A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

From the mid-'90s into the new millennium, I got the chance to co- direct and teach the New York Association of Black Journalists High School Journalism Workshop. In the spring of each of those years, other volunteers and I would execute our plan to teach New York City-area students the basics of journalism: print and broadcast. By the end of the nine weeks, these kids would have clips from their newspaper they would publish and they would have 'tape' comprised from a newscast that they would produce. Though I still speak to young folks and mentor, those most-involved days of working closely with the city's most promising youth (with the 'journalism' bug) made for many fulfilling years. The bigger joy was actually seeing where these kids would go after college. And boy, did they reach for the stars... and land on many of them.

One of our most promising was Kenneth Miles, who - at 14 - was writing freelance pieces for entertainment and music magazines. He was into 'gossip' like me (crediting Wendy Williams as one of his heroes), but he was always discerning enough to be able to read and watch such without losing sight of the journalism (or lack thereof sometimes). Over the years, he's prospered and struggled with career and life circumstances. However, he always makes me proud at how he lands. I think he sometimes overstates my influence when I see him. One time he wrote these words to me. More than his gratitude, his candor helped me put many of my own challenges in perspective:

Patrick,
it's been good seeing you recently. I could never thank you enough for all the encouragement and support that you have giving me and other aspiring journalists throughout the years. I really respect and admire how articulate and intelligent you are. Damn, you know how hard it can be to get your foot in the door, especially when you're of color. Thanks for keeping me posted on what's going on at the NYABJ. I never been as scared and uncertain about my career in my life, and it's scary as hell. I always knew what I wanted to do, but now that I've been at THE SOURCE for about a year, met just about every rapper in the industry, went to every open bar, and seen my bylines in publications such as (Interview, Vibe, Black Enterprise, Oneworld, etc.), I'm ready to venture on to different things like doing cover stories, traveling a lot more (I took my first plane ride this year), and finishing that novel in progress that every writer has...
Anyway, this has to be one of the longest e-mails I ever wrote. Keep in touch.
Peace,
Kenny

Another of our students Curtis Stephen has gone on to do some awesome journalism that was recently celebrated the other week at the New York Association of Black Journalists (NYABJ) 19th annual scholarship and awards dinner at Columbia University's Roone Arledge auditorium. In the Magazine & General Features category, Curtis was awarded for his report in the September/October issue of The Crisis Magazine on 40 years since the founding of the Black Panther Party ("Life of A Party"). Curtis writes: "The process of having a new idea or receiving an assignment to actually reporting on it and then staring at a blank screen ("How am I going to start this?") to eventually having an actual story is a fascinating process (one that every journalist can relate to)."

And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Jason Frasier, Columbia University graduate of 2005. He joined our NYABJ High School Journalism Workshop when he was just in middle school. But he was ambitious and hungry. Ever-confident, he wanted to be on the anchor desk the first year of the program. When we made him the weather guy, he soon found out what "stage fright" was and the importance of good vision. By next year, he was our anchor and did a stellar job. Throughout his college years at Columbia, he hosted a radio show and did a number of internships at local TV stations and news networks. Keeping his options open, he even explored business/banking for a while. Now, he's looking at his what's next, which I trust will be on somebody's air very soon.

... and then there was CHLOE. CHLOE HILLIARD that is... She was one of our STARS! Her career took her to New York University, where she too knew how to work her way around a basketball. She worked on the editorial staffs of SOURCE Magazine and LIFETIME Women. She survived a down-sizing and has just recently landed on top with an innovative new project. It's called JOURNALISTICKS.COM, a new online community for journalists of color. It is a user driven site created to serve as a space for journalists to promote their work, discuss media, culture, news and search for jobs. Chloe, a former News Editor of The Source magazine, says this online community will provide a one-stop shop for media companies to find young, talented writers, editors, producers, broadcasters and web reporters of color. "As a young journalist there wasn't a place for me to go and talk to my peers," says my Chloe, who has written for such publications as The Source, King, Vibe and Vibe Vixen and appeared on news programs CNN Headline News' Prime News, Our World with Black Enterprise and ABC News Now's Speak Freely. "As an editor at an urban publication, I had a difficult time finding young writers of color. There was no one place to find them. This site will change all of that."  In addition to serving as a pool for employers, JOURNALISTICKS.COM will be a platform to showcase journalists work with all content on the site generated by its users. Other features on JOURNALISTICKS.COM include SOAPBOX, a message board where users can post their clips for review and feedback as well as discuss freelance opportunities and tricks of the trade. Another focal point will be THE J-O-B, a job post section catering to all fields and levels of expertise within the media job market.

