So, I can find a plethora of excuses to stop me from doing what I intended to when I sat down in front of my computer screen. I am supposed to be working on a new book. No … that's not even right— I am supposed to be working on an old book that I've been trying to finish for months now, so it can eventually become a new book. Instead, I sit here and surf the net like I have all the time in the world, daylight saving time notwithstanding, like time isn't about to roll up on me and knock me over on the back of the head with sleep. Then just when I lay my head down, without getting any writing done mind you, my kids will wake up and what something crazy like breakfast. It is a vicious cycle.

Of course, in the time it is taking me to write this blog entry, I could actually be writing a paragraph or two. Time is going to fall back and I will fool myself into believing that I now have an extra hour to continue on this long and windy road of procrastination. My eyes will get droopy, sleep will come, and the kids will wake … in that case, I better stop this nonsense and get to writing.

Check out the latest installment of my Flash Fiction segment from Parlez Entertainment Radio at http://www.clickcaster.com/parlezentertainment. You can visit the site to listen to it or just read it below. Feed back is always welcome! Personally, I would take a listen. It is kinda cool with the song playing.

---------------------------------------------------------

Ring the Alarm

By Wanda M. Toby

            Michelle Whitterker sat at her office desk in the building of the mortgage brokerage firm she and her husband built from nothing, contemplating the present state of her 22-year marriage while she waited for an important phone call. She had had six months to decide what she was going to do about her husband's affair. She was a distinguished woman of regal bearing and was never prone to hysterics. She had to have a plan for everything. It was her way of maintaining control of her emotions. Weakness was something she was never fond of, which was also the reason why she had married Dalton in the first place. He was one of the strongest men she knew aside from her father, God rest his soul.

            At first, Michelle wasn't going to do anything about her husband's sexual escapades with a woman half his age. At 43 years of age, Michelle was sure he was going through a midlife crisis. She could handle that. Her plan was to monitor the situation and let it run its course. When three months turned into five, she began to wonder about the extent of his feelings for his "plaything."

            Michelle sat up in her chair and opened up her desk draw. She pulled out the latest package Charles, her private investigator, had sent over. In it were new pictures of her husband and Therese, his mistress. They snuggled over dinner in a Las Vegas restaurant, bathed in Jacuzzi's, and kissed in the middle of the park all while he was on a business trip. Nevertheless, Michelle wasn't fazed. She was in no position to judge having had her share of special friends.

            It was the recording that worked its best to unnerve her. She pulled out a mini cassette and played it.

            "Therese, I promise you as soon and Janet goes off to college, I will leave Michelle. Why can't you wait? It's only a few more months," she heard Dalton plead.

            "I've waited long enough. I have a life, D. I don't want to sneak around anymore. If I can't have you out in the open then I don't want this."

            Michelle was disgusted. She stopped the player and threw it down on the desk in an angry fit. Her palms were sweaty. It was her third attempt to listen to the recording and she still couldn't bring herself to listen passed the first five minutes. She would have rather watch the two of them having sex than to bear five minutes of listening to her husband grovel.

            She was appalled that their daughter, Janet who was nearly as young as Therese, would be mentioned in any conversation between them. She was insulted that he would think of leaving her for any reason and aghast at the sniveling way he begged his whore not to leave him. Michelle looked down at the remaining contents from Charles' package. She pulled out documents for a condominium purchase that her husband said was for her, another addition to their list of investment properties.

            The phone buzzed, startling her out of her thoughts. 

            "It's Charles on line one for you," her secretary informed her.

            "Thanks, Sherry." She waited for her secretary to make the connection and hang up. "Are they there?"

            She could hear Charles sigh at the other end. "Yes."

            "Do you think they are having sex right now?"

            "I don't know why you want to do this. Just-"

            "Fine. Thank you. I'll talk to you later."

            "Wait! I can meet you there or something. You know it's the new condos on 6th Ave-"

            "I know where it is," she snapped and slammed the telephone down before snatching her keys from the desk.

            Michelle pulled into the driveway of the two-story condominium unit. Her silver, seven series Mercedes Benz purred just before she shut the engine down. She reached over, grabbed her purse and pulled a key out before walking up to the front door. Michelle wasted no time getting into the house.

