all over

This is a schizophrenic post.

First, I really want to embed this slide show about "hip-hop muppets" from the The Urban Daily, but I can't figure out how to do it. So, here's a (cut and paste) link:

http://theurbandaily.com/special-features/gallery-hip-hop-muppets/

Check it out. It's funny.

I haven't updated my blog in a while, and the reason I haven't is because I've been very busy this quarter: I'm a teaching assistant for a class on some of the hardest modernist authors (I read As I Lay Dying one week, and Absalom Absalom the next week), I'm working on my third novel, attempting to revise my second novel, and still doing promo for my first novel. I traveled twice this fall for my book and once to attend the best.wedding.EVER: hi El and Lo! And on top of all this, I'm currently applying for jobs for next year. That is to say: this fall has been rough.

Anyhow, I know it's older, but I wanted to post the preview for Chris Rock's Good Hair.



I also wanted to post a (cut and paste) link to an article, originally posted at the Miami Herald, that refers to Good Hair, which I haven't had the opportunity to see yet. (I think I'll try to catch it at the Lumiere tomorrow).

http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard-pitts/story/1309381.html

I've worn my hair natural for around nine years now, much to the shame and dismay of many folks in my family; it's nice to see a film about natural hair in the black community be made, and also see the natural hair movement gaining steam. When I began growing my hair out nine years ago, there was no movement. The shame of it is that one of my white friends, my beloved Sarah, introduced me to the world of natural haircare blogs this year; I had no idea that they even existed. Now, I spend hours procrastinating while I peruse natural hair blogs and tutorials online. Lol. Anyhow, if you're at all interested in seeing Good Hair, read Leonard Pitt Jr.'s article. This is the most lovely paragraph, I think.

I am your brother, your father, your husband and your son. I've seen you in church with big hats on, giving children the evil eye. And at the jail on visiting day, shoring up that wayward man. And at the bus stop in the rain on your way to work. And at the dining table with pen and paper, working miracles of money. When I was a baby, you nursed me, when we were children, I chased you through the house; when we were dating, I missed half the movie, stealing sugar from you. I saw you born; I took you to your prom; I glowed with pride when you went off to school. I have married you and buried you. I love your smile. A million times, you took my breath away.

You are the rock and salvation of our people, the faith that remains when all hope is gone. So if it's about the need to be beautiful, maybe it's time somebody told you:

You already are. You always were.


It makes me tear up each time I read it.

And I know you've probably heard about Precious as well, if only because Mariah Carey has been doing publicity for it while only focusing on how "ugly" she looked in the role. Mariah, that's what the rest of us call "walking out of the house without applying makeup." You should try it sometime. Anyhow, here's a preview for Precious as well since I'm blabbing on and on about movies and inner and outer beauty instead of working on my mini-lecture I have to give on Hurston next Thursday. Eek!





And now, since I'm slowly healing from the flu, I'm about to lay up on the sofa on this action-packed Friday night and drink warm apple cider while watching basic cable; this means toggling between the Discovery channel, Cartoon Network, and old movies. I promise I'll write again, sooner rather than later.