Has it really been that long since my last blog?

Four months have gone by and I haven't written a word. I have been spending time inking between blue lines but not much work has left the confines of my composition book. Sigh. In due time, they will.

The circus that is Ghettoheat is still stifling my creativity but I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I don't know what the reason is but trust that when the smokes clears, I'll be smiling from ear to ear.

My first year of Grad School was a blast. Always have a back up plan. I was a psych major in undergrad for a reason! Now, I'll be taking that degree combined with my need to save the world and get into counseling. Specifically, a school counselor. Too many children are being abused by the medical society! Just because they may not act or learn as quickly as their peers, they are labeled as "disabled" and doped up. The doping up of our children is what has led to the dumbing down of America. I am eagerly awaiting my first day of school. :-)

As for HARDER's sequel. It will see the light of day someday.

La Nuit Des Jeunes 2009

This translates into "The Night of The Young People." I've been dying to go to this event ever since I first heard about this past December. I had never seen live Haitian bands perform and was thoroughly excited. I thought it would be a pleasant experience and a night to remember.


It was definitely a night to remember. I was so disappointed! So you can thoroughly understand why, let me give you a little background info. I am Haitian-American. I was raised with Haitian traditions and sensible values. One of the things that I was taught as a young girl was to always be a lady. Whenever I went out, I was to dress for the occasion and be "fre tankou freida."


Does that sound familiar? Was I the last one to be raised like this? What happened to the art of getting dressed? It has literally gone to the dogs! My goodness. The "ladies" at the show last this past Saturday were despicable. Well, at least 95% of them. They came dressed like cheap whores! It was a cool, rainy night in the city. I'm estimating that the temperature was somewhere in the upper 40s. These "ladies" came dressed in the shortest skirts, dresses and shorts (yes shorts in that type of weather). They didn't wear stockings or tights and wore cheap, high-heeled shoes that revealed their disgusting feet. Of course I felt out of place in my tunic and tights ensemble with my flat, suede calf high boots! Mind you, I had originally planned to wear my cocktail dress but feared that I may have been overdressed. It was unbelievable the way these "ladies" presented themselves. Maybe this event should have been called "La Nuit Des Jenès." Then I would have known what to expect and stayed home.


As the night wore on, there was an unmistakable stench in the air on the dancefloor and in the ladies room. It was the smell of hair that hadn't been washed in weeks (weaves), body odour (both the musty and fishy variety) and cheap perfume. On my way home, I still smelled of Chanel Chance, White Linen body powder and Jean Naté even though I had been dancing the whole time that I was there. Come on ladies, is it really that hard to take care of your body? I personally think that if you're going to go commando, please make sure that you can do so in way that doesn't upset anyone's olfactory system. I never understood going commando anyway! Had I known I was going to get flashed by the girls who were pulled on stage, I wouldn't have been so close. Rey, please, pick nicer ladies next time!

Speaking of dancing, does anybody actually "dance" anymore? I like gyrating my hips just as much as the other person but I prefer a two step with complicated turns. Bolero, Salsa, Merengue, bachata...you name it! I love dancing. You'd think with the popularity of shows such as "Dancing with The Stars" and "So You Think You Can Dance" there would be an interest in the craft. I guess the masses prefer to bump and grind on the dancefloor.


As for the men, they weren't any better. The Du-Rags, dirty sneakers and timbs. I was expecting slacks and shoes. Maybe a suit and matching fedora...but I guess that's not a la mode anymore. I remember when my dad had get togethers, everyone came dressed to the nines. I was expecting too much.


I didn't come for the ladies or the men. I came for the performers. Like I said, I never saw a Haitian band perform live. I really wanted to see Kreyol La, T-Vice and Carimi. Kreyol La had an awesome set. Joseph Zenny Jr. (Kreyol La's lead singer) is just as arrogant and conceited as I thought he would be but it works. I totally understand why he's a vagabond for life! I really can't blame him either. They did not disappoint.


However, TVice sorta did. They came dressed like they just hopped off the plane. T-shirts and jeans? Are you serious? I've seen pictures of other performances where these guys looked more presentable. When I saw videos of Tabou Combo and Skah Shah performing, they were always dressed in shiny, matching suits. No I wasn't expecting shiny suits (remember, the Lox said "no more shiny suits") but I was expecting matching, handsome outfits. At least Kreyol La looked like they put some effort into what they were going to wear.

I cannot comment on Carimi. I couldn't stay for their performance. The crowd had grown considerably and the boys were becoming touchy feely. That was my cue that it was time to leave.

