X

"...Early in life, I had learned that if you want something, you had better make some noise." - Malcolm X
Every day is black history. February does not suffice.

Here Comes The Sun...

Today was a gorgeous day in Atlanta, the type of day that makes you forget about how much you miss home. I have always been someone who is affected by the weather so when the sun comes out, I am all smiles. The weather here in Atlanta has been crazy to say the least. All in the same month we have had a snow day and days warm enough for flip flops and shorts. Surprisingly "Hotlanta" has not been so hot, quite cold actually. The locals have said the temperture this winter has been 10 to 13 degrees colder than past years. As winter comes to an end and spring breaks through I am excited for warmer days. My favorite thing about sunny days is that people come out from under their covers and pour out into the streets for free concerts, festivals and street fairs. I have always been a people watcher. I use to dream about being old enough to drive myself to the airport. I wanted to sit at a gate and watch people come off a flight and embrace someone they havent seen for awhile, that moment was a joy to watch. I am drawn to any place I can watch people be vulnerable. Warm days bring people together, people seem more open to meet new people and have encounters with those who have also come out of hybernation. So I welcome spring with arms wide open, I am ready!

Little Dragon

Little Dragon will be playing at Masquerade in Atlanta, GA this Wednesday March 10th. They are an amazing four person band from Sweden with influences in jazz, electronic and r&b but their sound can not be classified. Check them out!

LOVE.

"I spy, a girl with a phone"

Looks like I made my way onto someones style blog. The blondes of Athens, GA and their blog, Street Chic have posted a video of me and my fellow stylish anthropologist. Check them out! www.blog.blondeathens.com

http://www.blondeathens.com/store/ If you happen to be in the Athens area stop by the store Blonde at 1260 South Milledge Ave. Suite E. Athens, GA 30605

I'm Back (the realization part1)

I have made my way back from the west coast, well I have been back for weeks but now, I am actually happy to be back in Atlanta. My trip home to Oakland, Ca was bitter sweet. I was there for only a week, a week is never enough when the last time you saw your mother your calender read 2009. Many things were how I remembered but too many stores were now closed, in their absence were new trendy restaurants or bars. I do not remember Oakland being so trendy, no complaints about that it is just that some things seemed out of place when I past a vacant store front. The weather was also a surprise, cold and rainy. Excluding the sweltering summer heat Atlanta is said to have weather comparable to some places in California, on the contrary it has been snowing. I left for Atlanta hoping to see some sunshine in Cali but did not see much.
Although my mood is heavily affected by the weather, my visit to California was needed, and enjoyable.

BFM

No BFM is not the latest text language but it stands for The Berkeley Flea Market. The Berkeley Flea Market has been held every Saturday and Sunday from 7am-7pm for the past 31 years at the Ashby Bart Station. The BFM is a Bay Area landmark (this may not be true but anything that positively serves its community for numerous decades should be). If you have lived in the Bay Area for more than five minutes chances are you heard about the infamous flea market and have attended too many times to count. The BFM is the best place to shop in the bay for one of a kind jewelry, old records, African art and of course incense. Whether you are needing to shop or just want to stroll down one of the isle of the market, it is always adventurous because you never know what you might find, and chances are you will always see and old friend. The easiest way to find the BFM is to just follow the sounds of the drummers that along with the vendors come every weekend, like a musical mapquest. The drumming is just another free perk of the BFM that is already free of charge, making the flea market my kind of place.

Bakesale Betty = Highland Bakery

Here is the first entry of "EQUALS", where I compare a place in the Bay area to that of one in Atlanta. Anyone who has grown up in one city has their favorite hometown hangouts but can still appreciate something similar to where they live now. The idea of Equals is to give people insight on places in Atlanta that are like their favorite places in the Bay Area.
Read. Visit. Revisit. Enjoy. - Morgan Ashley

Both owned by women Bakesale Betty's (Oakland, CA) and Highland Bakery (Atlanta, GA) have one other thing in common, great baked goods. In the case of both women their place may not belong in the kitchen but based on their delectable pastries, that is where they are most wanted. Bakesale Betty's Owner Alison Barakat has been serving her famous strawberry shortcakes on the infamous ironing boards since 2002. Stop by Bakesale Betty's on a Saturday afternoon and you may be to late to purchase one the fried chicken sandwiches that keep the lines long with locals looking for the perfect snack.
The owner of Highland Bakery, Stacey Eames is no stranger to a crowded cafe. Having sufficed Atlaliens need for quality coffee Stacey opened Highland Bakery to serve foodies, "real" southern food. Stacey uses fresh ingredients to provide comfort food without the heavy tummy affect. You have to love a kitchen that is known for their creamy grits and their wedding cakes that resemble art rather than something you devour. Whether you find yourself in Oakland or Atlanta either bakery will be a sweet treat.
Bakesale Betty is located at 5098 Telegraph Ave Oakland, Ca. www.bakesalebetty.com
Highland Bakery is located at 655 Highland Ave #10 Atlanta, GA www.highlandbakery.com

Guess who made the V-LIST?!?

Yours truly, Oaklanta and a couple of friends made V103's V-list. The V-list is the whose who of Atlaliens around town at various events. This event was a fashion mixer in December 09' at Thrive restaurant on Marietta St.
http://www.v103webmag.com/styleish/?cat=37

Differences

As I prepare to travel back to Oakland in late January I have put a lot of thought into the differences between the north and the south. The stereotypes about the south seem to come true at times but Georgia is hospitable and ever changing. As much I have enjoyed my time here in Atlanta I will forever be loyal to the "best coast". I always warn strangers not to ask me where I am from because I rep Oakland to the fullest. My pride for my hometown overflows in my smile, when asked "where you from?" Even after people make that, "Damn, Oakland... that's rough" face. Some things and outsider can and will never understand. Only in Oakland can you get some of the best mangos with chili and lime from a street vendor for a few bucks while still being home to some of the Bay Areas best restaurants. Only in Oakland can a people stand strong against street crime and raised taxes after electing a once retired mayor who watches over his city with eyes wide shut, keeping our cities deficit higher than ever.

Oakland is like no other and the children who grow up there are comparable to none, a different breed by far. We raise our children in Oakland conscious to the differences between ourselves but do not dwell on them. Where as the south seems to still be crawling away from Jim Crow. As a Northerner I can appreciate my racism out in the open but it can be difficult to swallow when walking to your local Stone Mountain, Georgia grocery store past a shadow that your swore to closely resembles a white hood. Having to warn your children not to play in the streets because a driver might suddenly getting out of their car and let it drive itself some how seems less scary than your neighbor who has flashbacks of fond memories of separate water fountains.

One way we differ than those in the south, we are tolerant, smiling in your face while plotting against you. One thing you can say about southern people is that you can always count on a train track to separate those who do not care for one another, they do not tolerate those they do not like. Surprisingly I am not a fan of tolerance, to tolerate someone or something is just to simply deal with it, not understand it. Backwards as it may sound I will gladly stay on my side of the tracks if you have no desire to understand or empathize with me, at least I will always know where we stand.

Noticing all of the many different things about my hometown and my new home, I can appreciate where I am going and where I come from. OAKLAND!

OAKLAND IN BLUE

I will be home (Oakland, of course) on January 24th to check out some dope artist being showcased that evening at the Oakland in Blue listening experience. Come through and support! Somar Bar & Lounge 1727 Telegraph Ave Oakland, CA

Oakland In Blue Listening Experience Series :: volume 4 from FreshVibe Media ® on Vimeo.

Shout out to my girl Wren who put me up to OIB.