A Day In "The Life Of Riley"

WELCOME to "The Life of Riley" which will include periodic chronicles of pop culture and possibilities that flow out of Patrick L. Riley's day. That's me!!! Through blogging (and soon some other technological features on which I'll keep you posted as they launch), I will pull experiences from my busy life to entertain and inspire all of you. Through this site, I will share my observations and insights.

Some features to look forward to:

1.) "PATRICK'S POP UP(DATES)" will feature stories from pop culture, music, theater, fashion, and the entertainment industry at large.

2.) "The Life of Riley" will also introduce a "take-a-look-at-your-life" section (READ: sort of an advice column), where I will help readers come up with their own questions and answers around what "ways of being" are working (or not working) to have them acheive their respective goals and live their best lives. This section is called "WHO YOU BE?".

3.) Additonally, there will be a free-flowing, organic section called "TESTIFY" from which I will pull from my own life's journey to share and hopefully inspire. Some of the fare may be new musings and experiences. Other times, I may pull from my journals and past sharings to shed light on some uncomfortable truths that I've experienced and that may perhaps play a role in healing someone else's wounds as the real-life experience did for me. From my experience of covering 9/11 as a freelance journalist to courageously coming out (as gay) to my family, "TESTIFY" promises to move those who choose to read it.

4.) And a section titled "PR" (like my initials, but also like "public relations") will include press clips from any coverage I get.

5.) And anytime pictures or video can support an entry (in the blog, and perhaps in the subsequent podcasts, my space, and website), those visuals will keep things aesthetically enrolling. That section will be called "MY TUBE".

PLAYING TO THE POP IN POSSIBILITIES!

Patrick L. Riley

Entries in Savannah (6)

DESIGN OF A DECADE

DECADE ENDER

Prior to attending the Erykah Badu listening party a couple of weeks ago, NBC Digital Correspondent and friend Mara Schiavocampo invited me to 30 Rockefeller Center to offer on-camera pop culture analysis to a piece she was working on for NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams (on-line) and MSNBC. (You’ll recall, Mara had me weigh in on Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama when – in Iowa – he and the now-First-Lady Michelle Obama expressed their bond via THE POUND: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXc6x5JlJuw. That piece was the most-watched video on MSN for the lion’s share of 2008. I take credit for it. But perhaps my buddy Obama had something to do with it as well.). Since then, I’ve been invited back a couple of times – including this currrent decade ender piece that will be running on MSNBC this week: all day New Year's Eve (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pYKZBjEx40). I am blessed to more-and-more be able to bring my on-camera/personality center stage – including the recent Disney event I hosted which introduced “The Princess & The Frog” to the National Association of Black Journalists for the first time: http://216.117.188.141/PRiley/NABJDisneyMagic.wmv http://216.117.188.141/PRiley/NABJDisneyMagic.wmv.

HOLIDAY PARTY TRAIN

But I have more current things to reflect on than the whole decade. My long-time friend Carl convinced me to come out and play as we haven’t hung out in a minute. It was the holiday party for my favorite boutique N, which is now in a new location on Lenox Avenue (between 118^th and 119^th Streets). Since Ant had left for Denver to be with his family and had already packed, I figured one more social round in NYC before I leave to be with my fam in Savannah for Christmas couldn’t hurt. With toy in hand (as it was a benefit), I pulled myself together and am glad I did. It was for charity), I went into the city to see some folks I hadn't seen since returning from L.A. (including Carl). Not only was it good to see Carl but it was GREAT to meet his sister Sharon’s baby boy Nelson who we’ve nicknamed “The Miracle Baby”. Also, my L.A. earth angel (now-back-in-Harlem) Sidra was in the house along with Murphy. And it wouldn’t be the “N” party without the faces behind the brand: Lenn, Larry, Nikoa, and my buddy Jamar. Also in the house: my Morehouse brother Michael James who owns the grooming line Frederick Benjamin: http://www.frederickbenjamin.com; Devon Christopher, Harlem entrepreneur: Publisher of BLEU Magazine and co-owner of Atomic Wings - also in Harlem. I just celebrated its 1st Anniversary (with Ant, Brian, and Kelli): http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2009/12/21/and-this-christmas-will-be-a-very-special-christmas.html; we also stopped by the home of Carl's old neighbor Mike Bianco for espresso (imported from Italy). And The N holiday party after party was also in Harlem at 67 Orange Street bar/lounge. This is Kevin Reed, a fan of my blog before we actually met a few months back. Awesome guy! Patti LaBelle's renowned music director/pianist John Stanley was also in attendance... and it was great to meet him after admiring his work for many years. Nice fellow.