All in all I did have a blast. I love music. All kinds of music. However, the music that is my culture is what I love the most. After last Saturday, I have a renowned appreciation for Haitian music. The drums, guitars, synthesizers...my goodness, they all sound so good live. The amazing lyrics are just the icing on the cake. I look forward to the next event and I now know what to expect when I arrive. Somewhat.

This is MY opinion. If you like acting, or being, a jenès then that's on Y-O-U. Seeing how the ladies dressed will NOT make me change the way I dress. So, MY opinion shouldn't make you change the way you dress.

SHA

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have to say thank you to everyone that takes the time out to post a comment on Amazon.com, Myspace, send me emails and just show me love. It feels really, really good. I'm still stuck in this bad contract with Ghettoheat. I'm still not happy with them. Yet, I am still writing because of readers like y-o-u. I can sincerely appreciate the comments (both good and bad) because it shows that HARDER is still hitting. The sequel will be released upon my release from GH,

Some people do not care about urban lit. Some people do not care about people like me (whatever that means for you). I don't care about anything that does not faciliate in progress. Comments don't make me or break me but they surely gauge where I stand. My most recent comment:

This book is the bomb, March 4, 2009

By	Carolyn Ralph "Black mafia princess" - See all my reviews

I love this book so much Sha wrote a book so good i never wanted to put it down. I can't wait for the sequel, however until it is release i will continue to read this book over and over again.
-original link: http://www.amazon.com/Harder-SHA/product-reviews/0974298247/ref=cm_cr_dp_synop?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending#RGR6YCAFJ74GT

If you were me, how would reading that make you feel? Can you see why I am confident in my craft? Can you understand why my talent is tenacious? Some people want me to apologize for my confidence but I bet if I were a boy they'd be loving me even more. SMH....

I'm not in the business of entertaining people. I write because I have to purge my head of the millions of words and ideas that dance within it. If I don't, my head just might explode. I write pieces that I find interesting. If one person, only one other person, finds my material interesting what more could I ask for?

A million thanks to every single person who has supported my works.

ONELUV
SHA

Another Day, Another Dollar: Vents of a Starving Writier

Yes, another day and another dollar...that's not in my wallet! Damn it.

The recession is in full swing yet the richer still are getting rich and the poor...well the poor are beyond getting poorer. Obama did say that it would get worse before it got better. How much worse can it get? NY state is already "borrowing" money from the feds to support their over stressed unemployment system. Ditto for California, who by the way cannot afford to give out state refunds. Total bummer.

*Sigh* Today's vent? I received my royalty statement today and it was not pretty. ghettoheat "claims" that I'm back in the red. Oh how could it be? It's not much (like the previously horrific numbers) but still it means no check for my craft. Not that I was expecting one after we accidentally bumped into one another on Flatbush Ave. I will revisit that at some other time. btw...HI TONY :-)

Perhaps the economy will pick back up and I will receive a nice juicy check in three months. Or the sequel to HARDER will be released. Rebels are so unpredictable...yet predictable to the keen and discerning mind. What's a lady to do? Tsk Tsk Tsk

While money isn't everything, it keeps a roof over my head, clothes on back, food in my pantry and oil in my tank! I have a paper to edit; but I will leave you with this - savages do what they can, rebels do what they want. Big difference. When this recession is finally over, it will be very exciting to see who's still standing.....hmmmmmm

ONELUV
SHA

The Madmans's Beloved

The Madman's Beloved

I am the Madman's Beloved,

He keeps a keen eye on me at all times

Wishing that his world would become mine

He's not sexy yet he's somewhat handsome

A deep intellectual especially adept at verbal venom

Sometimes, I just try to ignore him

He somehow keeps watch over me

Years ago I thought that he was over me

But he only pretended to be

I don't even know why I'm his beloved

There's no trust or anything more than brotherly love

You know, the one that's extended to every human being

For simply being a human being

Yet he's fixated on the subject of me

And no, this isn't a moment of conceit or vanity

I'm just exposing, to the world, the depths of my calamity

In hopes it'll prevent tragedy

Sometimes I feel him stalking me

Yes, it feels like somebody's watching me

And my heart tells me that it's he

He promises to disappear

Only to reappear in a few days or weeks

And sometimes, I get weak

Disillusioned by his faux charm

Seduced with words so sweet

I start to think; maybe I should give him a chance

Maybe he's not a madman, maybe I just misunderstand

But that thought for long, doesn't last

So quickly he reverts back

He tries using intimidation as a means of persuasion

But, it's hard to intimidate someone that's not listening to what you're saying

He intentionally tries to break me down, I feel like I'm cursed

His evil, vicious words have ceased to hurt

I don't even take to his mind games the same

He's a Madman, that'll never change

Somebody told me to watch myself

Before I find life itself ebbing away at his hands

How could that ever be so? He's just one man

Who has become so intellectual, he borders on sheer insanity

And somehow I've managed to be his beloved

Because he acts like he only has eyes for me…

I am the Madman's beloved

Hear my plea…….

