Book Review: The Vixen Diaries by Karrine Steffans

The Vixen Diaries is a testament of maturity and accountability that the author has accepted during the aftermath of Confessions of a Video Vixen. Karrine recounts the positive and negative reactions from fellow celebrities; newfound financial stability; hypocrisy of Tyra Banks and Donnie Deutsch (both people passively question Hugh Hefner although he has three girlfriends) and the sympathy Oprah shows regarding her story; how speaking to students at historically black college Philander Smith in Arkansas boosts her self-esteem; and regaining custody of her son after having a nervous breakdown; her personal relationships with Bill Maher, Antonio Tarver, Bobby Brown and Ray-J; and the passing of R&B legend Gerald Levert. These experiences helped her overcome her demons.

Karrine reconciles her past and by the end of the novel practices forgiveness for herself and her mother. During her relationship with Antonio Tarver she lets go over her torrid past in Tampa, deciding to blaze a new trail. Furthermore, Ms. Steffans is neither having continual nervous breakdowns after the failure of a relationship nor pulling the covers over her head like the boogeyman is coming to snatch everything away; she possesses solid self-worth thereby no longer defines herself by the man in her life. Most importantly, even with incessant name dropping of past beaus (she reveals Papa as rapper Method Man of the Wu-Tang Clan), Karrine has realized to keep her current love interest secret because sometimes it is best to keep what is private, private. The Vixen Diaries is a complete 180 degree turn from its predecessor, Confessions of a Video Vixen;but in order for Karrine Steffans to survive let alone thrive, she has had to put the mirror to her face and change.

Notes from the Republican All-American Presidential Forum (Why I Will Vote Democratic in 2008!)

I must respond to the Republican accusations that all black people are welfare recipients. Here’s is my summary:

The problems I have with the Republican Party during yesterday's All-American Presidential Forum viewing black people as welfare recipients even though 65% of welfare rolls comprise of white people) and the ardent advocacy for states’ rights in the midst of Jena and the unfair application of the death penalty persists after the conclusion of All-American Presidential Forum at Morgan State University in Baltimore. Moreover, in the prologue of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Why We Can’t Wait he details a married couple, the wife who works as a live-in maid for a family and her husband who is unemployed yet this union possesses two characteristics not present in the Republican nominees’ answers :1) does not result in divorce and 2) result in welfare roll dependency. It amazes me that Duncan Hunter is against DC statehood because the district disallows guns in homes. Further it blows me away that Tom Tancredo asserts that if DC wants to achieve statehood then the part ceded to Virginia should returned and the part ceded to Maryland should be returned. However, West Virginia was a part of, you guessed it, Virginia but it achieved statehood. Then this morning again Tavis Smiley says that we should not have been surprised with the answers we’ve received given whom we are talking. However, this just serves as one more reminder of why I will vote Democratic in 2008!

Progressive

At this stage of my life, I only entertain progressive ideas because my life is about truth and growth. Though I’ve never been childish, turning thirty has accelerated my maturity and significantly reduced my tolerance for ignorance. My time on earth is too precious for any craziness that zaps my joy! I have designated this week as financial advising week because I want to invest and have my money work for me. Well, no sooner did I write that did MSN have an article about women investing. Hmmm, this is affirming! My lifelong goal is to become the first black female Fortune 500 CEO, therefore, I declare war on anything regressive! I am too focused on being progressive!

Opportunity Journal Entry #14: Don't Hate Participate!

The woman on the board of my local economics club asked me if I would volunteer for the annual dinner and council of economic advisors debate! Would I ever? I would be honored because that exposure would help me in so many ways. Although I had missed this Tuesday's class beacuse of my meeting, I will not hesitate to attend the annual luncheon next Tuesday.

At least the debate is Friday morning meaning that I'll get paid because it was career-related! I could incorporate my Toastmasters public speaking skills, treasury management techniques and hobnob with the most prominent people in my field. Viewing this debate would also let me observe how executive economic policy is made. I am humbled by her decision to ask me first because that means that I am emanating positive energy!

