Here We Go Again: Warriors 2.0

Congratulations! The Warriors did something that had never been done in NBA history. They became the winningest team ever and lost a 3-1 lead in the NBA finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers. To make matters worse, less than a month later during the free agent frenzy Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant announced that he would sign with the Golden State Warriors. Talk about a consolation prize.

The Rio Olympics were awesome, we watched as Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson play organized basketball together for the first time. And, then, pre-season opened. The Warriors would be returning 8 members from last season and will ultimately fill the 15-man roster with 7 new guys, thank God most will be veterans like David West and Zaza Pachulia; though he is not officially on the team, I sure do hope JaVale McGee makes the final 15-man roster, because if for nothing else he’ll be sure to make the NBA bloopers reel *this is where I would plug a certain segment on a certain tv show, but they’re not paying me*.

Moving along, Steve Kerr now has the most complex yet amazing job ever in life. I’m talking better than Phil coaching Jordan or Kobe. But what grinds my gears most is all the buzz about how the Warriors will fair with so many changes and superstars in the 2016 – 2017 season. Well, let’s see, for starters, the Warriors have the last 3 league MVPs and a cast of players who are concerned about 1 thing: winning. I mean seriously, players who are more concerned about individual stats have no place on the Warriors. Andre Iguodala- who is a starter by merit should be the league’s reigning 6th Man of the Year. Clearly, he understands what’s for the greater good. And, to be honest, the Warriors second team looks better than other teams’ starters, believe me *Trump hands*. Read More

#PlayLikeTheBoys: Trilly Jean x The Ziggy Zone

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Women are typically excluded in sports conversations. Comedians relish in jokes of women “disturbing” men during their favorite sports game.

The Ziggy Zone is a place where women can experience sports talk, from the novice to the expert. Ziggy gives a voice to women in male sports. Adding sports depth, Trilly Jean & The Ziggy Zone collaborated to show that girls can also #playliketheboys.

Be sure to check out The Ziggy Zone.

Review: Guilty Pleasures

guilty pleasures

Guilty Pleasures is “all gems, no requests” and a DJs paradise. A collaboration between AfroaDJiak and DJ Red Corvette, GP is where the DJs vibe and the crowd simply rides the wave. There is no format. Trap, club, reggae, bounce,  afrobeat, r&b and even some pop favorites.

The monthly event is a pure energy exchange. Weaving through genres and decades in the cozy space that is 25 Maiden Lane located in San Francisco, California. But don’t fret, this event is gearing up to be a mobile, touring good time. The two women joined forces to show female unity and live the concept by seeking various female artists to create visual art work for their projects. Event aside the duo has also curated a mixtape series. GP are you with me?

Both DJs specialize in crowd movement and compliment each other well.  They stay true to the thought that music is the ultimate unifier. Throughout the night everyone was so engulfed in the energy that the DJs were also participants not just orchestrators. I was able to catch up with both ladies for a brief interview detailing how they came together, what Guilty Pleasures is about, the need for female unity in the industry and more! Check it out below. Be sure to check DJ Red Corvette and afroDJiack for Guilty Pleasures Volume 1 &2 annnd future events from both of these 2 trill jeans.

Review: IAMSUMMER Tour with The HBK Gang

Friendship is like any other relationship and is cultivated through trial, error, love, forgiveness and dedication. The story of HBK Gang is no different. Friends from Richmond, CA (not VA) grew a brotherhood that now enables them to live their dreams touring around the country. Pushing their talents to the forefront each member promotes a cohesive individually that has attracted fans by the hundreds of thousands.

The IAMSummer tour slide through San Francisco August 27th, 2016 that featured a line up of: Dave Steezy, Skipper, Show Banga, Kool John, and finished with headliner IAMSU!. Energy was high, or maybe the contact in the venue made it feel that way. Though under the banner of HBK each member rep their own initiatives. In a world where individuality usually separates, in the world of HBK it unifies them.

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5 Tips to Survive Being 30 & Childless

Growing up young mothers were shunned. They are the example of what not to do with your life as a girl. As a woman a few weeks into 30 with no children, I did everything right (according to society’s standards). I am 30 and childless and now society is looking at me like, “what’s wrong with you, girl?

With my social media timelines filled with weddings, baby showers, and kid promotion ceremonies I am beginning to feel overwhelmed with FOMO (fear of missing out). My life is barley together as is, adding a partner and a child to that equation just might equal disaster. Summer is approaching which should remedy FOMO for women in my same boat. So here’s a few tips to survive being 30 & childless.

1. Take Trips.

Travel is known to reduce anxiety. Whether alone or in a group take a trip. Depending on where you are located it might only be a few cities over but the freedom to go as you wish and a change of scenery is good for the mind. If your employment and wallet permits check with a travel agent, Groupon, or Travel Noire for more elaborate trips. Or simply head to the mecca of party, Las Vegas! There is always something going on no matter the day. It is flooded with other singles, semi-singles (what happens there stays there), and soon-to-be-singles (when what happened there follows you home).

