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.
Entries in Smokie Norful (1)
"LORD, I THANK YOU FOR MY LIFE!"
Smokie Norful - Dear God (Live)
It feels so good to make it this far
And I didn't think I could take it so long
There were days I wanted to quit
I said surely this is it but I held on
And I watched as so-called friends turn and walk away
It hurt so much I didn't have words to say
But even when my day turns to night and nothin' seems just right
Lord, I thank You for, for my life
For my life, Lord, I thank You
For every victory in You I've seen
And all the moments I know it was You who kept me
So I thank You for, for my life
And I watched you take my family from there to here
And when times where a lil' rough, God, I know You were near
And the moments I thought I'd fail, I was reminded of your nails
So I held on
And if I never live to see another day
There is nothin' I would change or take away
I've had so many ups that they far outweigh my downs
Lord, I thank You for my life
I realized some didn't make it
I could've been one of the ones who lost my way
And there was times, Lord, I knew I almost went crazy
But I'm still here with my life
It may not be all that I hope for
And every dream has not yet been realized
And to see Your face one day, God
I know it's all gonna be worth it
So I thank You, thank You for every mountain, every valley
God, everythin' You brought me through, thank You
I know, I know it was You
Just wanna take the time to say thank You Jesus, for my life
This song ‘bout had me driving off the 110 South as I was going to San Pedro this past Sunday. It says so much of what I feel inside as I am managing this L.A. living for which I am most grateful as it’s a good thing to work on a project you believe in. And even if – in my case – I’ve had to trek cross-country to hold onto it (and I have to dig even deeper into my pockets and my core to maintain my West Coast temporaries alongside my East Coast life back home), I know that I am covered and protected and supported by something and – surely – SOMEONE BIGGER THAN me.
The evidence is in MY LIFE: I am working – through likely February - on a team (as field and story producer) to bring Dubose Production’s “MONICA: STILL STANDING” to life (It premieres Tuesday, October 27th at 10:00 pm).
I am also EXCITED that I am a contributing reporter on the "We Dream A World With an African American President in The White House" in the current issue of ESSENCE Magazine (Starting on p. 156, brothers - several of whom I interviewed - examine how the image of Black manhood is evolving). I’m getting lots of cool feedback! Please check it out!
Meanwhile, I’m having a blast inside my blog’s partnership with Spelman College Museum of Fine Art in the promotion of “Undercover: Performing and Transforming Black Female Identities,” an original exhibition on view through December 5, 2009. (Spelman Museum Tour) As a Morehouse Man, I consider this collaboration with my 'sister alma mater' a total honor.
The exhibit 'Undercover' (detailed in the attached documents) examines the social implications of race, gender, and disguise. And the Museum emphasizes works by and about women of the African Diaspora (and well-known, mid-career, and emerging artists are a part of this exhibit - detailed in the attached documents).
But to put some POP in the effort, the marketing team sought me out to ask some CELEBRITIES and FRIENDS in my social network (and representatives of CELEBRITIES and FRIENDS in my social network) some questions - the responses of which I’ll be sprinkling into my blog next week… as well as the exhibit’s website.
Look for fun responses from Spelman celebs like my girl Bridget Bland (of “Harlem Heights” fame) and TV actress Sharmell Sullivan Huffman;
and others like NBC Digital Correspondent Mara Schiavocampo; soul singer Ledisi;
style expert Michaela Angela Davis; DIVA Sheryl Lee Ralph; and many more. BY THE WAY, WHO IS YOUR ALTER EGO? 
Mariah Carey - ribbon (studio Version)
It's only been 20 good minutes since I kissed you
Come back boo, I miss you
Wish I had 20 million hours to caress you
And undress you, to be continued
Boy you, you don't know how it feels when you whisper in my ear
Boy you, you give my body chills whenever you are near
And boy I got your lovin' on my mind
I got your lovin' on my mind
You got me wrapped up, packed up
Ribbon with a bow on it
Sometimes we argue and we fight
But they better know that that's my baby
You might even think he cute
But everybody knows that I'm his lady
Every time you see us, we super fly
So proud he's by my side
He knows I'm ride or die
You don't know how we roll
Holla at your people
Boy you, you don't know how it feels when you whisper in my ear
Boy you, you give my body chills whenever you are near
Got ribbon with a bow on it baby
Boy you don't even know the things you do
I could spend my whole life with you
I got your lovin' on my mind
Baby I could spend my life with you
It's been 20 good minutes since I kissed you
Come back boo I miss you
Okay, so Ant played this new Mariah chestnut from her “Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel” and – like Janet’s “With U” from “20 Y.O.” – he’s declared this "our song". Of course, the crier that I am, the tears poured down my cheeks as I took him to the airport last week when he was here for DIVAS: SIMPLY SINGING. (Truthfully this long distance doesn’t feel like it’s getting better. But now we have something to look forward to as I am going home for my birthday and Thanksgiving before returning to L.A. to complete the two months of post-production on MONICA).
In the meantime, we do what we can to stay amused respectively. 
