Thoughts I'd Like To Share...

This has been a truly wonderful weekend! Vacations are supposed to make you feel renewed and refreshed and this one did.  The Essence Festival is all about empowerment and this one certainly was.  At the very awesome concert last night they announced that this year was huge for them, maybe the biggest in 19 years.  I enjoyed taking in all the sights and sounds and smells.  I enjoyed immersing myself in the culture. This year we determined that we were going to focus on making all the concerts and we did.  I am happy for this decision because they were all awesome.  Whatever your opinion of Beyonce is, she is fantastic in concert. She actually shut the Superdome down last night. While we are going back to reality today, I will cherish these memories for a lifetime.  Live your life as if there is no tomorrow because tomorrow is not promised.  I have to mention my friend again because he is always on my mind and especially today, what would have been his 44th birthday… Happy Birthda

Friday morning started with a nice, leisurely and totally free breakfast at the hotel.  The weather was not favorable for spending much time outside until this afternoon so it was the perfect opportunity to spend the day exploring the exhibits.  Fortunately, there was quite a bit going on inside the convention center at the Essence Empowerment Experience.  For example, MSNBC is broadcasting many of their shows directly from the convention center.  It was enjoyable seeing people like Al Sharpton, Alex Wagner and Chris Matthews up close.  There was an opportunity to take pictures with them and get books signed but honestly, I just didn’t have the patience. It seemed as though every large exhibit had a disc jockey spinning tunes.  This led to a great deal of noise and it also made me think about my friend… the late, great, DJ Saxwell.  I had the opportunity to dance and attempt to learn a new line dance.  Not much luck with the latter…  They were giving away a lot of things for free inc

Today started out very early in Orlando and ended very late in New Orleans.  We got to the airport on time for a change. No “mad dash” through the airport. No sprained ankles running to catch a plane that is about to leave without us (long story, maybe I’ll explain at some point).  It was a laid back kind of day.  I’m certain tomorrow will be different.  We spent today getting settled in and getting prepared for the mass influx of humanity that is sure to follow on Friday. I’m going to hit the sack now and rest for this non-stop weekend that’s about to start.  I watched the fireworks display from my hotel room.  I ate a “tv dinner” from the hotel store.  Tomorrow we will get seafood and we will consume large amounts of alcohol.  What the hell, we don’t have to drive anywhere… Tomorrow I will post more pictures of my amazing weekend! Fireworks display through the window... The bar is open