I'm a Southern girl, an editor for NPR.org and a wild dreamer who laughs loudly and often. When I grow up I'll be a bass player. Or Sarah Vaughan. Whichever comes first. I'm curious about lots of things, so I shall post what I find here and let you have at it. Enjoy! -- Tanya Ballard Brown
Working from home while I wait for the HVAC guy. Two laptops and an eager intern who works for snacks.
Listen in, as smooth-talking L. Abdul Kenyatta (@AbdulKenyatta) shows these youngsters how to speak to a lady.
Produced by Jamie Dewolf
Sound Design by Pat Mesiti-Miller
This made me laugh out loud in the car yesterday so I recommend you give it a listen.
SNAP JUDGMENT: Glynn’s civil rights are being violated by an extremely catchy tune.
Producer: Renzo Gorrio
We got us a doggy booster seat. No more jumping out the car window scaring me to death. (at PetSmart)
![imwithkanye:
The Making Of Macklemore | OUT
How a straight white rapper from Seattle wrote hip-hop’s first gay anthem.
“Each night is different — you never know,” Macklemore says [of “Same Love”]. “To see 6,500 people put their hands up in support of equality is a beautiful thing. It’s honestly been the highlight of touring.”](http://24.media.tumblr.com/33fe8275033253cce6cd30fa3a9d3a85/tumblr_mmhnhqgEEm1qanm80o1_400.jpg)
The Making Of Macklemore | OUT
“Each night is different — you never know,” Macklemore says [of “Same Love”]. “To see 6,500 people put their hands up in support of equality is a beautiful thing. It’s honestly been the highlight of touring.”
Tanya Ballard Brown, Washington, D.C.
We want to hear from women: What’s your note to self – a piece of advice that’s helped you at work? Share your advice at http://she-works.tumblr.com
Anyway, why does Olivia deserve better than Fitz? Because we all deserve better than Fitz. Did you hear me, O Women Of The World? If you are reading these words, you deserve better than Fitz. Unless, that is, you are Mellie, Fitz’s wife, who exactly deserves Fitz, which is part of what makes the show’s central romantic mythology kind of hard to give a hoot about. If Olivia had a lick of sense, she would make the “that’s that” motion with her hands like she’s smacking the dust off, say “ptooey,” and go have sex with someone more worthwhile. Meaning: anyone.
And Fitz and Mellie would go off and have a whole bunch of evil babies and tour the world like the Von Trapp Family Singers, only they would be a troupe of lying, well-dressed hypocrites who would cry and complain instead of singing “So Long, Farewell.”
Because honestly, Fitz is the worst. He is the absolute worst. In case you don’t believe me, I am prepared to present my list of reasons.
Notes On A ‘Scandal’: Fitz Is The Most Dumpable Man On Television : Monkey See
There are spoilers on the other side of this link. — tanya b.
(via npr)
npr:
After six years, author Walter Mosley breathes life back into his detective hero Easy Rawlins — thought dead after crashing his car off a cliff. Easy embarks on another case, but as the lines blur between death and dying, he may discover answers to questions he hadn’t thought to ask.
My review of Walter Mosley’s latest novel.
Happy Birthday to ya Stevie Wonder!!! My favorite musical genius was born 63 years ago today as Steveland Hardaway Judkins (his last name was later changed to Morris) in Saginaw, Michigan. In this 1974 photo, he is performing his classic “Living For The City” on “Top Of The Pops” in London. Photo: David Warner Ellis/Redferns. In the comment section, let me know what your favorite Stevie song is (Is it possible to have just one?)
I’ve had my Stevie collection playing since I got in the car this a.m.
npr:
In 1996, after 12 years living in the foster care system, Melissa Rodriguez recorded a diary about getting pregnant and becoming a mother. Now, her son Issaiah is a teenager, and she shares her teenage diary with him and reveals things about her past that she’s never mentioned.
— Teenage Diaries Revisited: Mother And Son Listen To The Past
Also, check out earlier parts of the series: Teenage Diaries Revisited