"... the children are the future (literally)..." I am honored to have been able to touch their lives in some small way.

My cup runneth over with party invitations this week - some of which I was able to attend. Others were going on via the west coast (in anticipation of the Oscars) as I found myself assigned to do some cool work on the east coast (that should be available for the nation to see very soon. Not sure when, but I may be popping sometime soon... STAY loosely TUNED!). With that, I'll bullet a few of my outings (from being there) and a few others (from the eyes and ears of those who have reported to me).

In 1992, as a senior at Morehouse College, I was one of maybe eight Morehouse brothers who got the opportunity to be a "presenter" at "The Candle In The Dark" Gala. Honorees at the Gala are presented with either a "Candle" or "Bennie" award. "Candle" recipients receive honors for excellence in a varietty of fields, including athletics, business, education, entertainment, government, law, military service, religion, and science and technology. "Bennie" recpients, who must be graduates of Morehouse, receive recognition in the areas of service, achievement, and trailblazing. The "Bennie" Award is named in honor of the late Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, who served as president of Morehouse from 1940 to 1967. My year, I presented Academy-and-Emmy-award-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr. with his honor, but let me tell you, the honor was all mine. This moment (as well as the opportunity I got to be a spokesperson for Morehouse before performing with the glee club on CBS' "Kennedy Center Honors") are the two of my fondest and perhaps most foretelling memories from college.

This year, two of the "Candle" honorees were Sidney Poitier and Roscoe Lee Brown, Jr. My nephew, Herman Lee Riley III, sent me a text from the "Reflections of Excellence" panel in which all of the honorees drop science on the students of Morehouse (before the formal event that night). Noot, I call my nephew, wrote "Sidney Poitier is hilarious!". When we spoke later, he shared that he found Mr. Poitier to be so connected and honest. My nephew said he understands through Mr. Poitier's sharings what he means by "the measure of a man", the title of his autobiography. Noot added that much of what Roscoe Lee Brown, Jr. had to say was so "Shakespearean" in presentation that it went over his head, but "... it sure sounded good.".  That night, my friend LaChanze (the original Miss Celie in Broadway's "The Color Purple") hosted the evening. Her sister Michelle Sapp wrote to me "Patrick, the Gala was an experience for me. My sister was fabulous and the audience was impeccable," she exclaimed. "... I see why YOU ARE because MOREHOUSE MEN ain't no joke!!!!". 

 What AWESOME FEEDBACK from an AWESOME woman. Michelle Sapp is the founder, creator, and executive producer of Michelle’s Place ( www.michellesplacelive.com ). Eventually, it will have a permanent location with a focus on “realization through artistic implementation”. With that said, she has already hosted a Mother's Day event in Stamford, CT; a boat ride along the Hudson; and several networking events around 'event/conference planning'. And Michelle's events are not self-serving. Her first, for example, began the campaign of raising money for the Save The Children “Ethiopian School Project” where they are trying to build as many schools across all the villages to ensure not only a proper education but a safe one as well. 14-year-old girls will be registering into the first grade as traveling to schools 10 miles away could not guarantee their safety. "Michelle’s Place" has committed to build one school which cost $25,000. Therefore, this event coupled with future events will focus on completing the mission of building one school. Michelle says "While I live my dream, I wish to create dreams for others." You'll be hearing more about Michelle in the 'life of riley' because she is one of my pop culture 'soul mates' and fellow Janet Jackson fans. She is the one to whom I pass the Diana Ross doll Kodjoe gave to me during this performance: (http://216.117.188.141/rileyshowforkodjoe.wmv) Stay tuned... Michelle is taking it higher everyday! 

