Gone but not forgotten... Gregory Hines

Tap dancer, actor, director, musician. Born February 14, 1946 in New York City. Involved in show business at an early age, Hines grew up as a member of Hines, Hines, and Dad alongside his father and older brothers. He studied dance with master tap dancer Henry Le Tang and spent much of his early career dancing at the Apollo Theater, gleaning knowledge from such fellow performers as the Nicholas Brothers and Sandman Sims.

In 1973, he left Hines, Hines, and Dad to form a jazz-rock group called Severance. But the smooth-as-silk tap dancer soon returned to New York where he launched a distinguished Broadway career that won him a Tony award in 1992 for the headlining role in George C. Wolfe's musical tribute Jelly's Last Jam.

In 1981, Hines landed his first film role, as a Roman slave in Mel Brooks' History of the World-Part 1, as a last-minute replacement for an ailing Richard Pryor. That role proved a stepping stone in Hines' film career, and he went on to star in a range of movies, including 1984's The Cotton Club and White Nights opposite Mikhail Baryshnikov the following year. He also exhibited his comedic timing in such films as Renaissance Man in 1994. That same year, he made his directorial debut with Bleeding Hearts.

In 1987, Hines released an album, simply titled Gregory Hines. He also starred in the short-lived CBS sitcom The Gregory Hines Show, in which he played a single father having trouble reentering the dating scene.

Hines has a daughter Daria with his first wife, Patricia Panella. He has a son Zachary and a stepdaughter Jessica with his second wife, Pamela Koslow.

Gregory Hines died of cancer in Los Angeles August 9, 2003 at the age of 57.

Tech Tuesday: The Kyocera Echo

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So is this the big secret Sprint was hiding out? I'll let you be the judge..

Computerworld - What are Sprint and Kyocera up to with the dual-touchscreen Echo smartphone?

The Android 2.2-based Kyocera Echo is a decidedly different take on smartphones, with dual 3.5-in. touchscreens that can be used independently, side-by-side or combined (with 4.7-inches total tablet size, once the two screens slide out on a pivot hinge and are fitted together).

The Echo, which was announced Monday night in New York, will sell sometime in the spring for $199.99 after rebate with a two-year plan and a data upgrade.

In an interview with Computerworld on Tuesday, executives at Sprint and Kyocera said the Echo evolved because both companies saw a big opportunity with a dual-screen device that would allow more effective multitasking for users. That way, both companies could serve a large target market of smartphone customers who make up today's "hyper-tasking culture," said David Owens, vice president of product realization for Sprint.

Also, Sprint wanted a device that cried out "innovative," as the carrier works to improve its third-place rank in the U.S. carrier market behind AT&T and Verizon Wireless, Owens said.

In anticipation of heavy usage, the device comes with a second battery and a case that can be connected to the phone via a Micro USB cable. The full-sized 1370mAH battery, which costs as much as $50, is included in the $199.99 after-rebate cost. When attached to the phone, it charges the main battery, and both can be re-charged from a wall outlet.

Owens wouldn't say whether a single battery charge will power a single feature-length movie on both screens, and said battery specs have not been released.

Well I'm not gonna pretend like i'm excited. As technology evolves so should Sprint and I'm not here for what they are trying to sell. if this is how you plan on competing with AT&T and Verizon.. then you might as well die a slow painful death like T-Mobile and the rest..

So long to yesterday...

Today was a very somber day. My great uncle who just happened to be the same age as my father (my great grand mother and my grand mother were pregnant at the same time). My great grand mother had lots of children lol. Anyway my great uncle "Rock" passed aways today. While death is often a sad occasion in biblical terms death is suppose to be a time to rejoice and be happy that the loved one has moved on the heaven. But today presented a rare very different meaning to me today.


My cousin made me realize that most of the older cousins and mostly aunts and uncles had gotten old. Lots of people had canes and often stumbled when they tried to walk. It saddened me just a little because it made me appreciate the time we have here on earth and the change our bodies and appearance would take up in life. The preacher made a fantastic point that I often thought was true growing up as a child. 

He said "death was something that happened to people who were sick or old".

I too believed that at one point but seeing as how events seem to occur in todays world nothing is like it was yesterday. I'm sure my uncle lead a great life and he'll pass his legacy onto his son who was just eleven years old. While I embrace death its the preparations for the home going service that are always a bit challenging to me. During funerals I tend to sit there in the pew contemplating people who are older than me passing who still may be alive. I know that sounds weird but it's a thought that always runs through my mind. I don't like the way it makes me feel but I know it's something that will eventually happen one day.


I know death is eminent and it's a road we all must endure.. I just pray when yesterday is gone I would have completed the assignment that God has set forth in my life.


Goodbye Yesterday.

#Throwback Thursday Marvin Gaye - What's Going On?

With so much drama in the world I thought this song was only befitting for a Throwback.....


----Blanco

Nina Simone....#BlackHistoryMonth

Singer, musician, composer, arranger, civil rights activist. Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon on February 21, 1933, in Tryon, North Carolina.


She took the stage name Nina Simone—"Nina" came from a nickname meaning "little one" and "Simone" after the actress Simone Signoret. She won over such fans as Harlem Renaissance writers Langston Hughes, Lorraine Hansberry, and James Baldwin.


