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 TV Land (2)

warmth of good people

It’s been SO COLD this Winter here in NYC and all around, few things can get me out of the house! Well, maybe more than a few things. But the warmth of my loved ones and friends has been appreciated! MEANWHILE, patiently awaiting SPRING!

KARAOKE

Y'ALL KNOW I LOVE KARAOKE… and that can keep me out for a little bit as long as I’m in the warmth of a karaoke suite! LOL! I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SOON ANNOUNCING A PLACE WE CAN ALL GET OUR "ALL STAR KARAOKE" ON! STAY TUNED... #spring2014

BOWLING

Ant and I came out of hibernation one night to bowl with friends Jamar Dunn, Ernest Maynor, Ryan T Hall, and many more!

BRUNCH

A recent Sunday brunch with my nephew Herman L. Riley III and Anthony Harper made for good times!

ART

My girl Ruthy Valdez's new art series, "A Stroll Through the Mind's Backyard" at #harlem speakeasy 67 Orange Street got us out the house one night. Come by and see what the "bling" is about. #artlife

BIRTHDAY

The gang and I got to recently celebrate our Sidra Smith at La Bodega 47 Social Club - the old Native Restaurant, our once-karaoke spot. A host of other dear friends were in the house to celebrate the day Tasha Smith and Sidra Smith came into the WORLD! WHAT A BLAST we HAD! Anthony Harper, Ernest Maynor, TATA, Jamar Dunn, TATA, Carl Nelson, Mara Schiavocampo, Tommie Porter, Jacque Reid, Penwah Phynjuar – ALL were in the house! And was that MICA from Bravo TV's BLOOD, SWEAT, and HEELS! She's been a friend for a long time! We also had to lift Sid up for her NAACP Image Awards win for Free Angela: BEST DOCUMENTARY! #freeangela #weloveyousidrasmith

NIECY

Ant and I were excited to join Niecy Nash at The Crosby Hotel in SOHO NYC for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and the chance to chat her up about THE SOUL MAN's season three - including her excitement about the HIT show's LIVE premiere! Niecy currently stars in TV Land's THE SOUL MAN (which rebroadcasts on my recurring client BET's air. She stars with Cedric "The Entertainer" and Wesley Jonathan). Niecy also appears on HBO's "Getting On." In addition to these two TV projects, she also released a book last year entitled "It's Hard to Fight Naked" which touches upon marriage and provides keys to staying happy and keeping the spark alive. Niecy is also proud of the 30 lbs shes shed having her looking fit, trim and fierce! Season 3 of The Soul Man premieres on March 26, after Hot in Cleveland. PLEASE MAKE SURE you tune in for special live episode with the lovely Niecy Nash and the very talented Cedric the Entertainer. #TVLand #SOULMANLive

GERALDO

With my first NYC boss Geraldo Rivera in 1995! And after leaving CNBC and Rivera Live in 1997, Geraldo Rivera and I meet again in NYC! GREAT REUNION! Will tell you more when I can...

DANCING

Who is watching Billy Dee Williams and MISS NENE on DANCING WITH THE STARS? BREAK A LEG, FOLKS!

Posted on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 03:20PM by

THE LIFE OF RILEY in Billy Dee Williams, Dancing With The Stars, NAACP Image Awards, Nene Leakes, Niecy Nash, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, TV Land, TV Land LIVE, The Soul Man |