Harder is more than just a novel, it's a way of life

Harder is more than just a novel, it's a way of life.

In HARDER, we find our jaded heroine trying to survive by any means
necessary. Though her eyes may be on the wrong type of prize, her
tenacity and will power are to be applauded. Kai fights for what she believes in.

Harder is more than just a novel, it's a way of life. We too endure
the constant battles of egos, will power, etc. At times, the fight can
be internal but mostly it's external. Darwin said it the best "only
the fit survive." The fit know how to adapt and change with the times.

How does one survive life in this concrete jungle, where egos clash and
everybody wants to be numero uno? Haters and imaginary players have a
specific role. That is trying their best at preventing stars from
achieving greatness.

In order to overcome adversity, you have to come HARDER.

When the best laid plans fall apart almost instantly, you have to work HARDER

To execute plans flawlessly, you have to plan HARDER

When people laugh at your dreams, you have to dream HARDER

To make your dreams a reality, you have to try HARDER

When there's nothing but pure trouble and strife…

You have to be HARDER; it's a way of life!

Newtown's law of relativity says for every force, there's an equal
but opposing force. For everybody trying to do their thing, there's a
hater waiting to do what they do best. That is, bring you down in which ever manner they can.

"That makes me a Goddess, the one who rocks the hardest." The Lady
of Rage "Get with da wickedness"

Oh and by the way, Industry rule number four thousand and eighty doesn't only apply to record companies...

What is the opposite of an "Ice Age"?

What is the opposite of an "Ice Age"? There is no antonym for "ice" so let's call it an "Igneous Age" since igneous rock is produced by intense heat.

Scientist say that the period we're in is called a Holocene period. It's the period between the interglacial periods. In other words, it's the time between two Ice Ages. There isn't concrete of evidence of how long this period is supposed to last. However, a previous interglacial period lasted 28,000 years(1) If that were to stay constant, the next Ice Age would be about 20,000 years from now.

Scientists are always looking for the causes of Ice Ages because they feel another one is coming. I feel that there's not another Ice Age they have to worry about. Observational evidence is leading me to believe that an Igneous Age is what they need to worry about.

I started forming this loose hypothesis during the Indian Summer NYC has just experienced. During the second week of January 2008, temperatures reached the upper 60s. The norm should be the upper 30s to lower 40s (but even this is "warm" for a city winter). Is it just me or has the weather been changing constantly over the past few years?

Global warming is the main culprit, I believe. It will ultimately lead to the Igneous Age. Think for a moment? Winters are becoming less wintry and summers are a lot steamier. Well, at least in NYC. There are parts of the artic region that have melted to reveal lush forestry. These places have been buried underneath ice for thousands of years.

Recently, baby Lyuba (a 6 month old baby mammoth) was unearthed because the permafrost of the Siberian region is melting away (2) Permafrost is land that stays frosted all year round. Her discovery will not only help scientist understand the cause of the last ice age but also shows that the Earth's climate is changing.

The Earth's climate always changes just before an Ice Age. This is because the Earth shifts on its axis. There is evidence that the Earth has recently shifted on its axis. The tsunami of 2004 was created by the force of an under-ocean earthquake. The earthquake responsible for the Asian tsunami was so powerful that it changed the local geography, shifting islands and the mainland of Sumatra by as much as 120ft (3)This seismic activity literally caused the entire Earth to wobble(4)

There's no doubt, in my mind, the global warming is changing the climate of our planet. The Artic regions are melting. As this land is melting, methane gases are being released into the atmosphere which accelerates global warming. Our compromised ozone layer will allow more and more of the Sun's rays to pierce through. 20,000 years from now, we will be too close to the sun for an Ice Age. 20,000 years from now, the Earth may be bombarded with intense heat. Heat so intense that life as we know it will cease to exist which is not to say that mankind will cease to exist. We made it through the Ice Age didn't we? Or did we?

Hmm…something to think about.

Oh yea...the lady is a scholar too.

1. EPICA community members (2004-06-10). "Eight glacial cycles from an Antarctic ice core". Nature. doi:10.1038/nature02599.

2. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/discoveries/2008-01-04-baby-mammoth-global-warming_N.htm

3.http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1309926/posts

4.Ibid.