Day 27: January 27, 2016- #WCW- Erykah Badu

"Now usually I don't do this but uhhhhh...."

When it's really corny and you won't fake like it's funny...

I'ma gone and let Fran write this blog! She has to get this out of her system!! For those who haven't been keeping up with my blog or are starting with this post, Fran is the fan-girl that lives inside of me and tends to get a bit obsessive with certain celebrities she loves! It's embarrassing to admit that she's there, but I can't freakin deny her... So here you go guys.... Here's Fran! -Stix

So let's just hop into it!! Auntie Lo Down Loretta Brown!! Yes, she goes by a lot of names and yes you'll get to read about all of them! So lehhhggooo... 

Stix has been a fan... from the beginning!! There wasn't an album that her dad didn't have at his apartment! Every other weekend (that broken home life...smh) she would run and find his collection to see what was new in his cd case. You remember the huge one that you had to unzip and flip through the clear pages?? Yeah... He had plenty of those! He had the cd booklet and the CD in each compartment... You seeing it?! Dope... Lol Stix credits her dad for her love for music! The Rodgers' family are all singers and have a love for music that transcends simply listening to a good lyric or a dope beat! It's different... 

but back to She ILL... 

Stix totally remembers when Baduizm came out... Granted, She was only 10, but she remembers it! She listened to it from start to finish! "Next Lifetime" was her immediate fave! She wasn't really feelin' her head wraps (maybe she was too young to get it), but she loved her voice. She was a dope artist.



Stix has heard every album from beginning to end....

Followed every relationship...

She's pretty much watched her evolve into the Erykah of today!!

She wasn't a stan... but she was a young fan.

I mean... She didn't start purchasing albums herself until New Amerykah Part One (4th World War).... sounds about right though, by that time she was living on her own and making her own money... She could invest in her own collection by that point.... So there... I hope that clears that up!! I'm defending her right now for all those that's looking at her cray! Stix has been a fan since the head wrap days!

Now me on the other hand... I'm totally stanning!

And here's when it happened....

The love for her kinda snuck up on me! While on social media, I can't remember what site, I started seeing her pop up quite a bit. I think that's where it started...or wait... Maybe it was after I heard her cover of Drake's song, Hotline Bling when I got in the car from getting a pizza at PieFive. I don't remember, but I do remember she was everywhere. She was promoting for the Soul Train music awards because she was hosting that year. She also started talking about a mixtape that she was releasing on Black Friday! I was interested... I started doing my research, like I always do!!

Watching interviews...

listening to albums again...

catching up, basically!

I was learning more and more about her and falling in love with her character (NO HOMO!) Erykah is like me!! She is a huge fan of hip hop, loves wearing baggy clothes, a bit ballsy, assertive, got that southern-hood slang, can check (scorin' is what she says they call it in Dallas) with the best of them, and pretty down to earth! She's that big sister/ best friend that you need in your corner that's gonna call you out on your crap and love on you when you need it! I swear I slick just described myself... but anyway...

So in true fan- girl fashion, I started following her every move... not in a stalkery (made up word, obviously) kind of way... Welllllllllllllll.. maybe a little stal....naw, not stalkery! Bloggers do this crap all the time to keep up! I'm just a fan using the same techniques!! :-D! You like that?? Haha. So, I receive  alerts now when she tweets and goes on Periscope!! She's not the only one I receive alerts for... but we ain't talkin' about them right now.

So one night while I'm on my way home to Memphis, I see an alert that she was on Periscope! Long story short, she talks about a burner phone that she is going to have for a month and that she is going to give out clues to figure out the number... I almost lost my mind!! I knew I had to figure out this number!! 

I had to drop off my little cousin once I made it to Memphis, but once I made it home, it was on. I was writing down numbers, scratching off the ones that I had tried, until I found the ONE! It took me almost an hour to figure it out, BUT I DID... and 41 calls later, guess who was on the phone with Fat Belly Bella, herFREAKINself! Yo! 

I about lost my mind.... Scratch that! I lost my freakin' mind!! Stix thought she was talking to her, but it was really me... Stix is the most quiet, most star-struck chick in situations like this!! Not me!! Breh, I will talk your head off about how much I love and admire you! Lol Yep, I pretty much talked her head off! When she was able to get in a word, I realized even more how cool she is! She was very kind and sweet... made me feel like fam... Shoot even my Ma got to talk to her! She called my mom, "Sis" which is why I joke that she's my auntie! It was about a 3 minute conversation, but it meant the world to me! She talked about how much her fans bring her joy and make her smile... she just wanted to do the same! Dope!! 

Ever sense then... it's been a wrap! We're homies for life in my head and I pray that one day I'll know her as Erykah Wright aka Erykah in Amerykah aka Badula Oblongata aka Manuela Maria Mexico aka Annie the Alchemist aka Sarah Bellum aka She ILL, aka Analog girl in a Digital World aka my fave, DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown!!