Meanwhile, remember Stacie J from the 2nd season of "The Apprentice". Well, she (and one of her PR reps Michelle Pascal) invited me to her birthday party at tony, meat-packing district spot in Manhattan "P.M.". I took my Morehouse brother and fast friend Khalid with me to take in the scene. My platonic boo Carl Nelson had just flown back to NYC from Vegas, where he partook in some festive NBA All- Star festivities. It was a great night of catching up with old friends like Ron Donovan whose luxury shoe line is getting ready to blow up even further. I also ran into my Morehouse brother Nassar, who has a few new movies under his belt. A young lady Lauren "Cookie" Patton who was so kind to me when I first moved here in 1995 was there and I was pleased to hear she is now an actress, hitting the pavement in New York. I even caught wind of some "new restaurant" action that's poised to show up in Harlem, which can always use a new hot spot to compliment the great haunts like "Native" and "Ginger". I'll write about all of the aforementioned as the information comes in. But it was nice to get these little ripples at Stacie's party. Something to look forward to...

... in fact, the next night I can't speak in detail about. But again, Khalid and I had the chance to rub shoulders in Manhattan for a private screening of a forthcoming documentary which I actually had the chance to work on. But the sightings included: my heroes of song Ashford and Simpson; new reality TV favorites Reverand Run and his lovely wife Justine; hip hop personality Ed Lover; the better-halves of Spike Lee, Al Roker, and L.A. Reid; Star Jones Reynolds and her husband Al; and his uncle, the legendary George Fasion, Tony-award-winning choreographer, who is currently "letting the children know" how to make stage magic in the BET reality show "One Night Only", which chronicles some New Orleans high school students who - post-Katrina - aim to put on a first-class staging of the musical "Dreamgirls", etc. (www.bet.com/pr) Lovely night...

On that same night, I was invited to a hot ticket set in Los Angeles. GIANT Magazine and Jamie Foxx threw a pre-Oscar party for Jennifer Hudson, whose represenation from the Ava Duvernay Agency sent me a V.I.P. invitation. Though I was not able to attend, my "Amazing Grace" Nichole was (She's out there on business with Black Enterprise, which ironically was going on in the same venue, the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills). She says Jennifer - now VOGUE cover girl - was gorgeous and seemed happy. The ballroom was the location of  Black Enterprise Magazine's annual Top 50 Hollywood Power Brokers event. However, the hotel's penthouse is where J-Hud's party took place. Nichole says it was packed, but worth it (if only for a moment) to see Janet Jackson, whose CD release party Nichole and I attended (She left early as Miss Jackson's arrival took too long for her). Others there include: Ludacris, Chris Brown, Lil Jon, Serena Williams, Morris Chestnut, Gary Dourdan, etc. In the words of Janet Jackson, "the one thing missing was (ME)..."! SMILE!

Then, the following day, I got an invite to the Ebony magazine pre-Oscar celebration featuring a salute to Halle Berry, Forest Whitaker, Janet Jackson, and Herbie Hancock. But because of east coast obligations, I couldn't be there as well. SHOUT OUT to EBONY and JET's Editorial Director Bryan Monroe, who too is President of the National Association of Black Journalists. He extended the invite to a set that I hear was too off the charts. This Third Annual affair was held at the Jim Henson Studios in Hollywood (1416 North LaBrea Ave.). Sponsors contributed a scholarship to the Howard University John H. Johnson School of Communications, named for Ebony’s founder.

No Oscar parties planned for me tonight! Perhaps like Grammy night as I found myself traveling back to New York without "someone to share it with...", my friends Jason and Marqise will throw a last-minute set. We had such a great time! And I am available. Perhaps I'm meant to appreciate it "with myself" tonight at home alone. Though "... the life of Riley" might lead you to think there's ALWAYS an invite, sometimes not. And it's cool... to catch up on my energy for the next round.

I want to briefly TESTIFY on a young man I had the opportunity to meet in the summer of 2005. His name is Kevin Ross. And we met at a course he and I have taken called Momentum Education (www.momentumeducation.com), which is a series of life courses that have helped me shape my world and choices powerfully. It too has supported me in upgrading the relationships in my life. I've mentioned the work here before:(http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2006/10/25/love-is-in-the-air.html).

That said, a young lady named Jackie - also having taken the work (who is so generous of SPIRIT) - thought Kevin and I would hit it off. Kevin, a DREAM Producer and DESIGNER LIFE Coach, has helmed some of these classes, introduction nights, and his own brand of this type of work. Through this work (and - truth be told - my life), I have maintained a STAND for all people's POSSIBILITIES and wasn't quite sure what Kevin and I would ever be able to do for each other. Still, inside of our meeting, was POSSIBILITY that has begun to show up since that time.