By the mid-1960s, Simone became known as the voice of the civil rights movement. She wrote "Mississippi Goddam" in response to the 1963 assassination of Medgar Evers and the Birmingham church bombing that killed four young African-American girls


After the assassination of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968, Simone penned "Why (The King of Love Is Dead)." She also wrote "Young, Gifted and Black," borrowing the title of a play by Hansberry, which became a popular anthem at the time.


In her final years, Simone battled with health problems. Some reports indicate she was battling breast cancer, but that claim has not been officially confirmed. She died on April 21, 2003, at her home in Carry-le-Rouet, France.


While she may be gone, Simone left a lasting impression on the world of music. She sang to share her truth, and her music still resonates with great emotion and power. Simone has inspired an array of performers, from Aretha Franklin to Joni Mitchell. Her deep, distinctive voice continues to be a popular choice for television and film soundtracks, from documentaries to comedies to dramas.

Praying For Egypt....

It's really sad at the events that are taking place over in Cairo, Egypt. I can't even fathom what is taking place in what was considered such a beautiful landmark in the world with such rich history. I just hope a resolution can be made real soon because this tragedy is getting worse. I was listening to CNN this morning and they are hoping President Obama steps in and persuades their leader to step down...


While I'm all for diplomacy some matters are just better left untouched. I understand we have thousands of American's still in that country but the United State can't solve the worlds problems and be universal cop. I laid in bed last night and prayed for not only Egypt but for any state affected by the winter weather or the past few days as well as Queensland, Australia. I feel as though we are living in terrible times and now is the time to come together and be one. This is just my rant so don't pay me any mind.


I felt like sharing Janelle Monae's "Cold War" because the song came across my mind as I woke up this morning..

It's Real Serious On The Nile.....

I must say I commend Anderson Cooper for getting into the trenches nearly getting battered and beat down after arriving in Cairo, Egypt. This is what set's him aside from any of the other networks is that Cooper isn't afraid of what's out there. If there is any newsworthy anchor or reporter worth watching then it's this guy right here. 


What's going down in Egypt is a very sad situation and unfortunate for the people and it's government. I've always said I wanted to visit the country one day as I've always been fascinated with the Ancient Egyptian culture. I pray things work out and peace and unity can be restored.


This sometimes makes me think if something like this were to happen here in the states... Wow.

Mike Tomlin makes History...

Mike Tomlin

In honor of Super Bowl XLV Black History Spotlight goes to Mike Tomlin head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Read On.....

Mike Tomlin was named the 16th head coach in Pittsburgh Steelers history on Jan. 22, 2007. Hired at the age of 34, Tomlin became only the third head coach hired by the Steelers since 1969.

He is the tenth African-American head coach in NFL history, and first in Steelers history.

Tomlin became the youngest head coach in NFL history to coach in and win a Super Bowl when he led the Steelers to a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. 

By winning the Super Bowl in only his second season as a head coach, he also became the fastest to win a Super Bowl title in Steelers history.

Tomlin (3/15/72) was born in Hampton, Va. He and his wife, Kiya, have two sons, Dino and Mason and a daughterHarlyn Quinn.

The Return Of Tech Tuesday! Sims 3 Outdoor Living..

Anybody who knows me knows I'm highly addicted to The Sims franchise. I was a junkie from the original. Over the years people simulator has grown astronomically and as of date is the highest selling PC game of all time. Sims 3 which released in 2009 has released several expansion and stuff packs. The recent Outdoor Living Stuff Pack allows Sims to construct the ultimate outdoor experience, complete with all new activities. I've been so busy recently that it wasn't until I was in Wal-Mart today that I saw it on the shelf. So with the recent accomplishments happening I decided to treat myself to something nice...

Black History Month---- 1st Lady Of Jazz

I really enjoyed this last year and I'll be showcasing it again. Highlighting the accomplishments of past African-American men and woman who paved the way and open doors for young people like me today. My mother came up in a era of segregation so it's not as though it happened that long ago. In school it was a huge rite of passage to be educated on people like Martin Luther King, Harriet Tubman, Fredrick Douglas, Mae Jemison, and countless others.


I remember in 12th grade taking up African-American studies an elective thats very absent from classrooms today. So in continuing on with tradition I present to you...

Ella Fitzgerald

A performance at the Apollo Theater’s famed Amateur Night in 1934 set Fitzgerald’s career in motion. Over the next seven decades, she worked with some of the most important artists in the music industry including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie and Frank Sinatra.

She was dubbed “The First Lady of Jazz” for her mainstream popularity and unparalleled vocal talents—even though her less–than–svelte appearance and upbeat singing style was in contrast to the sultry and bluesy female singers of her day. Her unique ability for mimicking instrumental sounds helped popularize the vocal improvisation of “scatting,” which became her signature technique.

Ella recorded over 200 albums and around 2,000 songs in her lifetime, singing the works of some of the most popular composers such as Cole Porter, Gershwin and Irving Berlin.

Ella Fitzgerald died in 1996 at the age of 79, and is remembered as one of the most influential jazz artists of the 20th century.