I haven't been able to get through since then and probably never will now that the number is BLASTED all over her social media sites (not cool, Auntie)... but I will never forget that experience. It was the coolest thing ever and a story I won't stop sharing. Did I mention my little sister recorded the whole thing, so I have PROOF that we talked?!? LOL GET LIKE ME, BREH! I prepared her for that moment... I knew I would get through. I told her to have her phone ready... Y'all ain't fan-girlin' like me, breh!! LOL

But for real... although, I'm Fran and I'll admit that I'm a bit obsessed, I will say that I've learned quite a bit from her in the last few months. That's truly why she is my #WCW. In her interviews, periscope chats, and mini sermons on Twitter, I've learned to BE PRESENT in the moment and not allow experiences (especially moments like the one I just mentioned) pass me by. I'm not getting any younger. In order to remember and enjoy a memory, I have to first be present. I'm doing that now... when I spend time with my grandparents, when I'm at a concert...etc. I've also learned the art of being true to myself. No sense in being anyone else but me. I don't see too many Erykah's... maybe a few wannabe's, but nobody is touching THEE Erykah Badu. She's in a lane all by herself. It's obvious that she has a love for hip hop and artsy things, but she is finding herself in those different things... not becoming them... if that makes sense. I hope to embark on a new industry soon and my ultimate prayer is that people will one day be able to say the same about me. The picture above is my current lock screen on my iPhone. While it may appear odd, it speaks to me... It reminds me to be me, find myself in all things, and allow myself to evolve! That and it's a pretty dope picture!

One last thing in my art of fan-girling, I've discovered my own little min-#wcw! It's Erykah's youngest daughter, Mars! She's who I wish I could have been at her age. This girl is so outspoken, so true to herself.... She seems to march to the beat of her own drum and doesn't take crap from anyone! I could learn a thing or two from her! Another thing I love about her is that she cusses up a storm! It's freakin' hilarious. Sounds like she could hold her own with the best of them... Somebody get me a Mars please.. minus the cussin'! lol Naw... but 4real, I would love to meet her too!!

Well... I could go on and on... and on and on (that was corny, but necessary) but I'm tired and ready for bed soooo...

Passing the mic back to Stix real quick,

Stix: Smh... Before we go... No television for 27 days now! *drops mic, exits stage left*

Until next time, 

Stix! 

#day6- January 6, 2016- Random blogging/ #WCW

Listening to: Coldplay- Everglow

Not really sure how to write this one. I wouldn't call this "writer's block..." Just a chill night of listening to music and allowing my mind to wonder. There are so many places I want to go with this one... No real plans... just random typing and thinking. Sorry... This blog is meant to let you into my mind, my way of thinking... I hope you don't mind. 

I love music... This song that I'm currently listening to literally makes me want to cry... It's not the words... It's the way it sounds...I love music... especially music that allows me to feel...*sigh* I just love it. 

Ok... anyway.... A quick review of my day. I think I'm getting the hang of my mornings. I didn't hit the snooze button and I made my bed! Tucker and I went for our walk and I made it to work on time! I haven't watched television and I haven't thought about it much. The only time I think about it is when someone asks me if I watched a show. So far it's happened only twice. Both times felt like a slap in the face because they both know about the challenge. Lol... I get it though. They have to get used to this just like I do.

As you know I have more time on my hands so I'm reading more before bed. I read an article about one my favorite people ( I have lots of favorite people... I hate to admit that I have this "fan-girl" that lives inside of me and she shows herself when she finds like qualities in celebrities ... This is one of those people), Myleik Teele. #WCW

I'm afraid to even tell you about her as my description of her wouldn't do her justice. I am literally enamored by her. That sounds gay... maybe I should say enamored with her way of living! It truly is captivating. See... This is why I can't describe her to y'all...lol My fan-girl (I'ma call her Fran) is trying to take over.  

I won't even do it... I WILL share that she is the founder and CEO of CurlBox, a subscription service that allows black women to sample natural hair products monthly. While her company is really dope, I am more impressed with her willingness to share her knowledge with anyone who will listen! She's that chick that figured it out and wants to help everyone else figure it out too. She literally wants us all to share in the freedom of living... in our  truth, in love, and in business! So many people are selfish. If they haven't made it then no one can... Or they've made it, but because they don't know their worth, they are more worried about the next chick taking their place to pay it forward. It's sad. I am proud to say that Myleik Teele is nothing like that! She's young Oprah and a big sister in my head!! 

Anyway, another favorite person of mine has a blog called xoNecole and is also just as in love with Myleik and has benefited from her podcasts and encouraging messages via social media! She talked with Myleik and blogged about it!! So many nuggets are in that blog. It's on my home screen on my iPhone to read again because there is so much to take from it. Because I'm on my self-discipline tip right now, I thought I would share this quote with you guys from Myleik. 

“Successful people have this insane amount of discipline and do things when they are tired or they don’t feel like it. I’ve seen so many people do so much in a day with very little complaining. I always say that I don’t know a successful person that doesn’t wake up early.”

This struck a cord with me because this is what all of this is about... God shared it with me at church too!! I am molding myself into what will be a successful, well disciplined person. Someone who lives life on purpose and with the intention to give it all I've got. If that means waking up early to develop a plan, barely sleeping to master a task, then so be it! Myleik is setting the standard. I love that about her!! The article is dope! You know I have the link for y'all...

Check it out! 

http://xonecole.com/curlboxs-myleik-teele-keeps-it-real-on-being-a-boss-psychotherapy-why-single-women-shouldnt-sleep-on-tinder/

Until tomorrow, 

Stix