Myisha Cherry

So after coping a recipe courtesy of Emeril from TV the other day, I got the confidence to try peppered steamed red snapper out. It wasn’t bad. My bud Serena and I scraped our plates. Geesh, I’m getting so much better at this cooking thing. yah!

I believe that potential
should not just sound good
but pay good

So about  a year ago I was introduced to a writer in Brooklyn named Jean. Last year, Jean introduced himself to me via email and told me that he had heard that I had publishing experience and wanted to meet me for dinner for advice. I was down. We connected, talked, exchanged our writing journey, and soon would become writing partners at our neighborhood cafe and good friends. He is now in the process of shopping his memoir manuscript to some agents called “Finding Nia: The story of an exonerated Felon”

Yesterday he decided to visit my job and give a presentation on memoir writing to our students. The creative writing class he spoke to was also honest writers in their own right and they were blessed to hear him share his story of inspiration, writing tips, and provide encouragement to them about their own writing. Also, Back from a recent visit from Haiti (he is a Native) he was able to teach us of Haiti’s history, beauty, and value.  My students were able to connect with him and I’m glad that he showed them just how valuable and brilliant they are.

Moments like this make me grateful for the people in our lives that we can share with others. Today I’m happy to say that I know Jean and I’m glad for inspirational and creative friends who are selfless enough to inspire others to tell their story.

So Im trying to do some different, drastic, life changing yet beneficial things in my life this year. You see, I’m trying to switch it up. And after years of procrastinating, I proclaim that this is the year that I will begin the habit of cooking. Now, don’t judge me or think that I’m less of a woman. Half of Americans are cooking less and going out and although I enjoy the luxury of eating at restaurants (ok its an obsession), its not very healthy. Plus cooking saves you money, and I just believe that fixing a meal for myself is as essential as washing myself, so its time to get it going.

I was never interested before. I grew up quite spoiled. While my sister was learning how to cook, I was playing sports. But the desire started a few years ago, begging for lessons from friends. But the inspiration came late last year from a friend of mine who eats very healthy. This year I received the final boost from the information Ive been receiving from Chef Jamie Oliver and Writer and Professor Michael Pollan. This weekend I explored Jamie’s website and watched his TED Conference talk. I also had the chance to check out Pollans “In Defense of Food” Talks and finally “Food, Inc”. I then went to the grocery shopping. Yes I did. People it is on and popping over here.

I’m not saying that I’m striving to be a chef or anything. I just want to treat myself good and stop depending on others (restaurants) to do it for me. And although I doubt I will become great at it, its the journey and the trying that I am more intrigued by. When things turn out awesome, I will show them to you. When they don’t, oh well.

Check out CHEF JAMIE OLIVER TED SPEECH here. Its (A Must See)

I want to make a confession and say that the recent Snicker commericials showcasing legendary celebrities are one of the most hilarious things I’ve seen. And even though they are not enough to make me eat a snickers, what the commerials do is make me appreciate such legends all the more and it massages my funny bone. Take a look at my two favorite featuring Aretha Franklin and Betty White.

Favorite Line: “Can you feel that”

Favorite Line: “Come on man, You’ve been riding me all day”

I never really write personal reflections here. This blog for me has been for inspirational and cultural sharing of sorts. However, there comes a time when you desire to talk and not open you mouth at all and what better way to do that than through writing.

These last 4 years has been a space of growth, new adventure, and a true welcome into adulthood. Within this time period, I moved to NYC from Baltimore with no family and no job, my mother passed away at the mere age of 52, I’ve experience heartache, healing, and heartache. I’ve also been learning so much about life; that it is indeed what you make it and it is YOU that must make it what it is.

I’ve learned the truth that my twenties would be the most daring and even as I grow into my 30’s I miss that side of myself. I’ve tried love for the first time since this little heart was broken at the age of 15.  It is much different in adulthood. Much more complicated, much more scary.  But familial love I’m finding is much more real, important, and lasting than I would of ever thought it would be when I was younger.