Fast forward a few months after our meeting, I'm reminded that Kevin felt he needed to be at the opening night (December 1, 2005) of Broadway's "The Color Purple", which - by the way - has just announced that on April 10, another of my favorites Fantasia will take over the part of Miss Celie, a role my dear friend LaChanze originated and for which she took home the Tony Award last year.  I've referenced that special, historical night as one in which I met my current life partner Anthony, but many other miracles were brewing in tandem as that special evening unfolded. The most prominent moment that I think of centers around Kevin's desire to attend. Now keep in mind, people ask me all the time for access to shows, parties, and premieres. Sometimes I can accommodate. Other times I cannot. Because I knew with whom (and whose) I was dealing, I alerted Kevin if he was willing to be a STAND INSIDE OF POSSIBILITY and NOT SO ATTACHED TO HOW MY SUPPORT COULD LOOK, he should simply come on out and PLAY TO WIN! (TRANSLATION: I didn't have an extra ticket for the show or the afterparty, but figured if he was willing to just SHOW UP, perhaps something could be managed IN THE MOMENT). You see, many would want to ENSURE they are ON THE LIST or TAKEN CARE OF before they got dressed and took to commuting to the city for an UNSURE THING. But KEVIN, from the beginning, was in the POSSIBILITY. And once he arrived, I saw his INTENTIONS unfold as he escorted the show's key producer into the theater (ALL HIS DESIGN). A mutual friend set him up with a ticket to see the show. And I was successful at hooking him up with a ticket for the AFTER- PARTY. Quite simply, if you look at what "THE COLOR PURPLE" is about as a story of THE POWER OF LOVE (over oppression), TRANSFORMATION, and POSSIBILITIES, WHY NOT? 

I found myself impressed with Kevin that night as each MIRACLE unfolded for him. But I was even more impressed at myself in JUMPING ABOARD his TRAIN OF POSSIBILITIES from the vantage point of an OUTWARD FOCUS (Keep in mind, I was already taken care of for the night!) to have someone else's DREAMS come true. It was a tangible, substantive TESTIMONIAL around our POWER to BE A DIFFERENCE for others and how WE (EACH OF US) can GET OUT OF OUR WAY to be a STAND for someone else... JUST  BECAUSE.... It's a GOOD FEELING!!!

On from there, Kevin and I would stay in touch, even uncovering that we were both Morehouse Men, a distinction and chunk of evidence that often clarifies a part of how each of us shows up in the world. Morehouse College and its mystique for graduating strong, Black men is nothing new. (www.morehouse.edu). I'd find Kevin would call or e-mail and check in at moments where I needed to hear some of his HELPFUL and POWERFUL advisement. This, amidst his busy schedule as international inspirational speaker, business consultant, designer life coach, minister, and author of "Heavenly Words for Hard Times", "Living the Designer Life", and "T.O.U.G.H.: Talk for Living the Designer Life". He says "My mission is to inspire and empower millions of people to design and live the lives and businesses of their dreams in the context of freedom, love, and joy!". Inside of me (and what shows up in my life), Kevin asked me to speak to his students via a conference call one day last September. Admittedly taken aback, I didn't know what I could share with his students that would  make more of a difference than his structured curriculum. But let me tell you, they could not shut me up as I approached the call organically and TRUSTED GOD would order my STEPS and my CONVERSATION. And quite simply, I shared my TRUTH - AUTHENTICALLY, LOVINGLY, and VULNERABLY. The FEEDBACK from Kevin and his group was off the charts. And again, though my EGO could take everything they said and rest on it, my HEART took everything they said and knew that because I was SHARING OPENLY, LIVES (other than my own) could change. And that's the GOOD FEELING we could all afford to EMBRACE in our lives as we FOCUS SO MUCH ON SELF and WHAT'S MISSING that we LOSE SIGHT of how effortlessly GRATITUDE can DIVINELY distract us from our MEANTIME LONGINGS and ARMOR - even STIMULATE - our DEEPEST DESIRES... before we even know it.  It's the LAWS OF ATTRACTION (thesecret.org/) at work. And a shift in our MINDSET and our FOCUS can LAND us on our DREAMS. KEVIN also talks about this in the context of "THE SECRET".

