T and I rolled out north on I-95 this weekend for an overnight trip to good ole Jacksonville…hehe! The mission of this adventure – catch Anjelah Johnson‘s show at Comedy Zone and visit with Cat! 🙂 And — Cat and I happened to coincidentally do a taupe/black color combo matching outfits thing…LOL
So, I’m happy to report we made it to her late show Friday night and shared lots of laughs!! Side Note – Comedy Zone is in a Ramada..totally random..and uh yeah, we KNEW we weren’t in Miami anymore! We got to sit in the “VIP” section, which was like a sky box at a sporting event…but then again, not really.
The next day we headed out to downtown Jacksonville to have lunch with our favorite comedienne and found this beautiful vessel, “KISMET,” docked along the St. John’s River. Not only is it one of the most beautiful luxury liners I have ever seen, but its name pretty much describes me and T…his Mom referred to us as exactly that…KISMET.
Kismet is a word meaning Fate or Destiny, a predetermined course of events.
Anyhoo, we scooped up Anjelah and headed over to Biscotti’s for lunch…GREAT PICK Cat…food was perfect! Then I opted for soft serve ice cream, while my 3 amigos went for froyo.
BTW, if you’re reading this and aren’t familiar with my girl Anjelah’s work…here’s a teaser video for a new song/video being released by her character, “Bon Qui Qui” …. I’M A CUT YOU
Last Saturday night, we celebrated my dear friend and Deco Producer Odette’s birthday by getting our creative juices flowing at a new concept “store” called Painting with a Twist! I checked out the website before I went (they have locations in city’s all over the country), BUT honestly, I didn’t think I could really create a true masterpiece work of art!! LOL The idea is you bring a group of friends and your own wine..then paint, drink and be merry!!
Luckily we had a very patient master artist leading our class..he’s also a former Deco Producer..Eric! He asked if we had ever painted before, I thought about my childhood “paint by number” and water color sets….then I asked if murals/posters, etc.. for high school rallies count?? haha I’m sure at some point I have painted even if it was an adolescent art class. Anyway, birthday girl Odette chose a moonlit ocean/palm tree scene, and step by step we each put paint on the canvass to make our own (re)creation!
This was really a fun way to hang out and feel artistic and use the other side of our brain…. 🙂 We learned different brush strokes, how to make colors and I’m happy to say everyone was able to complete the task!!
SEEE! Yes…I PAINTED THAT!!! And — here’s a closer look…
I can’t wait to hang it up in the closet!! j/k So, if you’re looking for something else to do on a fun night out with a twist…give this a try, PAINTING WITH A TWIST!! You will be amazed at what you can do, all by yourself!
I’ve never done one of these “Top 10” lists before, but with the year winding down, I started thinking about all that I’ve done this year and decided to sum it all up! No doubt 2011 has been a VERY memorable one…filled with travel, cross-country moves, fun interviews and always surrounded by the love of family and friends. So, without further adieu…here goes:
SUSTAINATOPIA HONORS 2011, presented by PLUM TV is the world’s premier awards ceremony honoring those doing GOOD through impact investing, philanthropy, and sustainable business practice. Hundreds of global leaders in investment, social entrepreneurship and philanthropy will gather to celebrate those committed to doing GOOD and changing our world forever.
#9 – Back to my Pro Dance/Cheer Roots
I became a Regional Director/Consultant for Going Pro Entertainment. In my role with GPE, I coach women as they work toward their goals of auditioning and being selected as a Dancer and/or Cheerleader for a pro (sports) team! I coordinated and hosted 2 very successful all day dance conventions in Miami and the Bay Area, and I’m proud to say a handful of the women are now on pro and semi-pro teams living out their dreams…namely Rachel of the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush! Another exciting event was the inaugural NFL Pro Cheer Alumni Reunion in Las Vegas. Watch this video for the highlights!
It was a quick flight to Cozumel to meet up and board the ship for a very special “at sea” performance by Taylor Swift! Not to mention I got to experience cruising on one of the biggest and newest vessels out there…very memorable!
One of my Miami gal pal’s heads up marketing for Equinox Gym’s in South Florida and she said there was an event going on with a celebrity that would be featured on The Ellen Show during a Zumba class, so could I attend!?!? I was like sure, no problem…well lo and behold…the celeb was none other than the Miami HEAT’s LeBron James!