CHRISTMAS EVE

And even when the night glitters, the toilet can get stopped up and, hey, it doesn’t smell like roses. But my super Danny came to the rescue on Christmas Eve in the wake of my much-later-night-than-I-intended at the holiday parties. This, as I'm pulling it together to get to the airport in just over one hour. YIKES! Though Ant packed for me, I was reminded of things I didn't want to forget i.e. my IPOD, chargers, toiletries, etc. Plus, I wanted to pare down some of his selects with the luggage specs in mind – from check-in fees to weight. Based on what was in my pocket, I wanted to ensure I could carry on. Once all that was done, my driver/Godchild's father Owen was awaiting to take me to the airport. Plus, I wanted to give him my gifts for Godchild Owen Angelo. But I got the Christmas gift: Owen Angelo (and his mom Sandy) came along for the ride. Owen Angelo was so happy to receive his gifts and gave me lots of love and hugs for his Disney goodies.

HOME SWEET HOME! SAVANNAH

Once home in Savannah (after a layover in Charlotte: CHEAPEST FLIGHT), my nephew picked me up and took me to his parents' place. Though now a FORTUNE 500 exec (soon to call NYC home after he graduates my alma mater Morehouse in May), my nephew is still my go-for and chauffer. He provided me his laptop to go over some notes in my inbox. Plus, he warmed his father (my brother) and me up some of their leftovers (including RED kool aid). From there, I did get home to my Dad and his wife Diana’s home (which too is my childhood home). And it’s always nice to be home in the bed and basking in all things nostalgic.

CHRISTMAS WEEKEND

The pictures are gonna have to speak the 1,000 words as Savannah was humping and pumping for my three days there:http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=134128&id=662073736&l=97f21ad04a.

Diana prepared an awesome Southern breakfast on Christmas morning.

Then, we opened gifts once my sister arrived.

Though knocking on 40, I’m still “the baby” and love to open gifts and get something. This year, ‘cash’ was ‘king’… and much needed. But it was also great to see the joy on Dad & Diana's faces as they opened their gifts.

My late mother Queen Elizabeth Bellinger Riley’s side of the family always gathers at her only sibling/sister Mary Lee’s house or – in recent years – the home of Mary Lee’s daughter/my cousin Felecia’s house.

As tradition goes, we interview new boyfriends/girlfriends… and in this case… fiances – including Felecia’s baby girl/Navy woman Kea’s new man Roc who passed my interview with flying colors.

They are getting married New Year’s Day (right after the strike of midnight). CONGRATS!

Also, Felecia’s oldest child Demaris (Dee Dee, we call her) and her husband Chris now have a little girl Meagan.

And she just loved her cousin Patrick’s “The Princess & The Frog” gift.

I also gave an incarnation of the royal gift package to cousin Bozo (Kejuanna’s daughter Leilani).

And Auntee Mary Lee was waxing and relaxing in her new recliner which her kids Lecia & Tabby bought her.

We all gathered at her home the next day to clear the way for the chair.

It was so exciting to go through the old pictures and documents and uncover awesome things about our family history.

After that wonderful stop, we went to my Auntee Goldie’s house. She is my Dad’s sister and holds the fort for the Riley family. She made sure I got my “chitterlings” on… and they were delicious as always. (DON’T JUDGE ME! LOL!).

Given my Dad’s brother Uncle Bobby just passed away and many of us gathered for his homegoing a couple of months ago, it was great to be together again. We got to fill in the rest of the family who couldn’t attend the funeral on how special the ceremony was (and Uncle Bobby’s life and influence in Pontiac, MI). After all, that milestone reminded all of us why we should be proud to call ourselves R-I-L-E-Y. And while Daddy and Diana went to his high school reunion gala (Woodville Tompkins), I got to hang out with my other family, THE MAYNORS (the clan from which my New Jersey neighbor and best friend since 7^th grade Ern hails). Ern and his siblings invited me out to hang with them. I’ve always been the 6^th – slightly darker (before color correction) – sibling in the MAYNOR mix.

… and now I’m home. Still need to land some steady work but am trusting the top of the year to introduce some opportunities. Plus, for inspiration (as my multi-hyphenated talents go), I have:

* My girlfriend JACQUE REID who is one of the co-stars on VH1's reality show

"Lets Talk About Pep" [The 'urban Sex and the City']. SEE THE TRAILER HERE: http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1628583&vid=466420

Most importantly, tune in to the premiere on January 11th at 10:30pm on VH1!

* My girlfriend RICHELLE TAYLOR who has written her book “DISCOVERING WHO YOU REALLY ARE” – a book for African American women with universal appeal for all as the search for self-discovery goes. www.communitylinksmagazine.com

* My diva SHERYL LEE RALPH who brings us "singin' and swingin' into the 2010" at Upright Cabaret! The Film, Television and Broadway star SHERYL LEE RALPH (Sister Act 2, The Flintstones, OBC of Dreamgirls) brings three rare solo cabaret performances (including one on her birthday). She takes you on a musical journey of songs you will love from Broadway show-stoppers to R&B including songs from Dreamgirls! Ms. Ralph has captivated audiences for many years and has used her talent to raise money and awareness for HIV/AIDS related charities. "Simply Sheryl Lee" is your chance to get up close and personal with this smart, sexy and brilliantly talented songstress as she continues to raise money for the Diva (AIDS) Foundation.
Click for Tickets - New Year's Eve with Sheryl Lee Ralph...