Excerpts from the Diary of a Diva

Even though I've never been a political person by nature, I attended the Democratic National Convention in Denver this week. For me, it was a chance to actively participate in a historic moment. Of course, it didn't hurt that there were parties galore and men for days, but we'll have to talk about that later. :) Anyway, I have to say I've never been more moved in all my life. Being in Denver exposed me to a whole new world, and I loved it. It was wonderful to see all those Black men in suits. Whether they were legendary or just legends in their own minds, they walked with a confidence and swagger that brothers in baggy jeans and Timbs could never duplicate. Plus, I loved being around progressive people who don't just talk the talk. They actually walk the walk. These are folks who want to make a change in their communities, and take the necessary steps to do so. While public service and civic duty have never been aspirations of mine, I was glad to be exposed to it. T...

It's such a great time to be Black. With Barack Obama set to accept the Democratic nomination, HBO and CNN doing groundbreaking specials on African Americans, and the New York Times exploring Obama's effect on the Civil Rights movement, people of color are the in-thing right now. I'm happy to see the Obama phenomenon occur in my lifetime, but I'm a little disheartened, too. Our country is one of trends. We love to follow the next hot thing. Yes, Michael Phelps has swam his way into history, but will anyone remember his name next year? After Barack paints the White House black, will anyone care about the common Negroes? The article in the Times explored how Barack's rise to power will affect the struggle for equality that African Americans still face every day of their lives. Yes, our president may be Black, but that doesn't do anything about the fact that I can get better groceries at the Ralph's in Beverly Hills than I can at the one on Crenshaw. Having a...

Have you ever felt like you were destined for greatness? It's like your potential is bubbling right under your skin, but releasing it would be too painful an endeavor. That's how I'm feeling today. I'm so desperate to expose my true self that I'm willing to slit my wrists and let it flow out. Okay, before you start calling those nice young men in their clean white coats to take me away, hear me out. I'm stuck in two dead-end jobs and I feel like I'm gonna scream. My radio gig is cool, but I don't see any room for advancement. That doesn't sit well with me at all. My teaching gig has the potential to be satisfying, but it's not. I have a boss who'd rather not be in his position, and kids who really don't want to learn. I sometimes think we need to crack their heads open and pour the knowledge inside. While there are some really good kids here, I don't necessarily think I have what it takes to get them where they need to be. In addition...

So many things are on my mind. I don't really know where to start. The play is tomorrow. I was supposed to sing three songs, but my voice has refused to cooperate. Now I'm singing one. That's cool because I'm really nervous. The thing that hurts me is that my schedule hasn't allowed me to put forth my finest effort. I don't like not being perfect. What's really funny is that I spend my days teaching children that they don't have to be perfect -- they just have to try. This is what was on my mind Saturday night. I was a nervous wreck, to say the least. Fortunately, the play went off without a hitch. The audience loved it, and my song went well. Even though I forgot a few of my lines, it was cool. After everything was said and done, I learned some very important lessons from this situation: 1. When you're under attack, your mind is the battlefield. If I tell you everything I've ever feared -- not being desirable, not being talented, etc. -- ran acr...

Can someone please explain to me why my mother, intelligent woman that she is, seems to have a phobia about doctors? It would probably be easier to get George Bush to admit his duplicity in the Iraq war than to get that woman to voluntarily go to a medical facility. If she would just get preventative care, her visits wouldn't have to be so serious. For example, she had to get an emergency hysterectomy because she refused to go to the kitty doctor on a regular basis. Maybe I'm stupid, but if I'd NEVER had cramps and I suddenly started having them, I think I'd get it checked out. Why am I bringing this up, you ask? Well, my mom told me on Sunday that she thinks she had a seizure in her sleep. She said she woke up with a swollen lip, her pillowcase wasn't on her pillow, and the books at the foot of her bed were on the floor. My mom is one of those people who sleeps in one spot the entire night. I, on the other hand, am a thrasher. I'm lucky if I still have sheets a...

After three months of weeping, my joy has come in the form of a studio apartment in Redondo Beach. I never thought I could be happy in a one-room place, but I am. It's so nice to finally have all my stuff in one place. I don't know how my landlord felt about me leaving, and I really don't care. The drama he put me through almost made me question my faith. However, I know that all things work together for the good of them who love the Lord and who are called according to His purpose. Even though it wasn't a pleasant experience, it's over now. Now I just need to figure out how to fit my stuff in this place. Any suggestions?

Okay...it's been a minute since I posted something. Please forgive me. I've actually started three different posts since we last spoke, but I haven't been able to finish them. Give me a minute, and I'll let you in on the days of my life. In the meantime, I'll give you a few quickies... 1. The Apartment Chronicles : As I told you before, I'm getting ready to make my beach move. I had contemplating not telling my current landlord until the day of the move, but I decided against it. I told him, and he was cool with it...until he realized that I was also taking my money with me. He tried to call me to squeeze utilities out of me. I turned it around and asked him if he planned to give me my deposit back, and if so, he could just take it out of there. That's when he broke down and told me he needed the cash. This is another case of bought sense . 2. The Relationship Situation: I was finally able to let Ol' Boy know that what he was trying to get from me wasn...