PHEW! Success!

I had my annual end-of-summer dinner party yesterday.  I didn't know who would come because folks don't RSVP anymore.

But, they came in.  They ate.  They had engaging conversations.

Among those attending were those in the media, entertainment, business and, of course, good friends.

The food was DE BEST -- thanks for Chef Nicole. It was plentiful and DE-LI-CIOUS

AND EVERYONE HAD A GOOD TIME!

The weather was perfect - SUNNY, not a cloud overhead.

And, midway through the dinner, I looked at the sea of invitees and knew it was a job well done.

Well, it can be pricey, and I bite my nails leading up to the event.

But, the success of it all has me feeling pretty happy and satisfied on this post-event day.

Despite my complaining and moaning pre-event, I know I'll do it again.

Next year.

It's about growth!

I'm going to China in October and I'm SOOOOO excited!

In preparation for the trip, I'm learning how to speak Chinese.

The language is complicated but I'm slowly getting the major phrases down.

The agency handling the trip says it's not necessary to learn the language since the guide speaks English and can assist if there are rare situations where I have to speak the language.

But, I'm learning it anyway.

There are several reasons why:

Natives respect you for trying to master  their language.

You get to speak to the Chinese in their language.

And the most important:

I get a sense of accomplishment and uplift when learning something new.

It's about growth!

Blame it on Serena

Labor Day is a big holiday weekend in Chicago.

There are BBQs, Fests, concerts, parties...places to go and people to see.

But, as a lifelong Tennis FAN-A-TIC, I watch the US Open.

I love watching Serena in her comeback.

I love watching Sloane as she defends her title.

I love Nadal, Federer, Del Potro, Isner, Thiem

I love the doubles and mixed doubles.

I love seeing the up-and-coming players make their mark.

I love seeing the veterans maintaining their dominance.

I love Love LOVE tennis.

Yea, yeah.  I know I could tape it.  But, I've got to see it in REAL TIME!  And, my DVR might not work.

I can't take that chance.

So, folks if I don't get to eat ribs at the BBQs, or visit the African Festival of the Arts, or sit on the lawn and listen to the Jazz Fest...

Well,

Blame it on Serena.

Black Harvest Film Festival

A few years ago, the Black Harvest Film Festival promoted the series by hosting screenings at local libraries.  I attended many of the screenings and gained an appreciation for their mission:  giving exposure to local African-American filmmakers.

I LOVED IT!

I enjoyed the movies and, in some cases, the filmmaker was there to field questions and to talk more about his journey.  Plus, we were served refreshments.

As an added incentive, we received complimentary tickets to the REAL showings.

I went and enjoyed the Festival immensely.

Since then, I've gone because the promotional effort made me a believer and a lover of the Festival.

You see the trendy folks there who, also, appreciate the mission and the cinematic message.

It's a win/win and part of my annual must-attends.

National Association of Black Journalists

I LOVE this convention.  It's an under-one-roof conference where you can learn from masters like Tyler Perry and other experts from all media-related disciplines.  I also renew friendships, cement and establish contacts, and connect with a host of media wonks.  This has reaped tremendous rewards as these contacts have turned into HITS.

This year's confab was held in Detroit so I got away to visit Hitsville and other Detroit landmarks, which is making a comeback.

Whatever I spend in registration and fees is worth it in turns of the millions of dollars of benefits I get from attending.

FREE equals FUN

Last weekend, I attended the Taste of WVON food fest.  It had EVERYTHING!  Food, Entertainment, Networking and tons of vendors that sold clothes, jewelry and EVERYTHING I CRAVE!  The spirit of the event was AWESOME!  I ran into so many people and got hugs, made new friends and felt joyful!

And it was all FREE -- well for admission anyway.

But, as I walked the few blocks of the Fest hugging folks, greeting contacts and feeling LUV, it occurred to me that there are so many FREE events that are FUN and TIME FILLERS!

And, the summertime in Chicago is filled with festivals, fairs, flea markets -- THE WORKS!

I always have a great time.  They make for great date sites or just for lallygagging around, as I do.

But, it adds up to FUN!

And what makes the FUN even more FANTASTIC is that it's FREE!

Humiliated? In pain? It's Ok.

Once every few months, I get together with my nephew for lunch and tennis.

It is fun to catch up over lunch and get rid bits about his family.  It is also wonderful to just interact with this young man, who is truly marvelous.

But, then...there's tennis.

He has a monster serve and just blows me off the court.

I'm constantly chasing balls and, on those rare times when we actually have a rally...he usually wins!

But, it's all smiles.

Afterwards, I'm "humiliated" in a fun way.  And, the next day, my joints are hurting as well as many other parts of the body.

But, it's all worth it to connect and spend time with him.

So, forget the pain.  Forget the embarrassment.  This is about love.