Philips Cinema - Parallel Lines - The Gift, by Carl Erik Rinsch

RIP Teena Marie March 5, 1956 – December 26, 2010

Teena Marie singing with her daughter Alia Rose






Yesterday we lost on of the greatest voices of R&B a day after her daughter 19th birthday. Teena Marie was influential to many, her voice used as an instrument in the purest form. Teena Marie , born Mary Christine Brockert nickname Lady T grew up in grew up in the historically African-American enclave of Oakwood, California. Protegée of late funk legend Rick James she is credited with many hits such as If I were a Bell, Square Biz, Cassanova Brown and the sultry hit Portuguese Love.

Influences include Nancy Wilson, Led Zepplin, Motown, Aretha Franklin, the Supremes, Lena Horne, Minnie Riperton Sarah Vaughn but she has influenced many artists such as Alicia Keys, Mary J, Faith Evans and more who were prompt to send their condolences to her daughter and send words of love for the artists. She was sampled by a number of artists such as Redman, The Fugees, Ludacris, Three Six mafia and Grand Puba.

Funny Story from Teena Marie's unofficial page about her acting up in church (all the greats do is

"Apparently Teena had a will to sing early on. One day at church when she was 2, she heard the priest's chant ("Dominus vobiscum, et cum spiritu tuo"). In trying to emulate the priest's sounds, young Teena belted out Harry Belafonte's "Day-O," and her mother hauled her out of the church underneath her coat."

Personally for me Teena Marie was that artist who I grew up on her music, singing it in the shower. She was a living legend because there is only one. No one sounded like her. She was one that I felt should have gotten more air time. A treasure because her voice would make you feel what she was singing. R&B will mourn her she is a loss, music will mourn her. RIP

The Flower

Just got my daughter on my mind

It has been an experience to say the least raising a daughter. She is in that tween stage basically and I see how interesting this can be. When she was born she had to fight to survive, she had to use her stubbornness to be born into this world, she came into the world dramatic and that carries on until this day.

Many times I watch her sleep and the responsibility for raising a person that you want to make a contribution to this world and not take away from it is overwhelming but welcomed. I love her spirit she;s fiesty and knows who she is and what she wants..the downsize to that is she will say whatever she feels which can be good and bad. She is a flower child yet fashionista. She looks at life from the perspective of it being so open to possibilities. At this age she is already fussing about Congress and the humanitarian or lack of humanitarian efforts. Injustices piss her off lol.

I love that I have been blessed to have a daughter like her, It can be challenging but she is awesome.

Why people do not see God

People often wonder why there are people who do not believe in God. Maybe it is because they do not see the God in the people claiming Him. Maybe if the churches done more than just stayed to themselves or been involved in their communities. Maybe if the churches actually not only prayed but helped them in this life people would see spirituality and not religion only. Maybe if the sermons weren't focused on clothing but whats inside. If the focus was on God people would see God for themselves.
I know for myself there is a God but as I am getting older and going through I am failing to see the true purpose of the church when it seems to simply assimilate minds into focusing on the wrong things. Praying is great but it is not the only action. God gave us so many things and tools. God is LOVE. Love does not hurt.
Religion vs Spirituality is something people fail to distinguish. Beyond Sunday School and the big hats you have to start to actually do. Something inside is transformed. You begin to LOVE. In Gods Image we are to LOVE one another. Love is not just a word it is an action. I see people going through pain and where is the church..busy teaching about the end times but not bearing the fruit. Its all bark.
This is not ALL churches but majority yes.

Its time to move forward

In my quest of self and rebuilding I have found peace. I think at first after my dad died I was hurt because people did not call come by nothing well at least church people didn't and really neither did fam besides my brothers and sisters mom ofcourse and a few mentionables. I found myself questioning peoples I love you, I wasn't shocked though and now it is ok. I discovered true love and wrapped myself so tight in that the fact of who wasn't calling got deleted from my mind and replaced with the ones that were. It no longer matters because I am at peace.

My Daddy was very special to me. I was his shadow as a kid even when he drove a taxi. I was small about 3 or 4 when we picked up Kool and the Gang not knowing who they were but that they looked cool and loved to pinch my cheeks, my Dad tucked me in every night, Hugged me all the time and always said I love you. I am carrying that inside of me. His teachings, his love, his laughter is all inside of me. In fact we have the same exact birthmark except mines was on my arm and bigger while his was on his leg. I loved him dearly..correction I love him dearly. I will miss him and no I will never stop speaking his name. Herndon Obediah Lee..you are loved and missed.

Chapter 7 Just listen

Esperanza Spalding