            Inside, she paused and listened before moving further. Laughter flowed through the house as if the affair was a normal, everyday occurrence that was in line with everything right in the world. She stepped further into the unit, taking note of the furniture and change of scenery that wasn't present in the pictures Dalton had showed her when he surprised her with the purchase.

            Michelle rummaged through her handbag to prepare herself with what she needed before making her way up the stairs. The laughing stopped followed by erotic moaning and groaning. She could hear her husband's pleasure laced voice as he called out Therese's name. She reached the back room where the noise was coming from.

            The door was left slightly ajar. With her feet, Michelle slowly pushed the door open. She stood at the doorway, watching Therese's naked body move up and down over her husband, his hands running up and down the length of her back.

            Michelle cleared her throat and waited. When no one responded, she cleared it again, louder. Dalton tilted his had, meeting her calm gaze. His eyes widened and his body stiffened.

            "Wha- what happened? D, are you all right?" Therese suddenly asked.

            Michelle stood with a gun pointed at Therese's smooth back and spoke, "Get off my husband's d-"

            "Michelle, what are you doing here? P- put that away!" Dalton stammered.

            "What is it? The fact that I'm here or the site of my gun that's made you go flaccid?" she asked mockingly then turned to Therese as she scrambled off of Dalton. "It's a shame when they just go limp in the middle isn't it?"

            The girl was fear stricken. Michelle stared at her and almost felt sorry for her.

            "Mi- Mich-"

            "Shut up!" She looked over to a chair in the corner of the room. "You guys didn't have sex in that chair did you?" When no one responded, Michelle prompted, "Nod for yes and shake for now."

            They both shook their heads. "Good." She sat down on the chair and crossed her legs with the gun still pointed in their direction.

            "You can't-"

            "Dalton, if you know what's good for you right now, you will shut up and listen," Michelle waited for a sign of understanding.

            "I hear you are planning on leaving me. Well, there're 5.5 million reasons why that's not going to happen. Surprisingly, adultery is frowned upon and I will be sure to take you for everything you've got."

            "You've cheated too," Dalton spit out.

            Therese tried to cover up her body with a sheet. The movement aggravated Michelle and she took a shot in her direction. The gun had an almost muted sound. Therese screeched.

            "Silencers are a great tool," Michelle said coolly.

            "Michelle, my God," Dalton yelled.

            "Calm down. No need to sound the alarm. No one is going to die here today. I just don't want anyone to move. Now, I get that you realize that I have had some special friendships but you have no proof and I … well, I have plenty. Do you honestly think I'm going to let some tramp live my life, even a fraction of it?"
            Dalton opened his mouth to respond.

            "That's not a question. Besides the money, I can be very severe in my punishment. I don't think you would want the consequences of leaving me, either of you." She said is so menacingly that both Therese and Dalton shrunk back.

            Therese took a breath and rushed, "D said you are crazy but this is just-"

            An amused expression appeared on Michelle's face. She turned her head to Therese. "I am not crazy. I am an executer. I plan everything down to the last detail. That's what I do which is why you better be worried because after today, if I catch wind of you anywhere near my husband I will make your life so unbearable for you that you will wish you had been aborted."

            Michelle stood up and adjusted her clothing. She looked down at her husband. "You, your life is already screwed. I can make it worse. Make sure she is out of my condo and out of our lives."

            Michelle turned to leave. As she made her way out the door she paused and without turning said, "Dalton, be sure you're home by six-o-clock. We have a dinner party to attend."

© 2006, Wanda Toby

It is almost one oclock in the morning and I am sitting in front of my computer with the weight of discouragement bearing down on my already tense shoulders. I just put my daughter to sleep. God only knows why she was so wired tonight because I have no earthly idea. Anyway, I struggled with getting her to bed tonight but she is finally resting. One would think that I would find a way to my bed since I will be up earlier than I would like tomorrow, but I am sitting in front of my computer.

I guess you could say I am writing because thats what I do when I get down- I either read or write. I was trying to read tonight but my daughter wouldnt let me. At any rate, I started writing a book not too long ago and in about a month I had 80 pages or so of a rough draft. Dang, I thought things were going great until recently. I dont even know what happened. I went from writing all the time to dodging my pen and pad. Now, not only am I depressed about my life situations in general but Im also upset with myself because I havent written much.

