AnythingUrban - by R Eldridge

Black Men Blog Too... Here are a few good ones

The folllowing urban parable shares a conversation that I had with my Grandpops circa 1993, and is sponsored by a few cool Black men bloggers. The names of these noble men are located on the scroll down.

Ahem.

I just walked out of my graduation ceremony feeling kind of like a big deal. I just completed barber school - which was an important pre-requisite for any aspiring barber in Queens at the time.  Initially, I wanted to be the Best Black barber on Linden Blvd. The competition in the area was stiff so you always had to be on your 'A' game - after all, bad news spreads fast in the hood.  We worked hard to petition the city to release a small storefront that once operated as a drug house, and we were successful in our ambition. A few days before our grand opening, I decided to have a talk with Grandpops about my new venture. In sharing my ambition, I would be given a piece of advice that would shape the way that I look at life:

Steve Harvey Swag on Family Feud

The "Family Feud," yeah THAT "Family Feud" is funny again - thanks to Steve Harvey... yeah, THAT Steve Harvey. He started hosting the show just a few months ago - I honestly didn't think this show was still around - but Harvey's deadpan expressions and  persona on has many thinking that he is the best host ever.  I hear that Richard Dawson was the original host, and pretty funny himself.  Word is, no one was as funny as Dawson... until now... maybe.

You be the judge.  Need a good laugh?

Check this out... after the jump:

Her Royal Highness: Anika Noni Rose

ESSENCE.com exclusive with star of ‘The Princess and the Frog’, actress Anika Noni Rose. Rose provides great detail about the great social impact of her role as the first black Disney Princess character.

by Regina R. Robertson

For decades, our images were rarely featured in mainstream fairytales, but a new day has come. This holiday season, Anika Noni Rose makes history when she's crowned as Disney's first, Black Princess--Tiana--in 'The Princess and the Frog.' With credits spanning stage ('Caroline, or Change'), film ('Dreamgirls') and television ('The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency'), the 37-year-old Tony Award-winner is intent on keeping her good fortune rolling.

Essence.com caught up with Rose to chat about landing her dream job, seeing herself in animation and how she hopes to switch things up for her next, big role.

ESSENCE.com: What was your initial thought when you heard there was going to be a Black animated princess?
ANIKA NONI ROSE: Oh my God, I was thrilled. [Working with] Disney has been my dream, so I just focused on getting the part and when I did, I called home screaming! [laughs] There's no reason why a girl from Connecticut would end up being the first Black Disney princess.

Celebrating My First Year of Publishing...

All thanks to The Man Above for all that you are in my life.  Without you I am nothing. 

Ok, let's party.  Or should I?  Nah, I simply like to chill, reflect on the memories, the new friends, the acquaintances, the hopes and aspirations of another year of blogging.  Not to mention, I think of my mission and the unfinished business at hand. 

Honestly, I have no idea what a blogger should do to commemorate the born day.  I thought about going out, having a few drinks, get nice and buzzed... then come back to the crib and just... well, I don't know - ponder?

Why is my reputation expanding faster than the Universe?  Why does this sound familiar?

What is an awkward moment?  How does it feel?  Can I feel my tongue?

Must I live vicariously through my blog - or do I?

Stay thirsty?  Why? What does a Dos Equis taste like anyway?

Ok, no more samples of "things that I may elaborate on when I blog while drinking."  I have never blogged in a drunk stupor and I definitely wouldn't enjoy the experience - I get too analytical, and there are things that kind of make sense, but naturally, the more I think, the murkier the details become.  So instead of hanging out, I decided to lay low, watch a few basketball games, be thankful, and in my way of staying thirsty, I thought of the next 365 days of living vicariously as "The MANChild Swagga."

Everyday is a day of thanks, but today truly marks a special moment for me.  Today is a day of thanks - to you.  Thank you for spending a few minutes out of your day to read my work.

Angels: Dawn Johnson, Linda Johnson, Raquel Eldridge, Tonya D. Bradley, Amy Connor, Tia Bonham, Patricia Cesaire, AnDrea Watkins, Cassandra Kephart, Constance Wilson-Williams, Danielle White, Erin Rosemund, Glenda Shaw,  Jennifer Garfield, Kahti Bowser, Kesha Williams, Latoya Burkett, Madonna Boyd, Maria Bacellar, Victoria O'Neal, Tracey Brown, Traci Lee, Nadine Lee, Rhonda Godfrey, Rozzy Shorter, Shaunda Betts, Tamica James, Shanna Baccus, Tonia Labbe, Andrea, Jumaanah Graham, Shawnetta Jones, Trinket Lewis

Brothers In Arms: James Blagmon, Reggie Bullock, Gerard Clendenin Jr., Michael Hornsby, Sigmund Johnson, Byron Lundy, Herb, Ken Watson, Anjuan Simmons, Ormand O'Neal, Mark Brown, Randall Godfrey, Isaiah Carey, Chad Chizzle, Asar Imhotep, Yirser Ra Hotep, Wendell Worjroh, Brother Jesse Muhammad, Deric Muhammad, Brian Gratch, Francisco Brito, Dorrian Missick, ShaoDow Smith, Rob Wright, Ken Gibbs Jr. 

Blessings:  Charnellia Malone, Pleshette King, Tasha Sims, Tiffany White, Angela M. Wilson, Crystal Washington Martin, Sophie Heng, Famatta Martina, DangerMan Urban-Superhero, Iceman Baldy, Mafdet Maat, and to all of my fellow readers and followers.

I would also like to thank the crew at www.typepad.com (my blog/host provider) as well as www.startlogic.com (my domain host provider) for putting up with my lack of technical expertise.

I have so many more people to thank (if you were not mentioned... I am truly sorry). 

Nick Cannon Named Chairman of TV Network TeenNick

(via Essence.com) - Don't let Nick Cannon's baby face fool you. He's a grown-behind-man with grown-behind-responsibilities as the chairman of TEENick (formerly known as Nickelodeon). But he's not your average fuddy-duddy-white-collar dude, Cannon, who jump-started his career as a comedian, actor, producer and writer, will manage to do close-ups on camera, get busy behind the lens, and do a little Web work. ESSENCE.com caught up with Cannon, who turns 29 next month, to talk prophecy, how he's preparing for fatherhoood, and why discovering the fountain of youth works for him.