Nichelle Newsletter

Dreaming

When I was a kid, I remember having the Martin Luther King day off as a school holiday in Birmingham even before it was a national holiday.  My family and I would attend a parade downtown and  go to a  church service.

Ten years ago when my uncle introduced me to the great Lionel Hampton,  he told Lionel that I was an accountant working for big retail company, Federated Macy Department Stores.  Mr Hampton said that was proud of me.  I guess it was because he considered it to be was great advancement of Black people for me to have a corporate job traveling around the country.  Back then  I was so in awe of meeting a legendary jazz musician that what he said did not fully sink in.  Now I appreciate it so much more. 

Today I work.  I am doing bookkeeping because I am self-employed and I need the money.  However, it is very cool that I can support myself  independently and still be involve with creative projects.  I am proud.

Party Train

Christmas 002.jpg, originally uploaded by candiedyams.

Christmas in Durham was fun! The long train ride was worth it.
We ate ham, candied yams, broccoli, potato salad, peas and carrots, and dressing.

The day after Christmas, my family and I went to see "The Great Debaters" at Southpoint Mall which has to be the busiest mall in the North Cacalacky. I really enjoyed the film, and it was perfect for holidays. BTW, Cross-X by Joe Miller is a great book about a high school debate team.

Today, we went over to Chapel Hill to have breakfast at the famous Mama Dip's, a popular country soul food place. Mama Dip has a cookbook that you may want to check out.

Also, I ran into comedian Maggie Champagne outside a Kroger. It really seems that I can't go anywhere without running into a chick from Chicks and Giggles. Cool!

Back in New York at the weekend; I'm checking email and the 'nets periodically.

Christmas Wrapping

Twas the Friday before Christmas,
And all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring
Only the fizz in my mouth.

Drinking Alka-Seltzer Plus
Though I prefer champagne,
But I cannot get sick.
Since I'm taking the train.

I made some chili
To feed the cold.
You have nip the "plague" early.
When you're thirtysomething old.

I ran to my phone  to see what was the matter.
It was  only a text from Matt
He loves to chatter.

Then I check my inbox
There's email from Girly
Connecting the dots
Guess I won't get to bed early.

On Dancer, On Prancer, On Donna, On Blitzen.
Let's go to the Ochi's
To see the gays mixing!
Shawn has his show, so I am gonna go.
Hope I get home before the snow.

Dash away, Dash away, Mr. Claus.
I like my men European
But that red suit gives me pause.

Merry Christmas dear readers, dear bloggers and the like
Happy Holiday to all
May the eggnog be spiked!

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Montecrisco on the Cheap, originally uploaded by candiedyams.

30 minutes ago: I made a sandwich with ham, Monterey Jack cheese, strawberry preserves on an onion roll.

Next week: Riding the rails down to North Carolina for Christmas.  I have to come up with a Hobo Name.   What about Pearl T. Smiley?

Next month:  Some hibernation, but I will be reading at In The Flesh on January 17.

Rock This Town

State:  Today, I stopped in the cutest little corner store, Blue Ribbon General Store. It is at the corner of State and Bond in Brooklyn, and sells old fashioned taffy, games, books and more.  The store is great for gifts.

Start the slutty costumes early:  Fashion Indie is hosting a Punk vs Rockabilly Halloween Party on Thursday. [Free admission before midnight]

Still Single:  I love WNYC, really I do.  However, I imagine that going to a singles event at the opera with people who religiously listen to WNYC could actually make my genetallia retract as fast as a politician at a press conference. [I know.  I hang around comedians waaaay too much]

Say It Isn't So

Giddy Up:  According to Buzz Feed,  stirrups are making a comeback.  Lately, I only see stirrups is during an OBGYN exam, and  I am loathed to see them on the streets on New York City.

Move:  If you have never been to Chicks and Giggles at Mo Pitkins on Tuesdays before, then come check out the show tonight!  We will be there only two more weeks (October 9 and 16).  Then we are moving the show to a new venue.

And Columbus Cortez was an a$$hole: The lovely Liza's take on the name Hispanic Heritage Month.

Don't POKE me:  Giulia's take on Facebook.

Celebrate

"Krewe of Barkus" parade, originally uploaded by kelly-bell.

It's Mardi Gras!

Chicks and Giggles tonight.
No tits will be bared unless an audience member volunteers. ..

