The Diva Book

A look through my lens...

2007-03-23T02:15:00.000-07:00

Although I have been lacking in the blog arena-
I still have been living a life of fabulousness (of course)!

I am always taking pictures.
Although I'm on the road now (as always)-
(and bored in my hotel room in Greenville, S. Carolina),
I was going through my camera and looking at
all the moments in time I've captured...

Since my blogging has been lacking and
I'm trying get the spirit back,
Since I know I probably won't go backwards
with old stories,
ANNNND
Since I love taking pictures (obviously) :)
I'm going to show you some of the pictures
on my camera- not all - just some :)

Sangindiva presents-
A Look Through My Lens...

So let's start with this one:

I MET BLOGGER WILL!!!! -----> (His site)
after a few sad attempts at taking a picture together...
we finally got it right :)

A trip to cold Canada...
(Hi bonku)

On stage at the Zulu Ball '07
for Marti Gras in New Orleans

Backstage with a maid of the Zulu court

Backstage with the Whispers in Atlanta

Me and Glam at our grilled cheese ladies night

Me and Joey...

Me and (another) band after a show

Me and Mike "BEAST on the Bass" Manson
-----> (H is site)

Me and the Hot Boyz (producers) @ the studio

Me and Dub C (Westside Connection)

Me and Butch Cassidy

Having a laugh....

And loving my life!!

Sangindiva~

Soul Searchin' and Seekin'...

2007-03-10T13:57:00.000-08:00

Yes, it has been a looooong time since I've blogged.
In all honesty I was strongly considering
shutting this blog down.

It's so easy to go back to a life of anonymity...
...of just blog lurking,
...reading with no comment or opinion-
unless I felt like it.

I made it one year-
and my blog evolved,
as my life did-
sometimes in the open...
sometimes in secret.

Over the past few months I have really been
doing some soul searching and life evaluating.
I've lost a few friends
and left a few friends;
lost myself...
yet gained a new perspective.
I even fell in love...

with myself!

and it has been a wonderful thing.

Through prayer and silence,

I have been seeking God,

seeking life

and seeking happiness...

I've found that and then some-

January was a month of loss for me,
So I really didn't feel like blogging.

I lost a dear friend and a part of our band...

*RIP* Doug Iten

I lost a tooth :(

(I wonder If I lost some wisdom too?!)

I lost my dang CELL PHONE!!!

in a cab in Phoenix -
1 hour before my show.
I was crying and sad
because I don't know
my mother's number by heart...

or ANY BODY'S number by heart-

because of that dang cell phone,

that I LOST,
in a cab,
1 hour before my show....

{Insert lots of sobs and tears here}

I even got a comforting hug from
Jazz legend GEORGE BENSON

He said:"You have to smile big for my picture"
Because believe me yall... I was sad.
(look at me looking like a raccoon from crying)

Then ...

I lost my voice
and lost a week of speaking or singing!!!

(but now it's found-
and I am SUUUPER busy!) YAY!

So now that I am NOT shutting down my blog...
I will update you on all the goods soon!

Sangindiva~

My Momma MADE Me Do It!

2007-02-14T02:40:00.000-08:00

Hi everybody!!!!
First let me start off by saying....

I know it has been OVER a month since I
have blogged. Please forgive me!!

I went on an unofficial blog hiatus because
I was going to shut the whole thing down...
but my Mommy said "NO!"
(so I guess that was FINAL! hahaha!)

She called me on the phone-
went into her "momma speech",
made me feel REALLY GUILTY -
and thus...my blog today!

I have a post that I have saved from January-
giving all the details of my reasons,
but I will post it later.

On this day of love- I want to " show love"
to a few of our D.C. BLOGGERS!!!

I met BUTTA and CREOLE IN D.C.!!!

O.k. Lemme tell yall 'what had happened' hahaha!

On February 9th and 10th we did two nights at
Constitution Hall in Washington, DC.

I e-mailed Butta and Creole to let them know
I would be in their town, and to see if they wanted
to meet up... And they did!

Creole and I decided to have lunch on Sat. afternoon.

I could tell Ms. Thang was excellent at getting things handled!
She called the place, made the reservations, gave me addresses,
times and numbers! I MEAN she was ON IT!
(I'm actually very glad for that because I'm used to things
being handled for me! hahaha!) I'm such a spoiled diva :)

I got an even MORE special treat because
her handsome husband Robby came too!!!

They make the cutest couple...
and are WONDERFUL hosts!
I was treated to a superb Italian lunch at
the beautiful Cafe Milano. And I must say
Miss Creole is a FASHION DIVA- yesssir!
She was lookin' cute from head to toe!
*LOOK!*

(and she KNOWS it cuz she's got mirrors!) *inside joke*
I told her we are going to have to go shopping because-
her sense of style is FABULOUS!

And did I metion she is sooo pretty?
*LOOK!*

Later on that night...
I met up with the infamous BUTTA!

I was really excited to meet her because she is the
VERY FIRST BLOG I READ!! *Look at my links*
Ms. Butta is beautiful!
Her smile just lights up EVERYTHING :)
*LOOK!*

She hung out with me backstage,
in my dressing room, had dinner with me ANNND
heard all the road gossip :)
(she knows that the PASS HAS POWER!) *inside joke*

I'm so glad we all got to meet up!
FUN times were certainly had by all!

I'm still on the road yall-
I will try to blog more frequently but
I'm working... A LOT so bare with me.
I love you guys!!