Opportunity Journal Entry #13: Aspiring to Be Better

The Department has notified everyone that the Aspiring Leaders Development Program (ALDP) vacancy will open next Friday, September 28, 2007. This time with 16 months under my belt, I know feel confident that I will be chosen for this position! Furthermore, as Treasurer of my Toastmasters, I possess true leadership experience to improve not only my agency but the entire department. Moreover, the ALDP will supply transferable skills to help me handle three other associations' 2008 annual conferences. This presents another opportunity to learn more skills while boosting my pay! I will become a ZP-III economist! :)

Introspection

After viewing singers who’d I grew up listening to MySpace profiles and learned that they had married and moved on I reexamined my personal evolution. I was not 18 but 30, had my own apartment, worked in my major, lived in DC and possessed two degrees. Analyzing my personal and professional progress made me happy and appreciative because many friends and family hadn’t had the same opportunities and sometimes drive that I had. Those artists inspired and motivated me with their songs and I could honesty had said my life would not had as full as it would had been without these songs.

My Kind of Sunshine

Earlier this morning I discussed an apartment problem that I had had ever since moving here calmly with my landlady and it was quietly resolved. She put my name on the maintenance list ensuring that it would rectified. This exchange pinpointed the importance of being cordial when addressing a problem because it yields better results than hollering. People just shut down and problem still persisted. As I mature I realized that life was too hectic to be aggravated over minor mishaps.

A Peek Behind the Curtain

I remembered the stories that my father and his sister would tell me around shooting his bb gun at the residential naked-man who flash them in the projects. Never in a million years would I had thought that the same thing would had happened to me; but, it did and on Massachusetts Avenue of all places. In Washington, DC Mass. Ave. was known as Embassy Row an upscale avenue of embassies. My apartment building sits across the street from the Embassy of Tunisia. On Sunday, I opened my window to take in the view that I paid an extra $15 a month to partake and boy did I get more than what I bargained for because the naked man (actually he was along with a naked woman) were making out in plain view across the street at the Courtyard Marriott. I was in complete disbelief. The naked man got an upgrade and was right across from me. And on Sundays of all days. Since these two love birds did not know that they are publicly displaying their affection for each other in such an urbane environment and numerous residential calls flooded the hotel desk, they quickly pulled the curtains. Sheesh! Have some respect why don’t you?!

Book Review: Giving by Bill Clinton

Former President Bill Clinton’s newest book, Giving, highlights people rich and not-so-rich, who have made a difference in the lives of marginalized communities. Mr. Clinton has a special affinity for the black community and mentions Osceola McCarthy, the elderly woman who after dropping out of high school to care for an aunt, spent the next 57 years washing clothes. During this time she saved over $150,000 which she donated to the University of Southern Mississippi as an endowed scholarship; John Hope Bryant who started the Silver Rights Movement proclaiming the financial empowerment will be the civil rights battle of the 21st Century; and Tavis Smiley, PBS correspondent, author of both The Covenant with Black America and the Covenant in Action, and moderator of the Democratic and Republican All-American Presidential Forums. On pages 130-131 Clinton asserts that the Covenant is “the most comprehensive American model for citizen service I’ve come across also centers on African Americans, but can be adopted by others…I cannot begin to do justice to The Covenant movement, to the power of its inspiration, instruction, and examples.” The former president makes a calculated attempt to round up the black vote for Hillary’s 2008 presidential campaign especially since Barack Obama is the most viable black candidate in ages.

Giving also features philanthropic luminaries such as Bill and Melinda Gates, Bono of U2, William Buffett, who have donated billions of dollars to AIDS victims and undeserved communities. However, with Time magazine’s criticism that Clinton lets the government off easy since his spouse is vying for the presidency because throughout chapter 12 he highlights numerous non-governmental organizations which fill in for government’s absence. He never specifically pinpoints how the federal government, Democratic or Republican, can effectively deliver AIDS medication, reduce climate change and improve education. Even with this daring oversight, Giving, still achieves its feel-good mission to encourage every American to give what he ort she can to improve the betterment of his fellow man.