My Funny Valentine

Thanks to all my friends who came to the Hot & Nasty party tonight! Everyone got a little toy and cupcakes,  of course. Check out the pictures taken by CherylB.

Tuesday is Chicks and Giggles with a fun night of variety including music, comedy and a MAN.

Wednesday is LetsMeetOut's Valoween Party at Obivia.  Come dress sexy, scary or a little bit of both. Open bar champagne from 8-9PM, and you must RSVP here.  It is listed in Sunday's Daily News!

Thank You

Lucky Strike Cigarettes Thanksgiving Ad, 1950, originally uploaded by Roadsidepictures.

This year the stars and (dinners) have aligned so that I can attend 3 Thanksgiving dinners on Thursday.  Traveling across 2 boroughs,  I will sup with friends who agree that dinner with people who share some of the genetic make-up as you is  SO 1950's.

Last year, I wrote a piece for The Black List  about Orphan Thanksgivings and I still would love to get a new name for the term. Please leave suggestions in the comments!

ORPHAN THANKSGIVING: Having Thanksgiving dinner with your family is like feeding tacos to a toddler. After a few pleasant moments, there will be a explosion of crap. So this year, I avoided the crap by staying here in New York and having Thanksgiving dinner with friends. It was so nice to eat, drink and swear as much as I want without criticism from family members. Plus, none of my friends asked me why I wasn't married yet. The only problem I have "Orphan Thanksgiving" is the term itself.  It totally blows.  It sounds like my friends and I are bunch of characters from Oliver Twist sitting around the table with cockney accents begging for more porridge.  In fact, we had more food on Thanksgiving than any Orphan Annie could ever imagine. So I suggest a new title like, "Avoid A Meal With Your Family Thanksgiving" or "Thank God, I'm Not At My Folks Thanksgiving."  It's wordy, but oh so true.

Thanksgiving with Friends: A.
The term "Orphan Thanksgiving": D

You're My Thrill

Behold the Winning Pumpkin, originally uploaded by Fredosan.

Halfed: Enjoyed a delicious half roast beef sandwich at Aroma, a 24-hour cafe  on Houston and Greene.

Famed: Adira's interview in Backstage.

Costumed:  Go to this site.

 

Lovin' Every Minute Of It

Here's a great way to enjoy yourself ($20):

Buy Aqua Erotica 2 (featuring stories by RKB and Thomas Roche) + LushSex bomb = Crazy Sexy Cool.

Here's a free way to enjoy yourself:
Pump your favorite dance music + dance naked around your room = Crazy Sexy Cool.  (Thanks PSFK for the mix tape link)

Happy Valentine's Day! Have it all and have a ball..Lance Armstrong-style:)

Gee Whiz, It's Christmas

I overheard this today,
Security Guard: "Are you coming to the Christmas party?"
Receptionist says: "I don't do Christmas"
Security Guard:  "It's more of a holiday party. They don't even have a tree."
Receptionist: "It doesn't matter. I don't do any of it."

I was wondering if the receptionist was an atheist but it really doesn't matter. I myself have adopted a new religion just for this time of the year. It's the unholy religion of "In the Middle of Being Brokism". Having no money during this season makes you want to skip over the next couple of weeks.  I know that I brought this situation on myself, but it's weird that I chose poverty over depression.  When I had my job, I had little desire to get out of bed every morning.  Now I wake up excited, sometimes anxious, but always to eager to start the day.  It seems like the possibilities are endless, so I greet each day with a smile even with the worry of little or no money. It's a blessing to feel this way.  I know what it is like to feel like you are at the end of your rope, and then you look outward and later look inward for something to anchor you.   The stuff within remains when the stuff outside goes pear-shaped. Now, I can understand why people meditate and or do yoga.  If that is what keeps you centered, then go for it.  We can get so distracted by everything--the city is one big whirligig. The ride is nice when you sitting pretty, but can be nauseating when the horse rocks too much.

Knocks Me Off My Feet

ps_DSC1620
Originally uploaded by brianvan.

Michael Malice and I have holiday feet!

Thank U

thank you india
thank you terror
thank you disillusionment
thank you frailty
thank you consequence
thank you thank you silence--Alanis Morissette

Thanksgiving should be renamed. I would suggest Abundance Day or Appreciation Day, because appreciation for what you have is the best thing about the holiday.