Check these 2 links out:

(1) - (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfUKUk0dF1M)

(2) - (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVZMPntuoWM)

Also, BE INSPIRED by Kevin's 100 Day Reality Challenge. Then, visit www.cocreatingourreality.com to register. Watch as Kevin Ross gives you tips for getting started in the challenge:

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SMT87SdqxQ)

Well, let me now share with you how the UNIVERSE works and supports LIKE ENERGIES. One of my very good girlfriends who I credit as one of my "Amazing Graces" Lisa Goodnight and I go way back to 1992 when we met in Detroit at the National Association of Black Journalists. We have been that ENERGY for each other over many years. The UNIVERSE has used us as VESSELs many times to COMPLIMENT each other's DREAMS into ACTION. I was a DIFFERENCE to have her commitment to leave New Jersey and go back to Maryland with a JOB in tow as I would be the defining reference that landed her with a position that got her back home. She is responsible for being my CHEERLEADER around doing more PUBLIC SPEAKING and HOSTING --- a tier of my talents that I'm always aiming to have show up on the next level. As a result, some of the entities to which she's introduced me STILL call on me today for revenue-generating opportunities that elevate my profile. And to all of that (and on the days when nothing shows up), I LOVE HER and SHE LOVES ME.

Well, now LISA is a freelance writer out of the D.C.-area and called me for a story she was doing in "Black Enterprise" on the importance of chasing down your dreams and pursuing the dreams. Moreover, she wanted to gather a list of ideas on ways that people can move out of their unhappiness/unfulfillment into possibilities. She wanted a life coach. Well, of course, I knew the perfect person: Kevin Ross.

That was in November. Fast forward to this month for the "deliverable". Lisa Goodnight  came through with the article in the March 2007 edition of "Black Enterprise" in the 'Motivation and Peak Performance section' (page 128). The story is titled "Dare Dreaming" and is currently on the newsstand and promises to empower millions with the tools it takes to design the life and business of their dreams. Kevin wrote to me: "As always, I want you to know how much I appreciate you for being a part of the journey. Having you in my corner is great encouragment to go out there and touch as many lives as possible. Call me and let me know how my team and I can support you with living your dreams!" And with this measurable result, he has.  But his generous gift of his favorite Garrett Popcorn(GarrettPopcorn.com) as a THANK YOU is THANK YOU ENOUGH as my FULFILLMENT of helping someone else FULFILL their dream is the main course. Still, this decorative bucket of famous, Chicago popcorn will come in handy tonight as I watch the same city's latest household wonder (Jennifer Hudson) take home the gold. FINGERS CROSSED! PRAYERS UP!!!

Another of my "Amazing Graces" Audrey Irvine and I have been dear friends since her days at Clark Atlanta University and my days at Morehouse. During that time, we competed for airtime at CAU-TV as we both were studying to be news anchors/hosts. Like a campy episode of "Dynasty" or "Dallas", you would have thought we were battling for millions of dollars versus some public cable access. Again, we went head-to-head for a prized internship at WSB-TV and along with our other buddy Lonnie, we both got it. There, we learned to work together and join each other in forwarding our respective pursuits. Audrey, who worked the night shift, would even give me her car when I got off... and I could work the city and its many happy hours and free buffets as long as I was back to pick her up at 11:30 pm. Since that time, we've stayed in touch from across the miles. She now works for CNN. I am working 'the life of Riley'. Whenever we come together for the National Association of Black Journalists' convention, we laugh and laugh and laugh as we count on our time at this annual gathering to be the "spa treatment for which our egos long". One year in Washington DC, Audrey couldn't wait for me to see her hot, new haircut which inspired - let her tell it - so many people to call her "Toni Braxton". Well, in the course of the week (as we were attached at the hip), I never saw anyone mistake her for "Toni Braxton". Fast forward to the eve of our departure, Audrey and I are walking out of D.C. Live, a nightspot where she and I got our groove on. In good spirits, we walked cautiously from the venue to our hotel as it was late and there was a homeless man waking up from his slumber on the sidewalk. As we walked on by him, we caught a whiff of urine and the sound of his voice, calling to Audrey: "Toni Braxton!!!!!". I exploded in laughter, knowing that Audrey finally got what she wanted - someone to acknowledge her as "Toni Braxton". Moved to the point where I could not breathe and my sides were splitting, I fell --- full-bodied --- to the urine-tinged ground until I could gather my senses. Audrey, meanwhile, was embarassed to no end that I had to witness the one person -- not a conventioneer -- who called her just what she wanted. I teased her about this for the rest of our time at the convention and I still tease her about it today. It always brings a smile to our faces and lots of laughter to kick off the times we spend.