Sangindiva~

New Year...Old Business

2007-01-03T07:09:00.000-08:00

SHHHHHH!!!
I'm trying to quietly blog through my
alcohol induced hangover.
(Most people had hangovers from their
New Year's celebration- my hangover
STARTED around Halloween...)

I know it's the new year but I have to wrap up
some of last year's OLD business.
I know... I know... if I would have kept up with
my blogging- I'd be current- BUT
I have to have time to actually LIVE the life I
write about :)

Let's see-
It has officially been one year...
since I started blogging!!

YAY!! It's my Blog-a-versary!!

The last trip I left off with was Indianapolis, Indiana
and I must say... it was pretty fun :)
Here are few of the pics...

Me and Jack

Me and Darryl ("Footz")
(one of THE best drummers in the industry)

Me and Ann-Marie from Chi-Town!!!
(she is the QUEEN of French Martinis...
but I am the PRINCESS!)

Me, Leone and Charlette

and of course....
A STAGE SHOT!!!

Since it was the last show of 2006
(with this band) of course we had to party...
but I can only show 1 pic from that! :)

So here it is:

Me, Jeffrey, Scott and Mikey

Then the next day I got a call from
my friend Marcellina,
(who is a FANTASTIC vocalist-
and sings with Natalie Cole)
to be a singer in the Colors of Christmas show
with Pebo Bryson, James Ingram, Stephanie Mills
and Denise Williams.

I won't post a lot of pics... cause' I'm lazy :)
These pics were taken the last day
of the tour... and I was lookin' crazy!

Marcellina, Pebo and Me

James and Me

THEN the NEXT day- I taught a class!
I snapped this picture as they were coming in-

Here is a Sangindiva "real life" fact-
Before I decided I was only going to sing
for a living- I was a teacher.
So (when I can fit it in) at the end of the semester,
I give a master class to Beginning
and Advanced vocal/music high school students.

Then the NEXT day...

I had a studio session with Howard Hewett
and Ralph Johnson (of Earth,Wind and Fire)
to work on two more songs for Howard's album.

Ralph, Me and Howard

Because I live in Los Angeles-
I was able to see Dreamgirls before it came out
on Christmas- So my sister and I went to see it.
We got souvenir books and numbered lithograph pictures
too- We also bought the T-shirt that was only available during
the special pre-screenings.

Me and Kymia

I spent Christmas with Dionne Warwick and clan.
(It's a long story how I know them...)
but I took no pictures because-
well, it would have been weird...
I mean, that's Auntie Dionne n' nem.
AND NO-WHITNEY WASN'T THERE!!
(but if she was -I would have taken a picture of THAT!!)

I brought in the New Year partying with the homies @
the Friar's club in Beverly Hills.
If you like basketball players then New Years Eve was
your night! I personally know NOTHING about sports
and didn't know 90% of the players there...
I ONLY took pictures with people at MY table...
(cause I didn't know anybody else!!)

My friend Kim Johnson (of the group J.S.),
Corey Maggette and I started the night off
with the PRE-drink photo...
(Although if I were to be honest-
I had already had 2 sex on the beaches
and a couple of dances :)

Me, Corey and Kim

A couple of martini's later...

Me and Quentin Richardson-
(He'd better be glad I don't do athletes!)

The party was CRACKIN' ...

Me and Elise Neal

The clock strikes 12, the Patron was passed,
and I should have just said NOOOOOO...
but I didn't. *sigh*
THAT is why NO "after Patron" pictures will be shown.

On New Years Day-
My friend and blogger GLAM prepared a wonderful brunch!

So I stopped by to feed my hangover with food
and CHAMPAGNE!!!
We must have killed at LEAST 3 bottles! hahaha!

Ms. Thang is the greatest hostess!!
She made Greens, Mac & Cheese, Yams,
Black Eyed Peas (for good luck) and cornbread
that was TO DIE FOR!! Thanks Glam!!

Well,
The holidays are over- back to work!
I am on my way to Mississippi and Memphis.
See yall when I get back!!

Sangindiva~

HAPPY NEW YEAR YALL!!!

2006-12-29T17:51:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to wish everyone a
WONDERFUL, BLESSED, SAFE
and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!

May your 2007 be filled with more
blessings that you can handle...
so that you can pass them on to bless others!

Sangindiva~

MERRY CHRISTMAS YALL!

2006-12-24T03:34:00.000-08:00

I was "lovingly" reminded by my friend
MALCOLM that it has almost been 20
days since I've blogged...

Well, yes, this is true.
BUT-
because God is soooo wonderful,
and has been blessing me so much-
I have been busy living the extrodinary life
I've prayed for...

So,
I wish YOU-
bloggers, family and friends
A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY!!

Regular postings will be back soon :)

Sangindiva~

Cayman Island Fun!

2006-12-05T18:33:00.000-08:00

Hey Everybody!
I'm back from the Caymans :)

I absolutely LOVE the Caymans Islands!
This was my 2nd time there.
I sang in the festival last year with
Al Jarreau and also with George Duke-
(can we say DOUBLE $$ DIP?!?)
I would have shown the pictures but I don't
feel like looking for them so...
Let's get to THIS year.. SHALL WE?

Since I had been there before- ALL and I mean ALL
of the production team remembered me!!
I couldn't believe it when I got off of the plane
and heard- "Shannon? Oh my gosh- you're back!!"
and was greeted with hugs and screams... like a
for REAL celebrity! hahaha!