On The Flipside continued to take on a life of its own in 2011, bridging my passion for sports and my “career” as a host, reporter, broadcaster. It’s an online TV Show I produce, host and edit in my spare time and I’d say 7 episodes is an accomplishment…we’re finishing the year with a 34 total episodes since its launch in 2009 and a handful of extra “specials” too. This year I had the opportunity to feature sports celebs like Santonio Holmes, Marshawn Lynch, Dwight Howard, Stephen Curry and Dwyane Wade, just to name a few.
I celebrated my birthday on both coasts this year, felt like I was on “tour.” Tariq made sure it was extra special, completely spoiling me…that paired with being able to see and share the occasion with so many of my friends made it so memorable! From Miami to LA and finally back home in the Bay, my 2011 birthday was a reminder of how blessed I am!!
One of my favorite things to do is travel, and while I’m usually not too much of an adventurous type, in 2011 I dared to be different. During my visit to Maui with my sister and Dad, we decided to embark on a downhill bike ride on the Haleakala Volcano! It was a 22-mile ride, that in the end I am so glad to say I did, but really there were times I was like what did I get myself into!?!? haha
Then on my Ocho Rios, Jamaica excursion, I had the unique opportunity to go horseback riding in the ocean…which was fun, but seeing the horses relieve themselves in the water while we were riding around in it…not so much! LOL
Well, what can I say, in 2011 I left Miami and the East Coast in May to return to my beloved Bay Area. I took a job as a TV Reporter at KRON and decided it was time to take that leap of faith! Needless to say, it didn’t last long…the gloom & doom, murder & mayhem nature of the news just wasn’t for me! I’ve been back living the (freelance) Miami life and 2012 is promising to deliver lots of new beginnings! I can’t hardly wait.
#2 – Virgin Atlantic’s RED HOT REPORTER in LONDON
In October of 2011 I had the opportunity and trip of a lifetime courtesy of Virgin Atlantic, after I was chosen as their Red Hot Reporter for the NFL International Series between the Chicago Bears and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium! Tariq was able to come long for the “ride” and together we were privy to VIP access for all the events, parties and fun festivities!! The entire journey from start to finish was a top notch, 5-star, first class experience that I will never forget…I’ve got my fingers crossed they’ll want more of my Red Hot Reporting next fall 2012 too!! 😉
#1 – TARIQ
Hands down THE highlight of my 2011 was finally finding my best friend and partner for life! The story of how Tariq and I came to be is something you could read in the pages of a romance novel, but certainly a long time coming…our paths have definitely crossed more than a few times over the years, but in 2011, they finally were in sync and the rest is history, with the BEST yet to come! 😀
One of my main Miami homegirls, is leaving the Magic City, and headed up the East Coast… she’s switching mic flags and leaving WSVN. Figures, just when I decide to come back into town… Anyway, I couldn’t be more proud to call you a friend and even more so, happy for your success and achieving your goals. And — what a great time to be doing what you’re going to do, where you’re going to do it…Elections 2012…I’ll be watching you!!
So, it was only fitting that we got together for a good ole So Flo send off at the Fontainebleau Hotel!
That’s me sandwiched between Rene (left) and Constance (right)
Lots of love from her Miami (TV) fam …and friends…I still get “honorary” Miami TV status from my Deco tenure! LOL
(l-r) Dara, Me, Rene and Amara …check the throwback from 2008 below! 😉
SO MANY GOOD times with you Miss Marsh!! YOU WILL BE MISSED!! Best of luck!! xoxo
The one and only DJ Irie hosted a FANTASTIC holiday party on Miami Beach last night with Ludus, to support his Irie Foundation. I am proud to say that Irie was one of my first “Miami friends” before moving to Florida, and since that time his star has grown exponentially..and very well deserved! He is one of the hardest working people I know, but always stays humble, gracious and grounded…I can’t say enough.
All that being said, anytime I can support and attend one of his events, I do my best to be there! Well, last night he definitely outdid himself. He hosted the most lavish, decadent, holiday party on Miami Beach at a private residence and he pulled out all the stops with theme, decor and entertainment..in true MIA fashion! From elf-fitted servers to nutcrackers, Santa and a crew of “Ho, Ho, Ho’s”…there was snow, elaborate lighting, exotic cars, Stoli drinks flowing and of course the music to put you in the Holiday spirit..or just party mode!
