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And if that news didn’t make me smile wide enough, I just learned of Swahilipod lessons through an Afromusing tweet. It’s Swahili time again! Now let me go and re-install the Swahili Dictionary Firefox Extension.

I came across this video at morphological confetti’s blog. The artist and his video exemplifies the significance, popularity, and success of YouTube. Merely a few years ago, his audience would have been limited to his region (city, state, etc.), or if lucky enough to afford a tour, he would have boasted obscure audiences in pockets of the country…and maybe even internationally. Because of YouTube, this musician can, for free, share his talents with the world. I’m just so thrilled by this personal media revolution. Great art is flourishing everywhere, and we can potentially be exposed to it all. In a recent conversation, a friend mentioned it’s like a rebirth of the Harlem Renaissance…the Digital Renaissance.

I recently got the opportunity to attend an ArtLifestyle concert — a combination of art gallery, lounge, bar/club, and concert.  I was pleasantly surprised.  The scene was one of sophistication and artsy eclecticism.  From NufacesNC, here’s a little more about the series:

The ArtLifestyle Concert Series is billed as an event ‘Where music, art and cuisine are enjoined to accentuate the positive.  An unforgettable experience for a true admirer of the arts.’ It is a series of events that consistently stimulates one’s auditory, visual and flavor palates through live music, inspiring artwork and delicious cuisine.  ArtLifestyle offers a  refreshing break from the normal party scene.  The mixed media concept is one not seen in a long time; and it takes originality and boldness to pull something like this off.

Click here to read the entire article and learn about the organizer, Ayinde Kwaku Purell.

Last week, I had the pleasure of being in the same room with this man (albeit a very large room and I was lucky to catch glimpses of him through the photogs legs who were on elevated risers in front of me). But I was there. I saw him. I heard him. And I can tell you, Obama has a presence that automatically uplifts you when he walks in the room. Charisma and humor oozes from this man. He was comfortable on stage, and it was evident to everyone in that room (I’m sure of it). Either he’s the real thing…or he’s a damn good actor. Again, my instinct tells me the former is true. When Obama speaks, it feels as if a common, (extra)ordinary man is speaking…not a politician.

What Does the Future Hold?

When I live-blogged from Obama’s Greensboro town-hall meeting, I received many cynical comments on my posts. Regardless of your political stance, as a democratic country we have to take pride in the overwhelming enthusiasm that both the Republican and Democratic Primaries have generated. Whether your political allegiance is with Obama, Clinton, McCain, Nader, etc., the fact that North Carolina’s primary is significant this election season is important for the tar heel state. We actually matter, and the candidates are forced to address issues that are of specific concern to the residents of North Carolina.

Last week was spring break for area schools and it was a wonderful feeling seeing so many kids in attendance. One of the young girls pictured to the right made a statement that I’m sure will resonate with many in attendance. I’m not quoting her verbatim, but she told me she came out with her mom because this election is historical. This is an election with the first African American and woman, she went on to say (not wholly true, but you get what she meant). Children interested in politics? If for no other reason, we should be proud of this primary election because of children like these girls. And by the way, the mom said it was her daughter who urged her to get tickets.

I was rooting for Joy Mims (left) to get in to the event. She came out with her children even though she didn’t have tickets. “I’m teaching them to be involved,” she said. And that’s what this election should be about…being involved. Agree or disagree, just be involved. And let us have a productive conversation about what is best for our country.

And for further inspiration…

This was such an enjoyable week for me! I learned Monday evening that Barack Obama would make a stop in Greensboro, N.C. to hold a town-hall meeting. I was bummed to find out work would prevent me from attending. Then…

I was asked to live blog the event for the tv station. Whoopee!!!!!!!!!! Now the title of this post is a tad misleading because I was in the building, but not “up close.” In reality, I was more like waaaaaayyy back. I sat in the press section (a first for me) but I couldn’t see a thing! They had us behind the risers so all I could see was the backsides of cameramen. But a photojournalist with our station had an excellent spot and captured these amazing photos of Obama.

I have more to share on the Obama experience. Stay tuned for the next post…

I’ll be live blogging at the event. Check me out on the blog section of myfoxwghp.com or right here at digitalherstory.com.

Hulu.com, a joint venture between FOX NewsCorp and NBC NBC Universal, opened to the public today. Haven’t explored too much even though I signed up for beta back in September. Today while I browsed, I noticed I could watch Sideways — the full length, broadcast quality video. That’s enough to make me visit again. I searched for episodes of The Cosby Show (hulu.com has current and past sitcoms) because it’s one of my all-time favorite shows. But sadly, only short clips that redirected me to nickelodeon.com. I’ll do more browsing (and watching!) later.

“With all due respect. I won twice as many states as Senator Clinton. I’ve won more of the popular vote than Senator Clinton. I have more delegates than Senator Clinton. So, I don’t know how somebody who’s in second place is offering vice presidency to the person who’s in first place,” he said. [Read more…]

As he points out, it doesn’t make sense. Seems to be just another part of the game…politics politricks as usual. Watch Obama spike a Clinton-Obama ticket »

Shrinking spaces of recreation have created conditions of calamity (In reference to young people).

Ebonicized articulation (I’m an articulate ebonics speaker!).

Blackness ain’t just one thang!

[It is unfair to express] our perception of their pathology in public without offering a forum with which poor black people can express themselves (Critiquing Bill Cosby’s infamous comments).

If I write something you don’t like, you have an obligation to holla back at me.