Here is a photo of Me and Patrice (my island assistant)
as soon as I got off the plane...

I was cheezin' hard huh? hahaha!

Then I thought to myself - it is sooo humid!
I'd better wrap this head up before I have an
afro...

So I wrapped my head in a sarong...
before I jumped in the limo with Jeffrey...

After we checked in-
we went over to catch the rest of KEM's set.

We have done at least 5 shows with KEM,
but I always see the show from backstage.
It was interesting to see the show from the
front. I think his night was the 1st night, so
he didn't perform on the beach like the rest
of us- he was in the Ballroom.

Here I am at soundcheck on Showday-
with my friend Kim- who sings with Pebo Bryson.
She came to hang out- Hey Kim!! : )

As you can see I was make-up free and greasy...
(I've been told that look is called "the Island Glow")
I guess I had the "island glow" the WHOLE week!

Our drummer brought his friend Marque : )

Show Night...

Me and Kim

Me and Joey backstage...

and our CLOSE-UP!!

The show was fun!
It was taped and will be shown on BET-J, I think.
You'll have to check your local listings to see when.
Since I have friends in high places (hahaha)
I've "acquired" some footage from the show.
I have to figure out how to you tube it...

I spent A LOT of time on the beach-

a lot of time hangin' out-

and laughin'...

This girl is crazy!
She tickled me right before the picture was taken-
and said it makes the picture more "natural" hahaha!

I even hung out with Darren (from Soul Food)

He's a really nice guy...

Since a few of us stayed for a mini-vacay,
a lot of the photos I took are for my private collection...
But I'll let you see some :)

Me and Mikey (our road mgr.)

Me and Jack-o (Jeffrey's mgr)

Me -initiating Penny (Jack's wife) into the band...
by rubbing my whompies on her head : )

Yeah... fun times were had!

I had the greatest view from my balcony,
so every night I would try to catch-

A Cayman Sunset...

I am so grateful to God
for all of the wonderful blessings
I receive and live everyday-
and for wonderful friends like you to
share the experience with!

I leave tonight (Wed.) for Indianapolis, Indiana.
So have a great weekend!

SANGINDIVA~

Oh! P.S.

My girl P <----- who is apart of "TEAM SHANNON"
found this on You Tube. I didn't even know it was there!
It is a clip of me singing with George Duke in D.C. this
summer. Yay!

Cayman Quickie...

2006-11-29T02:39:00.000-08:00

Hello from the beautiful Grand Cayman Islands!!!

I am stopping in to let you know
I'll be incognegro until Dec. 5th.
I'm doing a show here for the Cayman Island Jazz festival.
(If anyone is here for that LET ME KNOW!!)
Then I'm staying to chill for a mini-winter vacay...
I'll be back with pictures OF COURSE!!
Until then be safe, be blessed- ANNNDDD....
IF YOU HAVEN'T READ YESTERDAY'S POST...
Take a listen to the song- I'd like to know you think!

Luv yall!

Sangindiva~

ON THE RADIO...

2006-11-28T01:42:00.000-08:00

Hey Everybody!!!

I have the greatest news! : )
I have another song on the radio!! YAY!
I love to do the vocals for an artist and it
plays on the radio.
I am always so honored when I am asked to sing
on someone's record. I look at it like a piece of history
that I am apart of. As well as a chance to be creative with
someone else. God is so good to me! : )

Well this time- Howard Hewitt has a new single out
called "Enough" and I'M ON IT!!

Howard told me it was doing very well on the radio and
quickly moving up the charts! I'm so proud! : )
He also gave me permission to post and blog about it.
So if you like it- Let him know! REQUEST IT!! : )

Although we all know Howard many solo hits including
my personal favorite- "AMEN"
He was also a member of the group Shalamar...

(Jeffrey Daniels, Jody Watley and Howard Hewitt)

So yall,
Here is the song - Tell me what you think!

powered by ODEO

P.S.
It was mixed and recorded by Mr. Erik Zobler-
which is why it sounds SO INCREDIBLE!!!

(I've talked about him before ----->here.)

SANGINDIVA~

You see me comin'.... BACK UP!!!

2006-11-26T01:11:00.000-08:00

When you see that girl comin'...

BACK UP!

She ain't your average chick-

Back Up!

Hey Blog Family!

I hope your Thanksgiving Holiday was great!
I had a pretty cool time. I started it off with family,
and ended it with some friends.

Now usually I don't do this- but uh...

I don't really feel like blogging so-
I'mma show you how I kick it in family mode.
Because the 'Diva' act does NOT work at my mama's house-
There was no make-up, no weaves, no fancy clothes-
no red carpet treatment... I mean really-
I had to get up to GET MY OWN soda!! Seriously!! hahaha!

(My only brother Ronnie, Me, my sister Paulette (green)
her daughter Alicia, my mom, my sister Kymia- holding
her daughter Anisa and my son Aaron.) My youngest sister
is away for school and didn't want to come home.

I never put pictures of my family-
and I don't know why they asked...
but they all wanted to be "featured" on my blog.
um... I hate to be the one to break it to them...
but no one was looking their photo best :)

But if they don't care- I don't either
so let's bring on the parade ...

THE CLAN

(Paulette, Me, Ronnie, Nikki)

Kym's Family

(Kymia, Eric, Anisa)

(Kym and Anisa)

Paulette's Family

(Paulette and Hakeem)

(Paulette and Alicia)

(Me, My brother and sister...)