Professionally, I am doing what I love which is writing and teaching. But there is something inside of me that still wants more. I want more experiences and more rewards. I’m grateful, but I also am easily bored and desire what I am worth. And I am convinced that there is nothing wrong with that at all. I believe that that longing will never die. I’m on the constant grind of balancing my intellectual and creative side and praying that the rewards for having and working both, will come to me.

I have learned so much about people and myself. “They” are complicated. I don’t understand “them”. At times I’m scared to trust “them”, scared to share myself with “them”, and if any one really pays attention they would find that this loud mouth on stage, on a pulpit, and on paper is really very mute in relationships and encounters. But my extroverted self finds joy, inspiration, and growth in “them”. And in the end, I realize I want and need “them” more than they know. For myself, I am “complicatively simple” or at least is on a campaign to get everyone to think that. I’m also obsessed with realizing my potential, obsessed with getting what I want, deeply humbly confident, obsessed with proving to the world that I am a good person. I am not sure that either is really healthy or is supposed to be.

In less than 30 days, another birthday will come around. I will get older. And as each day pass, I am writing the wisdom down, confronting and welcoming the lessons, journaling because I’m scared I will forget the moments. I’m also getting over things and moving on, accepting things and staying. I don’t know if I’m doing a good job at either, but the act of it is making me stronger each day and I can say I’m proud of myself. Proud of thinking, for working life out, for enjoying Joy, and trying to make sense out of it through reflecting.

Hey, sometimes inspiration speaks to you in the weirdiest of places and through regular objects and pieces. Lately, advertisements and sign messages have been giving me an inspirational word. Something is going on in the universe yall. lol.

Anywhoo, I’ll thought Ill share a few Ive seen in New York City and San Francisco. If you’ve seen any, I would love to get a link. Inspire me please!!

Queens, NYC

Barneys in San Fransisco, CA

NYC subway, Manhattan

NYC subway, Queens

Macys, Manhattan

(because the root of our problems is this four letter word (bills)
Manhattan, NYC

So I just returned back from the Bay area. I spent 4 days just relaxing and enjoying friends. I also fell in love with San Francisco. It reminds me of a hotter New York City. Anyway, below are a few pics and I’m back to daily blogging. Let me also mention that the Rest did wonders for me. So if you can, take the break that you need, no matter where you decide to go or not go. Rest is as sacred as work and you don’t need money to do it.

Alcratrez is in the distance

I know, I know.. the peace sign is…

Its not called the Bay for nothing

It took us 30 min to get all the way to the top of that hill but it was so much fun!

Thats me!

So Kobe Bryant graced the cover of GQ in December as the champion of the year, but now hes back again. Kobe has been killing lately, setting records, winning games and even through injuries he’s refused to stop playing. Through his actions he’s teaching us all about passion, drive, and resilence and Im inspired in life each time he plays on the court.

Check out the article Here called ”In it to Win it” and the pics below. The Magazine is set to be on newstands in March.

I am a writer and I am proud about it. But most of the time, writing is a very lonely task. Writing and thinking is always done in private and if we are lucky a piece of the world may read it. If you are a part of this club, say amen.

The guys at writesomething.net was made for writers and thinkers; those who want the world to hear what is going on in our heads and don’t mind collaborating with others along the way. They have created a website for writers from all over the world to just add their thoughts in what they call an “endless senseless collaborative book”. Log On to the site and contribute your words, so a piece of the world can hear what we all have to say.

I love to laugh. I mean who doesn’t except the Grinch. But I also love creativity and I get inspired and energized by it when I witness it. I came across comedian Demetri Martin about 2 years ago. Of course he was funny, but I was blown away more with how he mixed his rare creativity to his act. With the use of consistent motifs, illustrations, charts, piano and guitar playing, Demetri is becoming one of my favorite comedians and is showing the world that comedy is just as artistic and creative as the other arts.

You can check out Demetri’s Clearification Episodes here. If you have time you should really see him in action in his standup as he makes an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.  Oh, he has a new show out on comedy central entitled Important Things with Demetri Martin which appears every Thursday at 10PM. Make yourself laugh by clicking on one of the links above. It will make your day at work feel better on a Monday afternoon. Trust Me.