I want to thank my friends who support my creativity and put up with my enthusiasm.
I want to thank my family for loving me even though I am not living my life according to their plan. I want to thank the bloggers and the writers who have me reading more books this year than I have since elementary school. I want to thank the comics that have made me laughing so hard that it hurts.  I want to thank the sexy people who inspire me to flirt more and show more cleavage.  I want to thank the bartenders and the open bar parties who keep the party rolliing. I want to thank the guy who I buy the New York Post from on weekday mornings who always greets me with a smile. I want to thank the people who read my blog and wonder why I am not rich and famous, yet. Thanks!

New Year's Day

Today is the Chinese (Lunar) New Year and it's Ash Wednesday.  I'm confused! Should I be partying or praying? Should I drink or be sober? Should I eat fish or eat fish? [I may get ashes to accesorize and join the parade down in ChinaTown.]

It's the year of the Rooster, and everyone with a dirty mind keep saying it's the Year of the Cock. Check out this ad for a party tonight:

So prepare your lunar asses for a very auspicious celebration indeed, ringing in The Year of the Cock.  Special guest starlet DJ Billy
Pfeiffer has plugged our...party in his top ten list for the
ultrafabulous Next, and we're ready to throw down at what is already
known as the Supreme, the Deepest, the Holiest, the Cockiest House
Party on Hump Day: TANG.

Join Billy and me on deck tonight as we bob and weave through miles of
beats.  C'mon down from 10-3 and celebrate deliciously.

TANG
at No 1. Chinese
50 Ave B. Lower Level
(Take the F/V to 2nd Ave. and hoof it to 4th St. and Avenue B; Or get
into a cab, Carol.)

Hold Me

New Year's Eve was way more mellow than the night before, and I liked it that way.  I went to Mike and Derek's party in my neighborhood and later stopped by the Ding Dong Lounge.  I chronicled my trip home with my camera, I will put the photos up later.

On New Year's Day, brunch was delicious at Mara's Homemade.  Then the gang stopped by a friend's place to have a little hair of the dog (mimosas).  Then we strolled through the East Village until we made our way to see "Lemony Snicket" at the movie theatre. If that wasn't enough, the party continued at Goddess Perlman's and she treated us to snacks and a special screening of "1 Night in Paris".  [Paris Hilton was bored. Rick Salomon is a boor, and any guy who refers to giving oral seks as a "suck down" should be shot.] 

By the way, Goddess Perlman will be performing at Chicks and Giggles this Tuesday, January 4.

Later we schlepped out Tainted Lady for dinner and chocolate chip cookies. 

Give It Away

I am somewhere in suburbia, where the refrigerator is fully stocked, and the heat does not emit from a noisy radiator.  There are people here that I am vaguely familiar with (relatives?), and cable TV is almost every room.  I have OD'ed on "Real World/Road Rules" on MTV, Comedy Central and VH1.  I got some great gifts and have a few gems of family dysfunction that may make another good story. I love my family...and I am so ready to fly back to NYC tomorrow!

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

He's making a list and checking it twice.  He's gonna find out who's naughty or nice... Introducing Santa Earl!

Light My Fire

Send in your pictures of holiday lights, and I will post all next week. Thanks to Donald for sending in this picture.

A Family Reunion

It's an extra special Chicks and Giggles, tonight!  We are doing a holiday show called "Holidays, Family, WTF?!" Enjoy a night of comedic storytelling by the fabulously funny.

Featuring: Jessica Delfino, Lynn Harris, Liz Maher, Margot Leitman, Giulia Rozzi, Lianne Stokes and Becky Yamamoto

When: Tuesday, December 7 at 8:30PM

Where: Raga (433 East 6^th Street)

Wow: No COVER, 2-drink minimum

Looking to turn this fabulous show and the women who perform in it into a documentary.  Any help on this would be appreciated.

Lose My Breath

I came. I ate. I conquered! Thanksgiving dinner was an abundance of family and food.  (I'll load the pictures later.)   There was a total of 36 people (aunts, uncles, cousins, friends of the family) who enjoyed a dinner that included turkey, yams, scalloped potatoes, green beans, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, ham, broccoli casserole, potato salad, dressing and ribs.

There a delicious selection of dessert: pound cake, peach cobbler, strawberry cheesecake, but no pumpkin pie.

The highlight of the evening was the half-time show of the Dallas-Chicago game when Destiny's Child performed.  Apparently, my mom and two of my aunts decided that they could do a great job of replicating Beyonce and crew's dance moves.  I didn't take a picture since I was too busy laughing! 

Tien has more food porn. Yum!