Me being "aunteee"

The Cousins...

Aaron and Alicia

Aaron(with the hurry up she's heavy face) & Anisa.

Me and my Mama

Me and my baby...

SO-
How did yall spend Thanksgiving'?

Sangindiva~

Holiday TAG... I -POD of Your Life

2006-11-22T07:45:00.000-08:00

Hey Yall!

This being the official day before Thanksgiving,
allow me to wish everyone a wonderful, safe and
happy holiday. Enjoy yourselves... but not TOO much!

Remember when you were in
elementary school,
and the day before a holiday,
you always played a game or
colored pictures as "fun" for the class?

Well I may not have a 'turkey hand-painting' project
today.... But I have a tag that is just as fun!
I got it from the Goddess (thanx girlie!)

So Enjoy...
and feel free to "borrow" this project
for your "class" (blog)!

I-POD of Your Life-

Here are the rules:

1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing.
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool...

Opening Credits: "That's how I like it" -Beyonce'

Waking Up: "You're making me high"- Toni Braxton

First Day At School: "Burn" Usher

Falling In Love: "Ready for your love" Minnie Riperton

Fight Song: "Soon as I get home"- Faith Evans
(this should have been a make-up song! hahaha!)

Breaking Up: "Golden" -Jill Scott

Prom: "Previous Cats" - Musiq

Life is good: " Simple" - India. Arie

Mental Breakdown: "It's not worth it"- Brandy (ooh- this song fits!)

Driving: "Can I walk with you"- India. Arie
(hey! I thought we were DRIVING!)

Flashback: "Someday we'll all be free' - Donny Hathaway
(a TRUE flashback song!)

Getting Back Together: "Rain" - SWV

Wedding: "Lush Life"- Ella Fitzgerald
(WRONG song for a wedding! hahaha!)

Birth of Child: "Find me a man" Toni Braxton
(great song- uh, WRONG catagory!)

Final Battle: "Gospel medley"- Destiny's Child
(if it's the final battle I guess I need the Lord!)

Funeral Song: "So in love with you" - Al Green

End Credits: "For Real" Amel Larrieux

Because I did not cheat-
some of the songs certainly didn't go with
the categories... but Oh well!! hahahaha!

SANGINDIVA~

AUDIO BLOG!! AUDIO BLOG!!! : )

2006-11-21T02:28:00.000-08:00

powered by ODEO

(PRESS THE GRAY TRIANGLE)

Hi Everybody!!

I MISS YOU!!!

I have gotten all of the e-mails, texts, IM's and phone calls :)
I even got 4 e-mails asking me what my talking voice
sounds like...
um, o.k. : ) hahaha!
because of this- in addition to my pictures-
I am doing an audio blog!!!

I had to hurry up and blog
before yall started throwing stones!!!

So where did I leave off?

Oh yeah... N. Carolina.

Wow! That was so long ago...
Of course the show went well!

Here are some pics from that show:
(You can always click on any pic to enlarge)

(Jeffrey Osborne, Bill Sharpe, Me, Tony Maiden)

I so *heart* Tony Maiden!!
Not only is he a GEMINI genius-
He plays that guitar so great it's just...
other worldly!!

Tony is the founder of the group
that put Chaka on the map- Rufus.
That's him in the hat from back in the day...

You can also catch these two (Bill and Tony)
playing with Dave Koz- for all you smooth jazzers.

Moving On...

You know the Sangindiva is a workaholic-
If I am not on the road I am singing SOMEWHERE!
It doesn't matter what genre of music-
country, pop, rock , gospel, jazz etc.-I do it!
So on my few "days off " I was in the studio :)
I've been working with Hip-Hop artists in English...

(Crazy Cuz, Me, Butch Cassidy)

ANNND in Spanish! (Siempre Representando!!!)

(The Homegirl Flakiss and Crew)

Flakiss is crazy popular in the Latin hip- hop circles
and is working on album #3.

Let's see what else...

Oh! then I had a show in Miami.

(Me waking up from a nap in my trailer)

The show was at this HUGE plantation mansion,
and the weather was like Cali (in the fall!!)
HOT and BEAUTIFUL!! Can you say 85 degrees!
The set up was right on the water...
Oh! the stories I could tell!! hahaha!

But I won't! : )

A few of my friends were at this show too,
but this is the only picture I took because
I was tryin' to get my party on...

THEN...

Because of all of the tours
(Fantasia, Jamie Foxx, Ne-yo etc.)
that are being put together right now
EVERYBODY (and I mean EVERYBODY)
from producers to superstars-
is in L.A. for rehearsals...
When all of the working musicians in L.A.
come home we PARTY!!

The other night after our rehearsals
we went to Cozy's in Sherman Oaks, CA.
And turned it into an all-star Jam session!
We took turns playing and singing. It was magical.

I won't even TRY to post all my pics
but I'll hip you to my main crew...

(Me and George Johnson)
GREAT drummer-Known him since we were 15,
the first one in our crew to turn pro-I was the second!!
And we toured w/ Patti Labelle together.
He currently plays with Fantasia.

(Me and Felix "dat Kat")

I heart Felix!! He is so sweet! A great drummer
who currently plays for Lionel Richie.
We've done a few stateside shows in the jazz world.

(Me and Dave B!!!)