Valentine's Day was no exception. My Audrey was in town to see the Broadway musical "The Color Purple" and for a bird flu conference (Don't ask). As a result of my being snowed out of Chicago, where I had an assignment, I was free to do dinner with Audrey and my new Morehouse buddy Khalid. We chose Maroons Restaurant on 16th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues) (Maroons: New York: Maroons). It's a hybrid of caribbean and southern cuisine. And over the years, I've gone there often. My Nichole and I have done lots of sets there, which inspires the owner Mitchell to ask about her (and vice versa) when we are there without each other. Also, Maroons is the setting for one of the last pictures of my late soul mate Kodjoe and me. It's a special place, indeed. 

Of course, I would have loved to be with my Anthony for this amorous holiday, but he had already represented with the loveliest card from our ATL trip (COVER: "You're the Man I Love"). So in his absence, Audrey, Khalid, and I had to just call LOVE forth through our respective meals, the rum punches of the night, and our LOVE for Karaoke, which followed.  I called my Karaoke pusher-man Dante to see if he wanted to join us for a Valentine's night session. He and his partner Marcus enthusiastically agreed. With that, we hit our same spot Karoke One 7 (www.karaoke17.com). It's on 17th Street just on the threshold of the Grammercy Park/Flatiron Districts in Manhattan. Keep in mind, the way that Audrey and I battle for the spotlight. Imagine our tensions for the solos. As they say, "If you can't beat them, join them". So, often we would share the mic on duets (or we'd turn solo songs into duets). Our "Beautiful Ones" by Prince shut the kids down. Also, Audrey and Khalid did a few numbers together. And I managed to lure a half dozen or so strangers into our room as I performed the big closer: "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going". Of course, with Jennifer Hudson on the brain so much of late, I found myself schizophrenically singing the arrangment, which was Jennifer Hollidays. I was going back and forth between each of the divas licks on the respective recordings. Lots of fun!

The next night, I was invited to the Time Warner Building in Columbus Circle for an invitation-only sneak peek of the summer release "Hairspray", the remake of the Broadway musical, which was adapted from John White's dark-humored original for the big screen. On the heels of having a "liquid lunch" with my Audrey, who had to leave town, I let a bicycle cabbie take me up from the Bryant Park Grill to the Time Warner building as finding a cab was impossible. This was my view as we were getting ready to pass Radio City Music Hall on Avenue of the Americas. Khalid met me at the screening. This version, out July 20th, stars Queen Latifah and John Travolta (as the mother of the show's star). The director Adam Shankman - along with producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (who produced Diana Ross and Brandy in "Double Platinum") - presented a 25-minute teaser, chockful of the film's musical excerpts. And though I figured I'd love it as I love the Broadway musical, I started to get "Dreamgirls"-esque palpatations as I watched the scenes. Not sure I'll do a 12-day campaign (as I did with "Dreamgirls", which I've now seen 15 times), but "Hairspray" is a must-see for everyone. The moments we saw brought us such joy!

From there, I attended the New York Association of Black Journalists 19th Annual Scholarship and Awards Dinner at Columbia University's Roone Arledge Auditorium. Since 1995, I've writtten the script and and produced this event. I've sat on the dinner committee. I've sung "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" at the top of the annual night for five of these years. I've presented awards and hosts. And I've been the auctioneer for some of the LIVE auction prizes in the past. I've even won a few of the awards over the year, including being honored as NYABJ's Volunteer of the Year for its "Trailblazer Awards" in 2003. This year, however, I just attended and what a good feeling that was to sit back and relax. My friend Michael K. Watts did a brilliant job on this year's script (as he has in recent years). And Sandra Bookman (from WABC) and Dana Tyler (from WCBS) were great hosts. I also got the chance to see some friends I usually only see on nights like these, including Robin Stone and her son Zachary; my good girlfirend Michelle Hord; and Dante (from my Karaoke nights). NYABJ's lifetime achievement award in broadcast journalism was formally renamed the Ed Bradley Lifetime Achievement Award. The recepient was legendary WABC-TV newsman Art McFarland, who was presented with his award by Mr. Bradley's widow, Patricia Blanchet. British-born CBS photographer Paul Douglas, received a lifetime achievement award in photographywho posthumously as he was killed last year in Iraq. His widow, Linda, accepted the honor. Also awarded: WNBC-TV's Janice Huff for her community service. NPR's Farai Chideya and The New York Times' Brent Staples were also honored. Great night for NYABJ!!!!