Last week, my dear friend Zabrina (BET PR) called me in the 11th hour with a ticket to attend The Fox Reality Channel's 2009 REALLY Awards - chockfull of reality TVs best - including nominees and presenters Tiny & Toya - from the Dubose production family of which I'm apart these days a la "Monica: Still Standing" and "Frankie & Neffe".
Also in attendance: Vivica A. Fox (host); Paris Hillton; Hugh Hefner; Claudia Jordan; Ray J; Hammer; Antonio Sabata; American Idol's 'bikini girl'; Nikki Hilton; Kim Kardashian; ATL Housewife Kim; Aaron Carter; Eric Roberts; Lorenzo Lamas; Melissa Rivers; Lance Bass; and more! After party was at AREA in West Hollywood.
Ant got to see PRECIOUS – a sneak peek of which I plan to see in the coming days here in L.A. Ant says it brought him chills and tears… and still haunts him throughout his days since he saw it. He says Mo’Nique should – for sure – win the Oscar.
My friends – new and old - have been there for me over these last days here in L.A.:
Got to connect with high school best friend Maurice Marable recently at Four Seasons (Beverly Hills). He was in town directing the new campaign for the new season of HBO series “Big Love”. Turns out he also directed Monica's campaign for BET. We are collaborating and didn't know it (since the content producing team is different from the ad campaign folks is even different from the crew that does the title sequence, who I just found out is my AUC brother Randy). We LOVE the synergy though! LOL!... and of course, the chance for Maurice and me to catch up as we're still quite close, but don't see each other often enough with our respective busy-ness.
Afterwards, connected with friends Brian, Li-Ling, and J for Fashion Week party at The O Hotel in Downtown L.A. And did I mention that Brian accidentally dropped my camera? Soon to be replaced. Meanwhile, this file photo of Maurice and me will have to do. http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/3/4/-weve-come-a-long-way-baby.html
And in the wake of a stressful Friday (date changes on L.A. project and assignment tweaks), my friends Brian and Kelly called me off the cliff and out (on them) - starting with Zanzibar in Santa Monica. 
Then, friends Derek & Keith asked us to join them at Dragonfly. And from there, Denny's (after Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles was closed). GOOD FRIENDS (and sponsors) can protect us from the damage a fall can do.
From that moment, friends Derek and Keith invited Brian and me to a rooftop set in Downtown L.A. yesterday. Good folks. Good food. Afterwards, Derek and I capped night off - briefly - in WEHO.
Another spot to which he took me is La Velvet Margarita Cantina. On this night, I jaunted over to Tony & Scott's place to taste Scott's father's pound cake & Tony's red velvet cake. Love my friends for providing me cheap and/or sponsored comforts as I manage my East Coast/West Coast situation.
And to cap off this most recent weekend, many headed to Brian's San Pedro digs for a cookout (and more football! LOL!). And then, Derek, Keith, and I enjoyed an evening at THE ABBEY – all in a weekend.
http://www.youtube.com/user/greattime007#p/u/11/mDVK-4tET4M
Everybody look around
'Cause there's a reason to rejoice you see
Everybody come out
And let's commence to singing joyfully
Everybody look up
And feel the hope that we've been waiting for
Everybody's glad
Because our silent fear and dread is gone
Freedom, you see, has got our hearts singing so joyfully
Just look about
You owe it to yourself to check it out
Can't you feel a brand new day?
Everybody be glad
Because the sun is shining just for us
Everybody wake up
Into the morning into happiness
Hello world
It's like a different way of living now
And thank you world
We always knew that we'd be free somehow
In harmony
And show the world that we've got liberty
It's such a change
For us to live so independently
Freedom, you see, has got our hearts singing so joyfully
Just look about
You owe it to yourself to check it out
Can't you feel a brand new day?
Well, it should be no news that President Obama is being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize! Go Obama! Yayyy Peace!
Since my Diana was the featured performer at the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Norway last year (Diana Ross - Supremes Medley live at the Nobel ...), of course I’ve been wondering who would be the featured entertainment this year.
Ross has a show ready as she just performed in Amsterdam for two sold-out shows (30,000-seat arena) for the Symphonica in Rosso. 
This spectacular is an annual concert series that years prior featured Dutch artists Marco Borsato and Paul de Leeuw;
and her former and fellow Motown mate and duet partner Lionel Richie.
The show was BIG – featuring many costume changes; the 40-piece Symphonica in Rosso-orchestra;
dancers; 
and Diana’s amazing voice and catalog – including Netherland favorites like “Ease on Down The Road”.
And one of my favorites: “Brand New Day” (also an homage to her ‘Wiz’ co-star Michael Jackson) -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQWF_CZnSP8
.
http://www.youtube.com/user/greattime007#p/u/11/mDVK-4tET4M
Meanwhile, “CALL TO THE OBAMAS? MISS ROSS is workin’ it… and notwithstanding a diaper change to her new grandbaby boy… could serve the world yet again with a sparkling performance of Nobel worthiness…”.
Just saying…
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in DIANA ROSS, MARIAH CAREY, MONICA, Obama, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, Precious, SPELMAN COLLEGE, Smokie Norful, The Wiz
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