I knew Dave but really got to know him
when we were with Anthony Hamilton.
Hey is a FANTASTIC keyboard player and still plays w/Ant.
Oh! the road stories I could tell... but I won't!

Gorden Campbell (taking his turn @ Cozy's)

MAN! Gordo and I have traveled the WORLD together!
Denmark, Russia, Japan...the list could go on for days!
Oh the stories I could tell!! Gordo works with EVERYBODY!
He currently is Neyo's M.D. and is also M.D. for
Jessica Simpson.

(Me, Jubu (in grey)and Eric (in blue) Smith)

Jubu -guitar and Eric bass-are brothers.
I met Jubu @ a George Duke album session,
I know E from Lalah Hathaway's Band.
I forget who Jubu is playing for right now,
But E is with Lalah and Fantasia- Work that double dip E!!

Me and Monet'

In this male dominated business-
I'm glad I have a homie in crime...Miss Monet'!!
This girl can sing her butt off! And she's from the bay too!
(Oaktown HOLLA!!) She currently is with Goapole.

(Chaz, Me and Day-Day)

Chaz and I go way back... our mothers know each other.
You guys might know him as an actor-
but ol' boy can SANG 4 REAL!
(Speaking of acting- Make sure to catch him tonight
(Mon. 11/21/06)on that new series "The Game" w/the Maury twin.)
Day-Day is my homie and a great drummer too!
Dang! I forget who is playing for... I wanna say
Bobbie Valentino but don't quote me.

O.k.

I hope you all forgive me for not blogging.
I will be around reading, catching up,
and saying hello so that you know I still love yall.

SANGINDIVA~

Tuesday Tales...

2006-10-24T04:20:00.000-07:00

Hey Yall : )
I miss you guys!!
As usual- I'll be on blog patrol-
checking out everyone's blogs
and catching up on what you all
have had going on this past week!

I had 1 day home to re-pack in between my last trip-
and this one. So I re-packed my bag...
and hit the town because ISHA MADE me go out!!!
(well... I was only a hostage for like 3 mins...
then I became a willing participant! hahaha!)
We went over the hill (the valley) to a place called Cafe Cordiale.

There was a really cool band...

Then of course I took a picture of her...

And she took one of me...

And fun times were had by all!!

I've been on the road... of course : )
and the road is not without it's challenges!

I don't know what the heck is going on
with the United States Aviation System-
but it is officially operating on the
other side of RIDICULOUSNESS!!!

WHY??? does every dang plane you get on
have some sort of mechanical problem!?! BOO!
In this post I once again must tell God-
"thank you"- because he spared my life... AGAIN!

(Since this was exactly one week after my last
"airplane near death experience" I am CERTAIN
that I have a purpose!)

Anyone who has even flown on a plane knows the drill.

“In the unlikely event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure,
the panels above your head will automatically open…
yada, yada, yada…
grasp the mask firmly and breathe naturally…
yada, yada, yada…
your mask may not inflate but oxygen IS flowing…”

I'm on my way to Chicago,
we've been in the air about 10 mins.
I fly so much I can just feel when something isn't right...
I don't feel the airplane pressure on my chest,
My ears are popping abnormally,
I'm burping like I just drank a case of ginger ale...
Then we hear:
"Ah, Ladies and Gentlemen, we're losing cabin pressure,
we're gonna go on and turn around back to the airport
before we "LOSE THE CABIN"-
Flight attendants prepare for landing..."

POP!

Um... "Lose the cabin?" o...k...
People were too scared to scream after that!!
All you could hear was the wheezing of folks trying
to suck air from their masks!! It was crazy!!
I know one thing for sure- from now on-
I will ALWAYS pay attention to the safety video! hahaha!

Anyway, the show went well.
I didn't take any pics with my own camera-
but these were sent to me by Ann Marie!

(Mikey, Doug, Me, Scott)

(Me, Scott -our sound engineer)

After a few other towns and cities (private shows- no pics)
We ended up at the Atlanta Civic Center for
the Tom Joyner Morning Skyshow.
We had to be there at 4 AM and do a show at 6 AM.
Now yall KNOW I'm NOT a morning person!! BOO.

(J. Anthony Brown, Me, Tom Joyner)

Well Family-
I'll be home 3 days
and then I'm off to Salem, N. Carolina...
So let me get my read on!

SANGINDIVA~

Show N' Tell and all the other randomness...

2006-10-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

Hey Yall-
I have decided that my blogging funk is over!
To celebrate this I will play Show' n Tell- (the grown up way)
because there is alot of stuff to Show and Tell you!
This is also a random post because...
well just cuz! Let's get started shall we?

I'm going to start off with a BIG fat Praise the LORD!!
becaise God spared my life on this last trip.
He we are sitting in this little bitty teenie weenie
prop plane and then BAMMMMMMM!
BOOOOOOMMMM! POOOOOWWWW!
AHHHHHHHHH!!! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!
WE'RE FLIPPING OVER!! AHHHHH!

We got caught and hit by the biggest thunderstorm
and lightning. Our keyboard player saw the storm
when it was on the side of us and recorded a lighting
show on his camera- it was amazing... until it hit us.
The pilot never warned us and the attendant was crying...
The pilot was so shook he damn near fell out of the sky landing,
I left my jacket on the plane I was trying to get off so fast,
ANNND since it was so late when I got there-
I had the driver take me to anything open...
and good ol' Wendy's got me sick as a dog!!
It was waaaay deep. I can't even speak on it anymore so...
Praise the Lord.