Doesnt it just burn when you have some type of plan in your mind but when it comes time to put it into action, the whole thing just seems to slip away from you? That is how I feel. I am on a one-year plan to get a publishing deal. Yea right, LOL. It would really help if I actually finished the book I would like to shop around.

So, tonight (right this instant) is the night I refocus. Dont you find that every now and then, refocusing is an essential part of survival? Somewhere along the way, I think, we get off track. I am definitely off track right now. So, tonight I am getting back on. What does that really mean though? Well, tomorrow I am going to write. I am going to forget about all the other life stuff I have going on and do what makes me genuinely happy when all else fails- write.

Now about this plan of mine you know, that will have to be for later. Check back with me on that.

Succeed

the fight

they fought is not

over because we can

but it is just begun because

we must

(C) Wanda Toby 2006

     I find that when I am working on a new novel, I get infused with nervous energy. If only I could focus that energy on writing, I would finish a novel in no time. Unfortunately for me, it goes all over the place. Since I love to read, I go into a reading phase. It is really sickening because I read a book and can't tear myself away from it until I'm done only to immediately pick up another book. I cannot tell you how this causes problems in the household :).

     Then there is the issue of writing. I will stay up to all hours of the night regardless of my full day ahead to get some type of writing in. It is a flurry of manic behavior that I can hardly escape. The problem is, I have all the intentions of writing, but I get distracted and start doing things like writing in my blog. It is one-o'clock in the morning and I am writing a blog! Even I'm tripin' at my own self.

     This is the crazy ish that writers sometimes go through, especially writers with a day job. Up till all hours of the night just to get some ink in.

Just ask Jaheim. He might be feeling the wrath of Black woman because he revealed in a magazine interview that he preferred Latino woman.

Oh hell to the naw! No he didn't!

Well, yes he did and the boycot is on. Did you know that Black woman are supposed to by boycotting his CD? Well, if not you better jump on the band wagon. Personally, I just don't care enough. First off, I have never purchased any of his CDs and I don't plan to start now. Secondly, I believe boycotting should be reserved for greater things of more importance. Screw Jaheim and his Latino women loving self.

Let's be serious for a minute. There is an inherent, cultured, and perpetuated hate for color. The closer to African, Black, Negroid or whatever it is being called these days, the less desireable. That is what we have been fed since the beginning of America. I know the Native Americans weren't getting any love.

So why the shock when someone steps out and prefers another fairer race. Isn't there a lighter skinned versus dark skinned issue amongst the Black community already. If it is a solution we are seeking is boy cotting an artist really the way to go? More importantly, what exactly would we like to see fixed? I know it is not the simple preference in taste. It has to go deeper than that right? It has to be more of the issue of combating the underlying idea that Black is less.

Be Black and be beautiful!

Peace.

He may not be the reigning champion for platinum album sales but Diddy with his Bad Boy Enteratinment company is still making deals that will keep the money coming in cart fulls. Courtey of  Target Market News: (May 25, 2006) Sean Diddy Combs Bad Boy Entertainment and MTV: Music Television today announced a pilot agreement for an untitled dance competition series. The project will focus on street dance troupes from around the country as they train, compete, and express themselves. Todays announcement is part of a larger first-look, overall production agreement for future television projects between Bad Boy Entertainment and MTV. Combs (left) will provide executive producer services for the dance competition pilot.

Dance is one of the truest forms of expression, and there is a new cultural phenomenon emerging in different communities across America young men and women are forming these dance troupes as a way to stay off the streets and out of the pitfalls of their everyday lives, commented Diddy. This show will showcase the drive, determination and expression of this dance generation picture Rocky but with dance troupes.

Separately, it was recently announced that Combs will star in and co-produce an ABC TV movie version of the 2004 Tony-winning Broadway revival "A Raisin in the Sun." Combs, who starred in the revival and will reprise his role, is co-producing with Craig Zadan and Neil Meron's Storyline Entertainment.