Check out more pics below…it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
I just spent a week with Flat Stanley! My friend Eric in Phoenix sent him to me and asked if I knew who he was and if I’d be willing to participate…of course I obliged, and Stanley and I had a great time!! 🙂 So who is this “Flat Stanley” character, for those of you who aren’t familiar??? Well, he has a website – http://www.flatstanley.com/
Basically he’s a character from a book and because he’s “flattened” he can be mailed, thus allowing for great adventures all over the globe as he gets passed from friend to friend. I did this for Mrs. Mac’s 1st grade class at Cottonwood Elementary in Hesperia, CA!
I received Stanley in my Oakland mailbox right after Thanksgiving and of course he got to ride on Southwest with me cross-country to Florida! See how he got the window seat and was watching the luggage get loaded!?!? ha
We had one layover and plane change in Las Vegas, so Stanley took that opportunity to sit in front of the slot machines! Unfortunately we didn’t hit the jackpot and proceeded to board for our Fort Lauderdale bound flight.
The highlight of Stanley’s South Florida visit was a day out at an NFL game to see the Miami Dolphins host the Oakland Raiders! Here he is getting ready to enter Sun Life Stadium amidst all the pre-game festivities….
We had great seats at the game, but sadly the Raiders lost…womp, womp, womp… 🙁 However, it was fun and Stanley got to meet my road dawg Jeanette and she will now be hosting him for a week over at the Raiders facility…hopefully he brings them better luck for this Sunday!
I was lucky enough to attend “Watch The Throne” in Miami last night, courtesy of Dontaira and Kia… 🙂 The Jay-Z and Kanye concert is nothing short of fabulous, amazing, exciting and inspiring!! The energy inside American Airlines Arena was unbelievable, not an empty seat in the house..and of course plenty of star sightings with DWade and LeBron leading the way, (on what could’ve been a HEAT game night at Triple A), but nonetheless, thousands upon thousands of Hip Hop fans threw the Roc in the air to party with the best of ’em – myself included! 😉
I borrowed the above pic from @CCole_E twitter, cuz apparently her tickets were slightly closer then mine…LOL!! I’m not complaining though…I had a great view of everything I needed to see.
The set design and staging for the show were extremely well done, they had a main stage with a platform that went up and down centered in front of it, then opposite there was another platform which could be raised as well, bringing the artists closer to the crowd across the main stage.
The lighting and use of lasers, fire and effects = mind-blowing…I was seriously mesmerized.
Obviously I wouldn’t expect anything less from Hip Hop Royalty, but all the staging, paired with SO MANY hits…all that music…WOW, just WOW!
During the 2 hour show they each had their own sets in addition to performing several songs together from Watch The Throne and elsewhere….but more than anything, I loved hearing Jay’s hits that took me back a good decade + … and being surrounded with everyone else who felt it too.
And — the best part, they did “Ni**as in Paris” 5 TIMES!! Twice to close the show and 3 times for an encore….and each time they re-started the crowd loved it that much more! “THAT SHIT CRAY!!!”
Shouts to my concert date Kimi..it was her FIRST EVER rap/hip hop concert!! I know, right!?!? It was a hot, sweaty, humid mess inside the Arena, but worth every beat that we danced too.
How many artists can make tens of thousands (grown ass adult fans) throw the Roc symbol in the air and all be on the same beat…. If they’re coming to an arena near you…you DON’T want to miss it…simply EPIC.
A great weekend in the Bay with some of my favorite folks! Friday my baby sister Alison graduated with her ABSN (Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing) from Samuel Merritt University!! It had been a grueling year with lots of sacrifice, but now she’s an RN!! Here I am placing a (graduation) lei on her before the ceremony!
Following her “pinning we had a dinner at Kincaid’s in Jack London Square – their crab and artichoke dip is our FAV!! Check out this photo of Alison giving a speech..she gets “emotional! hehe
Here she is with her crew..they’ve been her close friends since she her age was a single digit! 🙂
What’s a celebration without some sweets? Ordered these “nurse” themed cupcakes from Marley’s Treats…
Alison’s proud fan club – Ade, me, T and my Dad!
Saturday was the “We Believe vs. Dubs” charity reunion game (aka GS Warriors game) at SJSU…
Look out for EXCLUSIVE footage On The Flipside…coming soon… 😉
Then after the game, it was a trip to V Bar at Santana Row to hang out with the homies!!
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!
This is the “prom couples” picture! haha
Then Sunday…a day at the Coliseum!!! Viva Los Raiders – was not happy about the L! grrr
#10 – Host of the FIRST EVER 
#8 – My first 
#2 – Virgin Atlantic’s RED HOT REPORTER in LONDON