I love New York City as strong as the next man. Neue Magazine showed love to my awesome city this month by getting Graphic Artists to submit typography work inspired by the city that never sleeps. Below are some examples.

One Word: ANOINTED

Recently Pharrell Williams attended MIDEM 2010 conference, a music business conference held in France, and gave a Keynote speech and Q & A moderated by Rob Stone. In the interview, Pharrell offers some pretty informative and inspirational thoughts on creativity, business, teamwork, giving your best, and implementing ideas.

I dont know much about my family history. I never met any of my grandparents. My mother was a foster child and so going back and researching is quite difficult. But there is still apart of me that wishes I knew where I came from and who were my ancestors. Perhaps this is why Professor Louis Gates new series is intriguing to me. When I saw the above images in the subway the other day, I got excited. 

Professor Louis Gates will be taking a look at 12 Talented people and tracing their ancenstry. They include the likes of Malcolm Gladwell, Steve Colbert, Eva Longoria, Meryl Streep, and many more. He will reveal some interesting information too. View the preview below and check out the series which  premieres every Wednesday beginning February 10 until March 3, from 8-9pm on PBS. After seeing this preview, I need Louis Gates at my kitchen Table. And I mean ASAP!

I watched the Apple Keynote yesterday and Yes I am getting an Ipad this Spring. But as innovative as Apple is, I must admit Mad TV came up with the idea first lol. Check it out below.

My latest music review is on a Nigerian/German artist by the name of Nneka. I just reviewed her latest compilation  album called “Concrete Jungle”. To See what I have to say about it Read the Review Here.

Her album comes out Feb. 2nd, followed by a live performance on David Letterman on Feb. 3. Oh and to hear some of her music and to get to know her, check out her music video “Africans” and a German interview here.

If you have been reading this blog for a while, then the dude above is not a stranger. If you have not, then let me introduce you. Terrence Cunningham is a musician/singer/songwriter located in Washington, DC. He’s a combination of soul and alternative and a genius on the keys. This past weekend he performed an acoustic set on 88.9 FM in DC/MD. I wanted to share it with you so that you can see the awesomeness. The live recorded album will be released this summer. Also if you are in DC, you can check him out at his artist residency at Metropolitan Muse Concert Series at Layla Lounge.

Falling

Live 22 min. Acoustic Set from 88.9

For the last few weeks as I walked to work down Stuyvesant Ave. to the A TRain, I’ve also been walking through an early morning movie shoot. Its not bad at all. My house is not on the block where they are filming. But what is bad is seeing all the free food and not being bold enough to poise as a crew member and get some free breakfast. Oh and they are there when I get home too, tempting me with dinner.

Our area of Bedstuy (particular between decatur and hancock) is known for filming flicks. Since I’ve moved here, a few epidoses of NBC’s Black Donnellys, Queen Latifah’s Life Support and a few others were filmed in my neighborhood.

Well the latest cinematic presentation to take over Bedstuy is a New HBO series called Boardwalk Empire. According to BlackBook, “the Series is set at the dawn of Prohibition. Boardwalk Empire follows Atlantic City’s birth and the gangsters, bootleggers, and rum-runners who spawned it.” Oh and Martin Scorsese directed the pilot and Soprano’s Terence Winter is the producer. Lets just see if they will be as successful as both of them have been. What I do know is that when it debuts, all I’m gonna think about is the free food I never was bold enough to grab. Bummer!

So sadly tommorow(Friday), Conan OBrian will be exiting the Tonight Show and if you’ve been following these Late Night War stories you know why. I must admit, Im not happy about it. I always liked Conan. My TV turned to NBC not after the news, but after Leno. I just always liked Conan’s uniqueness and felt like I could relate to his awkard comedy. Agreements and payouts have been made, but the most valable lesson Ive learned from the whole ordeal will live and that is:

If you are not appreciated, Roll out. Period!

Thanks CoCo for the reminder. We will see you back on the air and even better than ever, because beyond NBC, you see and know your value.