MOVING ON...

The show went well. It was sooooo cold- surprisingly.
And of course I don't have a coat anymore so I was freezing!
Here I am playing around before the show-

(I dont remember what we were doing but
I was clownin' around and Joey snapped this)

And because we allll were so freaked out (STILL)
we hit the bar in a MAJOR way.
I took bar pics with some of the folks around me...

(Me and C.C. our bass player)

(Me and Doug our backline tech)

(Me and Mikey our road manager)

(Me and my homegirl Malania)

I have other photos in the crypt... but some of the
folks did NOT want to be on the blog looking as
SMASHED as they were so I'm respecting that.
I went a couple of other places (Houston, Detroit)
But they were private and I didn't take pics.

Anyway,
Tuesday night I wanted to feel the energy of Hollywood
in all it's glory so GLAM and I hit the town and went to
The Belmont. Ms. Thang knows all the Hollywood hotspots!

As we celebrated life, our industry jobs, freedom-
(hell-you name it- it was celebrated)
we were Grey Goose Martini Princesses and the belles of our ball.
In our rock girl jeans, 4 inch stilettos and cashmere sweaters...
MAN! Grown and Sexy personified : )

We laughed...

And ate...

and I felt fabulous!

Then...
Yesterday I had a studio session with George Duke.
(I also am the singer for the George Duke band.)
Mr. George as (he hates but) I love to call him is
just a music Genius! I so heart him!

(George Duke and Eric Zobler)

(Me and "Mr" George)

(Me in the booth)

Eric Zobler is one of THE BEST recording engineers
in the business! Of the top 10 he's like 4 or something like that.
And he's pretty fun too!

Ok now That I have updated yall-
this W.C.G. (west coast girl) is OUT!

SANGINDIVA~

Snapping out of it...

2006-10-05T21:47:00.000-07:00

So obviously- I have been in an "I'm not blogging" funk...
It must have been SUPER obvious because
Glam called and e-mailed me about it!

I have plenty to blog about- I just didn't feel like doing it :)
I just came from Atlanta for the National Black MBA conference...

(I snapped this in the car)

Now let me honest- I was SO not there for the job fair! hahaha!
It was an excuse to get my party on, spend some time with friends,
and just get away from Cali :)

(ME!!)

I actually didn't take lots of pics because I thought I had left
my camera at home- but here is on of me and my girl Roxanne.
She too, is a FABULOUS, GEMINI GENIUS!!! Man... we ROCK!

(Me and Roxanne - after the Grey Goose & Juice)

(Roxanne and her cousin Chris)

The next day, after 4 days in the ATL-
I went to a gathering for my homegirl Alexx Daye :)

She was on her way to Australia to sing in an Elvis review.
Since she won't be home for her birthday we celebrated
that too!

(Me, Simone, and Alexx)

(*Alexx's Husband* Jeff, Me and Khalil)

(Jeff's Dad and Me)

Fun times were had by all :)

I am now in Charleston, South Carolina... working.
Have a great weekend!

SANGINDIVA~

The Randomness...

2006-09-26T04:58:00.000-07:00

Hi Yall...

I must first start off this random post
by asking you to forgive me...
because I just have NOT been feeling like blogging.
No. REALLY. The Diva has been on the LAZY train.

I mean there is always something fabulous going on
in the Sangindiva's life, but since I don't mix my
blog biznass (work) with my private biznass-
I ain't been havin' much ta say.

Well... that's not really true.

(Me@ the Huntington Beach Jazz Fest.)

I never told yall about the show in Cali
that Isha came to. ------> Here is her take on it.

(Me and Isha)

(Me and my Mama )

Or how I've been perfecting my craft by studying
piano, brushing up on my sight reading skills (reading music)
while working and hanging out with classical musicians like:

Bob- who plays french horn for the L.A. Philharmonic

And the String *Divas* Quartet...

(Cello and 2nd Violin)

(1st Violin and Viola)

Or how I hooked up with mi amorcito de Panama on Sunday.

(El Pana- Siempre representando!!)
He plays for the Globetrotters now...but we go back WAAAY before that.
We hadn't seen each other in a minute. So we kicked it hard like we do.
There was a lot of spanish speakin' and drinkin' (shhh.) hahaha!
We both travel a helluva lot- but when we finally catch up-
we compare stories and places that we've been.
He's on his way to India and I'm kinda jealous cuz I haven't been there... yet!

Tan Papi,
Este es mi mensaje a usted:
Vendré siempre cuando usted me llama...
Tendremos siempre la vida de Panama y amor de Panama :)
Abrazos, besos, y recorridos seguros.

Sangindiva~

Tell All Tuesday...

2006-09-19T04:30:00.000-07:00

Hey yall :)
Grab your coffee and have a seat-
It's tell all Tuesday!
I hope you all had a great weekend.
I was in Trenton, NJ for their Jazz Festival.

Getting to Jersey was an ordeal because they were
having bad weather and my plane was delayed
for 2 hours. I had to fly into Newark and then
drive an hour and change to get to Trenton.
(Well I didn't drive but you know what I mean) :)

(Hangin' out in Jersey)

It was raining cats and dogs for 2 days and then
like magic- on the day of the festival it just STOPPED.
It was so sunny and pretty I couldn't believe it.
But it was soooo HUMID!! Ugh! All my curls went flat!