Valentine's Day is also my Ern's birthday. He was in Philadelphia for work on the day itself. So, I took it upon myself to celebrate with him yesterday. I took him to our favorite Houston's for Saturday's "Firehouse Chili". Then, Khalid joined Ern and me at Ern's place for champagne, other cocktails, and a viewing of one of my favorite DVDs "Jackie's Back", a mockumentary of a diva making a comeback starring Jennifer Lewis (as Jackie Washington).   It never fails to entertain and leave us howling with laughter. Once we found out Khalid loved it too, we all knew we should get together and enjoy it. Too bad our Audrey had to leave to go back as so much of what "Jackie's Back" represents is the diva my Audrey sometimes knows she is in her mind (and sometimes me too.).  If you haven't seen "Jackie's Back", you must pick it up immediately. The Robert-Townsend directed flick which originally ran on Lifetime is a cult and camp classic. "ENTENDRE...!!!!!!"

I love a party! Sure, GALAs and PREMIERE PARTIES are over the top. Dressing up in couture, sipping on champagne, and nibbling on caviar are exciting ways to spend an evening. And of course, CELEBRITY sightings can be fun too. Moreover, it's nice to be a V.I.P. and interact with those being honored, like Tony-award-winning friend LaChanze at festive party that followed her big win for "The Color Purple" back in the summer of 2006.

But I'm also into the low-maintenance brand of coming together for a house party --- an intimate little set with some food, friends, and fun (maybe cards, music, a TV event, or just good conversation). The fun could be "just because...". Or, in the case of a recent set at the elegantly-decorated, Lakeshore Drive home of my friend Chicago Carl, it was a "let's-get-together-because-Patrick-is-back-in-town" party. So, after the business of my day, my Ti-Ti (Itika) picked me up (as she had just seen "Norbit" by herself because Carl, Jesse, Arlene, and I were to see it with her the night prior, but she came to the wrong theater. SMILE! "How you doin'????" LOL!). Ti-Ti and I ventured up to Carl's pad and he was awaiting us with open arms. Ever the host, we were given a tour and then seated comfortably as he provided fabulous glassware for Itika's two-step 'apple martini' (with Appleton Rum). CHEERS! Soon, Carl's generous and kind friend Vince (who hosted the last affair we all had when I was leaving Chicago from my month-long stint in January) joined us and we let the sounds of Diana's current CD "I Love You" and one of her "greatest hits" (along with a career-long collection by Patti LaBelle) score this portion of the evening. During this time, Vince, Itika, and I chatted intensely and passionately about "The Secret". This movie was created by Australian Rhonda Byrne, who says that if you follow its philosophy, you can create the life you want—whether that means getting out of debt, finding a more fulfilling job or even falling in love. (www.thesecret.tv/).  I haven't seen the movie, but Vince has. And since I'm always attuned to tools that can support my delivering on the results I want to have show up in my life, I sat their OPEN to what he had to say on the subject. It echoed some life work I've done and have written about here on the blog www.momentumeducation.com . (REMEMBER: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2006/10/25/love-is-in-the-air.html ). Itika weighed in with a series that her pastor was teaching on CONFESSIONS. It all looks at - on some level - WHO ARE WE BEING that the results in our lives are showing up or not showing up??? And as "The Secret" goes, the most powerful Law of the Universe: the Law of Attraction should be our guide. Because, according to this work, "Like attracts like,"  or "It is done unto you as you believe" (a belief is only a thought you keep thinking). And most importantly, Law of Attraction is something we are all armored to make work to our advantage. Once I see the film, I'm sure I'll talk more about it. Playing in a conversation around POSSIBILITIES at this inspired party (over pizza and wings) was the perfect way to spend our time.

Once Carl's brother Andre got there, we placed his DJ hat on him and he rewarded us with an awesome, prolific box set from Holland-Dozier-Holland, who wrote many of my Diana's hits with the Supremes. "Heaven Must Have Sent You: The Holland-Dozier-Holland Story" is a 3-CD collection that traces the development of these master music men's craft. From "Where Did Our Love Go?" to "Love Is Like an Itchin' In My Heart", we watched these classics bring joy to our faces.  (http://www.amazon.com/Heaven-Must-Have-Sent-You/dp/B0009S2TIY) Big shout out to Andre for skipping through to all my Diana selects first... before we heard the other magic that Holland- Dozier-Holland created over the years. (Thanks for the ride too!).