Opportunity Journal Entry #12: Clarity

Even though my leg muscles are weak and I really do not feel like reviewing math right now, I will still make a concerted effort; the concerted effort paid off because solving four of the Bernoulli problems (two of them on my own) boost my confidence! Now I feel that I can ace this quiz however I will still review this equation and both the general and particular solutions. Starting today whenever I have a problem or want to expand my learning, I will travel to the UDC MAC to work with tutors. Finally, I no longer fear integration. I just have to work on it!

My boss' boss mistakenly sent an invitation to meet regarding promotions and other personnel matters. My ZP-III promotional meeting really shook him enough (He admitted that the current system was unclear!) to schedule one with the program managers. Clear, concise rules would benefit everyone in the division. Furthermore, my speaking out further helped the entire workplace because with the pay-for-performance deadline six weeks away, clarity is important (Although he already acknowledged that I would be getting one!).

Opportunity Journal Entry #11: Speaking the Honest Truth

While giving my seventh speech in the Toastmaster competent communication manual, I have learned that the advanced manuals only have five speeches instead of ten. Therefore, after completing my competent communication manual, I will start an advanced one. Since the 2007-2008 Toastmasters year ends on June 30, 2008, I know that I can deliver eight speeches in eight months! Developing my public speaking skills have helped me during my ZP-III promotion meeting with my immediate supervisor and his boss.

Though I do like the time lag between the GS and pay band schedules, at least he has given me some great feedback(Although I honestly feel that if another GS-11 opportunity comes along then I will take it because my personal timetable does not match my boss' boss.). ZP-III is a subject matter position so I must become well-versed in all of my components especially the laarge government programs. I will request information from these federal agencies to learn more about it. Also, after I return to my room, I will relearn SAS. He has also mentioned that I am doing well enough to receive another pay increase and also acknowledges that the pay band system is not as clear as the GS. However, I have pried a timetable out of him. He reviews ZP-III promotions after 20 months of service so I will excel on my county estimate cycle and prepare to become a subject matter expect so that I can petition for my ZP-III increase. Whether or not I am here at the BEA, becoming a subject matter expert is a helpful career move regardless of the position. I like research so this will be easy. Speaking of subjects I will research the Pell Grant for my research report. Honestly I like researching higher education because I place such a high value on it so I will take to my boss about how to go about it.

Clearing the air and knowing what is expected of me presents an abundance of opportunities to excel on the job and in the game of life.

Guardian of Truth

Okay. Black culture has hit a new low when Tom Joyner endorses the playing of a BET cartoon that curses at children. We should never compromise our integrity especially regarding our children! That’s ridiculous! We as adults should never bow down to lowest common denominator just to get something across to our youth. As a member of Generation Y, I am particularly concerned with the negative images being fed to my generation and I aim to stop this cartoon before it airs.

Yesterday I posted my discontentment with the Russ Parr Morning Show and now I am displaying my disapproval to acquiescing to crude behavior of the Tom Joyner Morning Show. This ordeal has made realize that regardless of format, I must decipher all messages and remain vigilant in promoting positive images inside and outside the black community.

Maturity at Age 30

Okay this is another sign of maturity. I’ve changed the channel from the Tom Joyner Morning Show to listen the Russ Parr Morning Show and instead of uplifting the people they are talking of Keke Wyatt’s Essence magazine comments about her proclaiming that although she’s 25% black with long hair and a pointy nose, that she fights on behalf of black people with dark skin and big noses. I guess my whole aggravation comes from B plus’ comment that it is to claim many different things (I am not against biracial people but Barack Obama calls himself black.) Most of the callers know the singer and says that she’s come from the project (which is funny because it’s always someone who wants to deny where he/she comes from). With all of this nonsense, I’ve missed the new Sounds of Blackness song Kings and Queens. Well, that’s a sign that as I turn 30, I am focusing on what is important. For the record, black people should create a classification system defining who is black. Why worry about someone else’s self-definition when there are real battles to fight. I wish all of those people the best, but when the police pull them over and throw them in jail, don’t call the NAACP to bail you out and fight on your behalf because remember you are not black in the first place.