The line-up was pretty nice.
Besides their local talent, the bill featured:
KEM, Brian Culbertson, Jeffrey Osborne and Pieces of a dream.

Here are some pics of me and some the band backstage.

(Me, Joey and Kevin)

(Me and Frankie)

(Darrell, Kevin and CeCe)

On Sunday I got up to take a walk around
and happened to turn down a street with some
little girls jumping double dutch.
I LOVE ME SOME DOUBLE DUTCH!!!
And I can STILL jump like crazy!!

I told them I would turn for them if they let
me jump... Yall know the jumpin' rules!

They were really surprised that I could jump so well-
so they ran inside to get another cousin to see such mastery!

And a fun time was had by all! :)

"1...2...3... HAVE A NICE TRIP!!!"
they all yelled in unison as I walked down
the street back towards my hotel...

Sangindiva~

Weekend Relax...

2006-09-15T05:38:00.000-07:00

Hey Yall-

It's Friday! Time to kick up your heels and relax :)

Everyone relaxes differently.

Maybe to you relaxing means:

Hittin' the club wit' yo' girls,

or

Gettin' yo' spade, Uno or domino on
with some friends,

You might have a get together to celebrate life,

or chill by yourself-
cuz it's a blockbuster night...

Maybe this might be the time to try
some of the 50 million products you buy :)

Maybe it's:

hangin' out and gettin yo' study on-

or cookin' for your man
since on the weekend-he's home.

However you relax,
and what ever you do-
enjoy your weekend and be safe too!

Sangindiva~

The Great White Hope?

2006-09-13T03:24:00.000-07:00

I was reading a post done by Mwabi ----> (Click here for post)
about an article in Essence magazine.
The article was about a black man saying he
only dates white girls but will marry a black woman
when he is ready to settle, blah, blah, blah.

This post isn't about him and his theory-
But his concept got me to thinking.
Most of the time when we think of interracial dating
we think Black man, White woman.

But I am wondering about us women-
Most of us as black women (myself included)
are on the "say no to the white man" "train.
Why is this?
(NOT that I am advocating dating
the white boy... although if he rolled through
I WOULD keep the nip/tuck Doctor Troy!!)

(Julian McMahon aka Dr. Troy)

My point is why do we not take the same liberties
as our male counterparts on this issue?

Is it the social stigma? Is it fear? Is it distaste?
Has it been pounded so hard into our psyche
that we are the backbone of our race that we
don't dare cross that line out of obligation?

I am sought out and approached my white men
ALL.THE.TIME.
For some reason- I am their Diva fantasy.
They are always, respectful, kind, VERY affluent,
and VERY generous- BUT I still have never given in.

An associate of my mother's (white man) told her
when he saw me-
"Mama Diva, Sangindiva is very beautiful. A white man
would take care of her very well."
Mama Diva must have given him the "how dare you say
something so blasphemous" look, because he then said:
"Mama Diva, There is nothing wrong with a white man.
He would treat her good and take care of her well..."

My homegirl said:
Sangindiva, let's face reality-
White men are BRED to take care of their women.
They are expected to pamper and spoil her.
White women are given opportunities,
whereas we black women have to make and TAKE ours.
The only ones who approach me are the ghetto n****s-
you betta' TAKE the opportunity to live the white life...

Would you consider being with a white man
"living the white life"? What do you think of this?

Sangindiva~

In Remembrance...

2006-09-11T00:26:00.000-07:00

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

Sangindiva~

Aiight- I'm Back...

2006-09-05T23:55:00.000-07:00

I know I took more than an acceptable break-
but I needed it! I just had to take a blogging break
because this thing called LIFE had to be put in check :)

I have so much to tell yall!!
So let's get started shall we?

I'm going to start with the most recent events
and move backward...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GLAM!!!

(Birthday Girl- Glam)

Yes, my friend and fellow blogger Ms. Ahmad
had a prime time birthday on Monday!

I can't even BEGIN to tell you the names of all
the spots we hit up because SHE is the hollywood
queen who knows ALL of the spots to go to :)

We started off at her house and fought about what
she was going to wear...
and finally came to a happy medium :)
She looked so hot! Don't you agree?

(Glam lookin' sex-say)

Then we were off to the first spot where
we met up with Kai for drinks...

(Glam, Me, Kai)

Then we moved the party to another spot for dinner-
I wish I knew the names of these fabulous places-
but if I took the time to research them,
I'll NEVER get this post finished!
(Maybe Glam will tell you the names in her post...)

Now to be honest,
I was so busy eating and running my mouth
I really didn't take a lot of pics at dinner but
It was at an excellent Italian spot with GREAT food.
I missed getting a picture of Tiffany but I did get a
picture of one of the couples who came by
(although I don't remember their names... my bad)

After dinner our "core group" moved the party to the
Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.
That place was so L.A. FABULOUS!!
The pool was sparkling, the palm trees were swaying
in the warm Hollywood air... it was just the place for 3 Divas!

Through out the course of the night we met 2 other
beautiful ladies and invited them to join our party...
Manal and Jeany. They were just as talented and fabulous
as we were! We are SO gonna all get together again :)
AND Jeany is a BLOGGER!! (but she is on Xanga)

(Glam, Manal, Jeany, Kai)

A fantastic time was had by all!

(Jeany, Kai, Me, Glam)

Damn it feels good to be fabulous- wouldn't you agree?!

O.k.