happily thankful

HAPPILY THANKFUL

By way of our mutual BFFs Carl Nelson and Sidra Smith, Tichina Arnold has become an uber-cool friend, often chronicled in "...The Life of Riley..." - from casual hangs to L.A. sightings to the night she joined us at Native Restaurant for "All-Star Karaoke Thursday Night" (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/tag/tichina-arnold). Whenever we all connect, it's a good time! With some of Tichina's own fam in tow and my BFF Ern in the mix, we all gathered at Sid's place for an impromptu, day-after-Thanksgiving feast - comprised of delightful dishes Sid had prepared the day prior and lovingly warmed up for us to enjoy. Seasoned to perfection, the menu included turkey, dressing, collard greens, yams, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato pie, and more! For entertainment, Tichina gave our ears a sneak-peek of her new music (for a CD on which she's been working and plans to release - maybe independently). I've always been a fan of Tichina, THE SINGER. As she writes most of the material, I can now say I'm a fan of Tichina, THE SINGER/SONGWRITER! Meanwhile, Tichina, THE ACTRESS, is busy as ever ---- celebrating TV Land's acquiring 11 more episodes of her hit sitcom (with THE NANNY's Fran Drescher): "Happily Divorced" (www.tvland.com/shows/happily-divorced). So, Season 2 - which premieres next Wednesday, November 28th (with a guest star turn by Joan Collins) - will now run for 24 episodes. ANOTHER NIGHT during THANKSGIVING weekend, we found ourselves in Brooklyn at SOCO Restaurant (www.socobk.com/) and we got to hang out with girlfriend Vilay and her beau. A little karaoke afterwards at DUETS 53 rounded that night out. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, we are GRATEFUL to dear friends Danielle and Bernard who threw a MOST-DELIGHTFUL THANKSGIVING DINNER – menu including: Marinated Roasted Turkey; Baked Glazed Ham (a la Ernest Maynor); Red Beans & Rice; Caribbean Mac & Cheese with Smokey Chipotle Peppers; Cornbread Stuffing with Andouille Sausage & Aromatic Vegetables; Candied Yams; Potato Salad; Sauteed String Beans with Shallots & Pancetta; Spicy Apple Cranberry Relish (and my favorite Cranberry Sauce from the can). Cocktails included Torched Cherry Sangria and Homemade Bajan Rum Punch. DESSERT included Fresh Fruit Tart, Carrot Cake, Sweet Potato Pie, and a Red Velvet Cake (for my birthday: SURPRISE!). Bernard’s parents; cousin; and aunt were in the mix as well… and we had a blast!

PIANO LESSON

With Chicago buddies Jaci and Kelli in tow, we were HONORED to be in the presence – once again – of Tony Award winner RUBEN SANTIAGO-HUDSON. He's Director of August Wilson's "The Piano Lesson" in NYC. (Shout out to my friend, Walk Tall Girl Productions/Black Theater Online’s Marcia Pendelton (http://walktallgirlproductions.com/). She made sure we were all in the house as she works on the marketing/audience team for this show and many shows – Broadway and off-Broadway). Ruben directs August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson”… and we got to enjoy a wine & cheese/photo-op moment with him (for personal catch up); but prior, a discussion between Ruben and Vinnie Bagwell (the sculptor who created the art that is on the piano) took place…and they each talked about their process, the history and themes behind the sculptures, Ruben's personal connection with August Wilson and SO MUCH MORE! I’ve hung out with Ruben a time or few in New York City – including a run-in at a Halle Berry movie premiere (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2010/12/1/i-recall-the-scenes-that-never-die.html) and I interviewed him at the American Stroke Association’s benefit at The Apollo last year (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2011/5/15/nothing-ventured-nothing-gained.html). He’s always a JOY and ready to tell amazing stories – on and off the stage. And now that “Piano Lesson” has been extended to January 13th, you MUST check it out yet another of his directorial masterpieces: http://www.signaturetheatre.org/tickets/production.aspx?pid=2371.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Toasts all around for our 7 YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Got one more toast in with Chicago friends Jaci and Kelli. From there, on the actual day, we laid low at home before heading out to toast with friends Carl Nelson, Andy Diaz, and others at NABJ buddy Taj Tsonga’s place followed by a New Ro HIGH-FIVE at A Loft with my Amazing Grace Nichole; Troy; Michelle Sanchez-Boyce; Nelson Boyce; Cynthia Burgos; Elijah; Dawn; Tracey; and the rest of the crew! We even snuck in a late night/early morning Amy Ruth meal. Then, Sunday brunch (and lots more toasting) with The Porters…and MISS NINA! Shout out to Rakia for the "Cosby Show" nod! CUTE SHIRT!