I've also told you about hairstylist & weaver extraordinaire Jesse Dean. Carl works with her at the Jesse Dean Hair Salon. She brought her husband Brian. And it was a pleasure to meet him as she's spoken about him so many times. He's a great guy and not so bad on the eyes either. Go Jesse!!! Now that I have seen her husband, I get why she was so quick to acknowledge how handsome my boyfriend Anthony is. (Not too much, Jesse!).

Carl was nothing short of the host with the most - going so far as to replenish our liquor well with a late-night run as we all felt like one more drink would cap off the night. Since Carl himself doesn't drink, I just found that to be so generous and loving. He truly wanted to make sure we all had a good time. And we truly did. THANKS CARL! I'll see you soon!

One day later, I found myself scheduled to return home to New Jersey without a Grammy set. It came on Sunday night. Just as I was commuting to Chicago's O'Hare airport to get on my flight, I get a vibrating text from my friends Jason & Marqise who decided to have a few folks over for an intimate, Grammy-viewing party. You'll recall, they were in the mix for my BDAY EXTRAVAGANZA (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2006/11/21/a-birthday-in-the-life-of-riley.html). Also, they threw a New Year's set at their home in Jamaica, NY and my Anthony and I had a brilliant time ringing in 2007 there. (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/1/4/its-a-new-year-and-im-still-dreaming.html). Well, this time it was much more simple. My Marlynn, Troy, Jason, Marquise, and I (along with a girlfriend of theirs who didn't stay too long) were in the mix. Jason, still and always ever the host, prepared our plates of BBQ and baked wings, macaroni and cheese, and salad. Riesling (White wine) was the drink of the night. And he capped off his menu with a delicious yellow cake with chocolate frosting. The GRAMMYs provided our entertainment and we experienced many highlights including:

* The blue-eyed soul of Miss Christina Aguilera shut the kids down as she performed James Brown's "It's a Man's World" as a tribute to the late great. She worked the song to perfection - so much so, I was trying to figure out who preceded her as she entered unannounced from the bottom of the stage. Then, a big picture of James Brown appeared on the background before she lunged into this historic performance. Juxtaposed to Beyonce's luke-warm, tentative "Listen", Christina definitely had one of the top sets of the night. (I hear, however, Beyonce had a stomach flu).

* Overall, it was Mary J. Blige's night. In great voice, she sang "Be Without You" in front of an orchestra before breaking out into Bette Midler's "Stay". She was phenomenal! When she accepted her best R&B album trophy for "The Breakthrough", her thank-you list was so long she was nearly cut off. But isn't GRATITUDE what  you would want to come from an artist on a night where eyes are all clearly on you? And she further rewarded the crowd with her hook on Ludacris' latest which was presented with Earth, Wind, & Fire.

* Stevie Wonder introduced one of the more unusual performances of the night, a collaboration among Corinne Bailey Rae, John Legend and John Mayer. But it was a highlight for me. Rae began with "Like a Star," accompanying herself on acoustic guitar. Mayer joined in on electric guitar, then Legend on piano. Legend then turned his "Coming Home" into a trio in which Mayer and Bailey Rae chimed in before Mayer took over with his bluesy "Gravity".  

* Another inspired medley (that I'm reminded is what preceded Christina): Smokey Robinson, Lionel Richie, and Chris Brown - each who paid tribute to the R&B genre with one of their hit songs. Robinson displayed his sweet, tender falsetto "Tracks of My Tears." Richie craftily sang and tickled the keys of the piano to his huge, but delicate, hit "Hello," and Brown (with a hoodie-wearing dance troupe behind him) gave a performance worthy of MTV VMA Awards credibility as he displayed modern-day R&B through the melody (and accompanying choreography) of "Run It."

 After the GRAMMYs, Jason, Marqise, and Marlynn reminded me why I hold them all so high as friends. In addition to our chats about the GRAMMYs, we each checked in with each other and where thing are with our lives and our careers. And in that moment (and after that moment), I was reminded of how nice it is to have friends who care and about whom I care. And I thought how blessed I am to - from time to time - have people in my life who are as concerned about me as having a PARTY! And YES! There MUST be a PARTY!!!!!