The night before- I had just gotten home from the road...
I must admit (once again) that my photo journalism skills
were a little bootleg this trip because I was SUPER busy...
but I do have a few :)

I was in Santa Fe, NM but I don't think I took ANY from that trip...
Oh! I found one from the tour bus-

Then I moved on to umm... Baltimore, no, first I went to
La Costa, CA. That was just a crazy night!
Joey's daughter came too- isn't she beautiful?
She is soo cool and has a fashion style that is KRAZY!
We are SO going shopping together! :)

(Joey and Brandi)

(Me and Brandi backstage)

Then I jet setted my way on to Baltimore, MD.
On Jet-BOO airlines. They triple suck and I will
NEVER fly them again. I am too sleepy to go into
the long story of why... But just say NO to Jet BOO!

Anyway here I am...

Gettin' my travel on...

At that show (B-more) I met GLAM'S baby sister and husband!!
(Yes- it's her REAL sister!) She is sooo beautiful and has
the sweetest laugh! I heart her :)
Aren't they the cutest couple?!?!
(Miss Azizah, I won't forget your pics or cd-I promise)

(Before the show)

(After the show w/ me and Joey)

My homegirl Alena came through too...

You can't see them- but she was rockin' the flyest
pair of jeans!!! She hipped me to a boutique to check
out on Melrose... I WILL be making my way there! :)

Ok yall,

I think you have been sufficiently updated...

so I'm OUT!!

Sangindiva~

Commercial Break...

2006-08-29T00:46:00.000-07:00

I'm taking a commercial break.
See yall in a few days.

Sangindiva~

Friends... How Many of Us Have Them?

2006-08-23T00:43:00.000-07:00

There was a time when it seemed like I had a
smorgusboard of friends...
I mean it was like I was the friend magnet-
for all different types of friends.

Like:

Friends that would steal your man,
Friends that would backstab you,
Friends that would stab you in the forehead,
Friends that would talk behind your back,
Freinds that would talk about you to your face,
Friends that would tell lies TO and ON you...
Friends that should NOT be your friends.

As I got older and dare I say- wiser-
I changed friends...
and the number of them became much smaller.

I have one friend in particular-
who is my oldest friend.
We have known each other since we were 13.

She is the sweetest, funniest, down to earth
person I know.

( Hey P- She's the one who told me!! )

(Me and Annisa having miso soup and sushi)

We are ladies who lunch and shop. (OFTEN!!)
We have shared tears and secrets,
milestones and setbacks,
problems and playgrounds (with our boys)
to beauty tips and break-ups...

It is good to have friends that are TRUE and REAL.

So blogger fam my question for you is-

FRIENDS- How many of us have them?
Tell me about it...

Sangindiva~

Dirty House? ... Clean it up!

2006-08-21T03:33:00.000-07:00

It is not a secret to anyone who knows me
that I am NOT NEAT!
ANNND I'm really spoiled -but that's another post :)

My point is is that my house has gotten to the point
of damn ridiculous! I mean REALLY.

There comes a time when you are tired of walking over
piles of clothes and shoes.
A time when you say to yourself -
"Self - get your lazy azz up and clean up!"
A time when you are disgusted by your own filth...

THIS. IS. THAT. TIME.

Today I am going on a full out house cleaning campaign!
FOR REAL!! I'm going to SCRUB AND CLEAN!!

(but not THIS clean- scrubbin' walls ain't my thang)

I have 3 suitcases in the middle of the floor.
(full suitcases mind you...)

(no, this is NOT my house)

I need to get my wash on-

And clean my dirty room...

(no, this is NOT my room)

I live in hotels-so when I come home,
it seems like the maid should clean up
for me here too!

I don't know why I just don't hire someone.
GLAM and ISHA BOTH have one.
Why am I playin'? I'm the Sangindiva-
WHY DA' HELL AM I CLEANIN'?

O.K. It's official- I'm callin'...

A MAID!!!

Sangindiva~

Mommy Break...

2006-08-18T00:41:00.000-07:00

Aiight I know I have been slackin' on my blogging,
my returning phone calls, and my overall keeping in touch...

BUT I promise you I have a good reason!

My son is home and we've been hangin' HARD !
(My little one lives away for school and is home on break.)
We went to Medieval Times last night- It was GREAT!
He is still talking about it hahahaha! GO GREEN KNIGHT!!!

So anyway-
I am on Mommy Break.
That means: I'm around... just invisible! hahaha!

Huh?... What's that you say?
Oh! *surprise face* well of course!!!
Of course I will leave you with pictures from my last trip!
*No need to thank me* ( ;

After the D, we traveled to Memphis...
but played at the Horseshoe Casino in Tunica.
This was the place where there was NO INTERNET. BOO.
How can a place not have the internet?
Then again, casino's don't want you sitting
on the internet... They want you at a slot machine
LOSIN' ALL YO' MONEY! (bastards!!)

Anyway here I am at sound check.

I must say- although Janet Jackson
wore this shirt a few weeks ago for a radio
interview- I HAD IT FIRST!!!!

ANNND I wore it for the first time at our 2nd
WCBH meeting! --------> SEE??!!

At the Horseshoe backstage-

And of course up close hahaha!

After two days there we moved on to Dallas, TX.
This was a private show for the Dallas chapter
of the Urban League. It was one HUGE party :)

These pics are from after the show-

Me and Joey....

and um... me! hahaha :)

Have a great weekend yall!

Sangindiva~