2. Invest in Yourself.

Whether it’s adding extra money to your retirement, a new pair of shoes or setting aside funds to start your dream business. There are always areas in life where you can use a little sprucing up. It is okay to be selfish, sometimes. You’d be surprised how a facial or even new clothes can be a huge pick-me-up. Appreciate yourself. Do something that makes you feel good. You can’t be good to anyone else if you aren’t good to yourself… so they say.

3.Take a Mental Break

Stimulates yo’ mind, Craig. Not necessarily in that way. Life is stressful enough due to outside factors, don’t add to it with worrisome and non productive thoughts. Easier said than done but there are activities that can help. Exercise is a great tool to help relieve stress and tension. Even if you end up sore the next day a good sweat can do wonders. Irregardless of how you choose to exercise (traditional gym,  home aerobics,  or extra curricular) get it in. Meditation, prayer, positive affirmations can also help free up clutter of the mind. And best of all, its free! Get some sticky notes and love notes to yourself. Seeing them around your space will give your brain a break from self-inflicted criticism.

 

4. Volunteer with a Youth Program.

If you go back and forth with the idea of having children or simply want to test drive before you buy, spend some time with a group of kids. You will be exposed to the various personalities and challenges children pose. The beauty is you gain experience without all the major responsibilities. And if it doesn’t work out to your liking they go home to their real guardians. It is also an opportunity to give back. Win, win, right?

5. Celebrate!

You made it, childless! Whatever road you choose, whichever path you take, trust your journey. With or without children someone will always have an opinion about what you should be doing.


Some of these tips suggest that you spend money and that’s because once you have a family (in the many forms they come), you won’t have any for yourself! That is unless you’re Beyonce or Oprah.

A Woman & A Mother

yo, mama

It’s Mother’s Day, and there has been various posts all over social media of people praising and berating their mothers. The internet is a cruel place. I wanted to write a piece. Like to hear it, here it goes!
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A mother is supposed to be warm, kind, soft, forgiving, nurturing, selfless, and loving. That is not always the case. They are not unicorns. They are not one dimensional. They have soldiered many wars. And many times live with the scars.

There are lies told to children through books and television about how our mothers will be. Your mother will not be a June Cleaver, or Claire Huxtable. Sometimes she is Sethe- living in the wounds of her past. Hating you and loving you simultaneously, beloved. Or she may not see you at all, clipping your wings and throwing you from the nest leaving you and your prayers in the wind.

Chances are the world was not fair to her. It brought about survival in her. The survival that would be passed down for you to live in that same world. Maybe you were the husband’s prize and now the mere sight of you reminds her of the man she once loved but now causes her so much pain. Ugh, you look just like yo daddy. Passive aggressive insults.

She had to move on toward her future but her past is still in tow. History repeats itself, decade after decade, man after man. She is a woman, not just a mother. She has needs- romantic love, intimacy, companionship. Mama gotta have a life too! Irregardless, you will still need her, crave her womb, want to be coddled, serenaded, lulled, protected.

Exodus 20:12 tells us that we should honor our mothers. So, we should in all of their imperfection, pain, and malevolence because we may one day fill their shoes and carry their burdens.

Mood: Food – My Two Cents

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On a recent trip to L.A. I had the pleasure of dining at My Two Cents. The restaurant opened in 2013 by french trained head chef, Alisa Reynolds.  Their tag line “from the soil to your soul” explains her twist on traditional soul food. Imagine all the deliciousness of your favorite soul food but its vegan, gluten free, or just overall more healthy!

A group of gal pals and I waited for My Two Cents (M2C) to open and there was an immediate line 15 minutes prior to opening. We were able to grab a table before there were none in the quaint space. Looking over the menu, while waiting to order, I immediately selected my favorites, shrimp & grits and Mac & Cheese. But there was one problem. The Mac & Cheese was gluten free and the noodles were made of quinoa. I am far from a “healthy” eater and the lack of gluten never appealed to me. I joked about ordering the Mac with all the gluten.

We were waited on by a familiar set of twins and upon announcing our first visit a roar came from all the staff: “First tim-ers!” and a array of welcomes followed by clamoring of pots and pans. He took his time to answer questions, gave recommendations and made notable small talk. We sat and waited for our food and a familiar sound caught my ears, Lil’ Kim’s “Not Tonight.” I wanted to cry. Yes, I’m dramatic. What establishment do you know plays classics like that? It was nostalgic. Alisa became my auntie in that moment. The food came out in wooden bowls and serving dishes, the same bowls and plates my mom had in the 90’s. I was officially at home.

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Review: Trap Karaoke Bay Area Edition II

photostudio_1461037584949With all that’s going on in the world and the various assaults on POC happening all over the world some time you just need to be in the presence of your people in a positive setting, on one accord. That’s Trap Karaoke.

Pioneered by Jason Mowatt, Trap Karaoke is the DJ playing your favorite song and breaking the track to let you and the crowd recite the punchline… for 4 hours. Its a traveling family reunion full of cousins you’ve never met. Hosted by LowKey but co-hosted by local significant figures, in our case DNas (Fresh Steps, Streets Is Talking Radio) the experience is almost spiritual.

Cousiiiin! -Lucky (Tupac)

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