Diddy and MTV have had a highly productive working relationship over the years which has included hosting of the 2005 VMAs, executive producing Runs House, starring in and executive producing Making the Band 3, as well as hit music videos, multiple show stopping performances at the VMAs, and the ground-breaking campaign partnership between P. Diddys Vote or Die and MTVs Choose or Lose during the 2004 presidential election.

Sean Diddy Combs, recently declared One of The Most Influential Businessman In The World by Time magazine and CNN, and Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group (BBWEG) is one of the world's preeminent urban entertainment companies, encompassing a broad range of businesses including recording, music publishing, artist management, television and film production, recording facility, marketing and advertising, apparel and restaurants.

With a collection of businesses whose annual sales are quickly approaching $500 million annually and an employee base that is 600 strong, Mr. Combs is largely responsible for the popular appeal of urban entertainment. Formed in 1994, the flagship company of BBWEG is Bad Boy Records. Today, Bad Boy's annual sales have reached an overall average of $100 million with more than 75 million records sold worldwide. Bad Boy recently moved to 1710 Broadway. New York is the corporate headquarters housing all Combs' business entities.
http://www.targetmarketnews.com/storyid05260601.htm

The Davinci Code in its first week grossed over 77 million dollars. WOW! That's pretty good considering all the controvery. Oh wait, controversy sells, so it's no wonder the movie was a block buster.

Personally, before I went to see the movie, I read the book and I'm glad I did. Why? Well, if you don't read the book and see the movie it will be alright because you won't really know what you are missing. However, reading the book first gives much more insight and you can get a better understanding of what's going on in the movie and why as it was the case for myself. Also, you would know that they added some dialouge that was supposed to make certain topics in the film less touchy or at least give another view point.

All in all it was a good movie. All in all it was a good book. All in all it was not meant to be taken as reality. The whole broohaha about the book and film is that it suggest that Jesus was just a regular dude ... well, not really regular but not devine. Basically, He wasn't, isn't (whichever) the son of God. The bigger and seems to be the most blasphemous is the claim that he was married to none other than that hoochie (in translation people), Mary Magdala. Blah blah blah.

There is sooooo much more I can say about this movie but I won't. For an indepth review, you go to one of my favorite sites (besides www.parlezentertainment.com) www.playahata.com to check out a full review.

Here is the burning questions- Does Jesus being married (one of the most sacred gifts that God has bestowed on us) really change your heart about him?

Danielle is America's Next Top Model and, IMO, she was the best choice. Now, not to insult Danielle but the group of girls they had this year left me a little confused. Forunda, I wasn't understanding how she was even in the group to begin with. Jade was just plain crazy and a few other of the girls just didn't seem like they were all there in looks and personality. Nevertheless, it was an entertaining season with Tyra, seemingly, hatin on the black girls.

Okay, maybe saying that is taking it a little too far but I'm not the only one. Visit http://www.slate.com/id/2141972/ for an article questioning Tyra's racial loyalties. The big deal is the way she harped on Danielle for her country accent. The argument is that there are all these other models that can barely speak a lick of English and they are getting jobs, so why was Trya staying on Danielles case? It was painfully obvious that Tyra had some issues even up till then end after Danielle was awarded. Viewers heard Tyra say that they are going to get Danielle some speach lessons.

Was Tyra hatin on a sister or was she trying to get Danielle to be the best she could be because she knows how the industry works especially with sisters?

Tell me, why won't people leave Oprah the hell alone. First off, I am not in Oprah's ass with my nose all up her crap. But why all the hate? Sure there are things about her that are a little annoying like how she seems to think that everything out of her mouth is golden. I can see how that can get on some people's nerves. The latest attack was on her Legends Ball, which I really enjoyed but I can sometimes be sentimental like that, that aired Monday night.

It was, in my opinion, a beautiful show. However, a lot of her critics are saying that it was, as things usually are, really all about Oprah and not the legends she honored. On this front, I have to say screw them because no one else was going to do something like that for the 25 honored women. Let's me honest, while everyone is busy dissing Oprah for one thing or another, she is steady doing stuff for people. I heard someone say that she doesn't do anything without announcing it to the world and I have to differ with that as well. There are a lot of contributions that Oprah makes that are not shouted off on rooftops by her or anyone else for that matter.

So, people, can the sister get a little break.

Feel free to hit me back with some comments or feedback.