later being married
I believe that as people of color, we understand our
own racism and prejudices against other races, in the
way that they have been heaped upon us. I wanted
to give the reader an opportunity to decide in their
own mind what was right and wrong in this
relationship without leading them with the prejudice
of my experiences. Anyone that has ever dated
someone and then marries them, knows that what
happens in between is not as important as how it
began and why it ended. Margaritas personality
allows you to imagine what kind of marriage they
had, I didn’t feel I had to spell it out any more.
True. You have studied the arts. How beneficial
has that been in your life?
I started training martial arts when I was already a
young adult (22). I do believe that it has been
helpful in helping me deal with every day events as
an adult, ie. Stress, and sometimes confrontation.
What were some things/people that keep you
focused growing up in the Bronx & Harlem?
I was just very athletic growing up and used that to
stay out of trouble. I played sports. It was just very
obvious to me at an early age that I didn’t want to
be part of the drugs and partying scene. I had an
older brother who was involved in crime and he made
sure that I never got mixed up in the same things he
did.
Your cover is very enticing-but I was pleasantly
surprised to see the depth of the book and not just
sex scene after sex scene. Do you think the cover
locks you into being an erotic author-for those who
have not read your book?
I have scene more provocative covers on books that
have little to no sex in them and just use the cover
to get people to by the book. My book covers
actually tell part of each story if you look close
enough. I enjoy writing erotica. There are other
genres that I can write in, but for now I’m enjoying
describing the things that other people only whisper
about in the dark. It would be unimaginative of me to
say I can’t think of writing a book without sex in it,
but I often wonder how anyone can write about
serious relationships and not mention the type of sex
they’re having and how it impacts on there lives.
Otherwise the relationship just isn’t that serious.
Out of all the characters, which one is the most
complex/hardest to make up?
The character of Tatsuya was the hardest to make
up. It is difficult to think of what a five year old
might articulate, especially one that has the benefit
of two different cultures. Children do say the
darndest things.
Are there any social, community or political
groups you belong to?
I am not affiliated with anyone socially or politically.
When I find a worthwhile cause I donate my time and
energy to it for as long as I can, then I move on. I
am part of the Harlem community, but it’s breaking
off into so many factions now, its hard to say where
my loyalties will
lay.
What is next for Mr. Rivera?
My next book the STREET SWEEPER, will be out
October 2006. It’s the sequel to Harlem’s Dragon.
Right now I’m working on a project that I can’t
disclose. I haven't signed a deal for it yet and I don’t
want my idea out until it’s
finalized.
Congrats! and thanks for the time
100 Black Men Mean Business Minority Small
Business Expo. Franshising, Supplier /Vendor
Partnerships, Accessing Capital, Commercial Lending,
Small Business Development, Employment
Opportunities, Corporate Exhibitors, and Corporate
Recruiters.
Get Money Girl, is the premiere urban women's
apparel, its sexy yet sophisticated look, defines the
young vibrant edgy female illuminating first class
style. Shanny, who is best known for her street
feminism, chose to partner with RJM2 to launch her
new label because just like her street knowledge, "
The clothes are tailored to fit an active but well
posed, self-directed, savvy women lifestyle", she
said. Get Money Girl by Shanny Herrera, which
features comfortable tailored pieces exuding both
femininity and confidence, looks great with the
diamond studded money logo. The military influenced
pieces, represents the soul of the streets, creating
that power and respect. Shanny's signature t shirt
pieces has since received tremendous feedback from
the attendees at Magic, as well. Many unsolicited
calls have come into the production offices of Get
Money Girl from people interested in carrying the
many unique styles. when asked Shanny How she felt
of her new profound business, she said " I'm excited,
yet it's still a struggle to maintain on top".
The big news in Washington State is former Panther -
Aaron Dixon who is running for the U.S. Senate...
The real news is he could win... The seat was won
by a very few votes by a dem who is in bad shape
because of her voting for the war and patriot act...
Dixon has strong support on the ground in the liberal
state... The libertarians cancel out the republicans
and the Greens has a shot with Aaron Dixon... More
info at www.poli-tainment.com...
Black Writers Reunion & Conference Returns to Dallas in July 2006
After a five-year absence, the Black Writers Reunion
& Conference will return to bring together writers of
African-American descent this July 15-16, 2006 in
Dallas, Texas, with pre-conference activities on July
14.
The conference includes workshops led by African-
American literary luminaries such as popular and best-
selling authors Evelyn Palfrey, Dr. Venise Berry,
Tonya Marie Evans, Esq., Anita Bunkley, Gwynne
Forster, ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Vincent
Alexandria, award-winning playwright and poet
Cherryl Floyd-Miller, self-publishing gurus Mack and
Sara Smith, literary agent Mondella Jones, and Web
mavens Pamela Walker-Williams and Tia Shabazz. The
keynote speaker will be Marie Brown of the Marie
Brown Literary Agency.
"We're very pleased to launch the 2006 program
schedule, offering workshops covering topics from
the basics of writing to advanced techniques for
polishing and selling your fiction, nonfiction, and
plays," said Tia Shabazz, conference chairperson.
Selected workshop titles include Fiction Writing
Essentials, Writing the Popular Novel,
