So I'm sitting at home watching Romancing the Stone with the kids (all week we've been watching old action flicks...Indiana Jones, Goonies, Jewel of the Nile...etc). It's funny that they are just as entertained watching these movies as I was when I was a kid. Anyway, I'm pretty much resigned to a lazy day of sitting on the couch watching movies when I got a phone call from my friend. We were in the middle of a the movie so I let the call go to v/m...but then after little while I decided to check the message, it went something like this. "Hey Jillian, call me back as soon as you can. I just got two tickets for the NAACP Image Awards....they're great seats on the floor - orchestra level. I thought it might be fun for you...call me as soon as you can to let me know if you're interested." What? Ummm....yeah! So I call him back and he tells me I've got like an hour and a half to get ready for this black tie event. Eek..I only have one formal dress that fits and it is like 10 years old (I've lost like 4 dress sizes! Stress...I guess it's good for something). I tried on the dress and asked my daughter for her opinion, she was like...ummmmm...no. Lol. So, five minutes later we're off to the mall. We find this very nice sequins shirt to go with this very cool black skirt that I already had. I buy some earrings and a necklace and we're headed home. I get home with like 20 min. to spare. Quick 10 min shower, 10 min hair and I'm off. Luckily I'm a whiz at doing my makeup in the car...plus I had some time do some finishing touches while I waited for my friend to get ready.
The awards show was great and we had really good seats. There were too many starts in attendance to name but here a few: Samuel Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Ruby Dee, Alicia Keyes, Terrance Howard, Yolanda Adams, Kimberly Elise, Cuba Gooding, Jr., India Arie, Kerry Washington, Isaiah Washington, Common, Ludicrous, the whole casts of the Grey's Anatomy (the first show headed by an African-American woman), Bernie Mac Show, Girlfriends, Half & Half, Everybody Hates Chris...the wife of Medgar Evers and the daughter of Malcom X (she is one fierce sista), the regal Pamela Johnson and soooo many others it's impossible to name. The performances were great too...it started with the Alpha Fraternity doing a step routine (in honor of their 100th anniversary), then Alicia Keyes sang (and that girl can really saaang), then the Neville Brothers performed and it was topped off by the grand finally with the phenomenal Carlos Santana accompanied at times by Anthony Hamilton. Mr. Santana was amazing!! It was a long show, but worth it.
After the show we mingled a bit...I was looking very glam with my blue eyeshadow, gold lip gloss and sequins dress...I could see people looking at me trying to figure out if they could recognize me....No, not yet...but soon! Lol. During Yolanda Adam's award speech she told the crowd that there was absolutely nothing that they could not achieve as long as they put God first...nothing. Then she looked to the people in the balcony and told them to hold on to their dreams and that next year they could very well be sitting "down here" (meaning the main floor). I figure if they could make the journey from the balcony to the orchestra in a year...I should be able to make the journey from the back of the orchestra to the front, right? I mean it's only like 15 rows...surely that's doable :)
My friend introduced me to alot of people and we actually ended up obtaining passes to the official NAACP after party which was also being held at the Shrine Auditorium. We walked over to the party which was soooooo awesome. The musicians were absolutely phenomenal ...at one point the saxophonist held a note for at least like 7 min straight! He even gave me a personal serenade...it was amazing...amazing! He got a standing ovation before he even finished the song. Then came this crazy talented sister on the violin and together they really brought the house down. The music was a blend of jazz, hip-hop & classical...sounds strange but it was off the chain! After they finished the dj started and party continued. There was great food, drink, music, dancing and wonderful fellowship. To sit back and think of all the talent, beauty, passion and love that was in that place is just phenomenal. To have been a part of it was a beautiful thing.
Me & India Arie
Me & Director Mobolaju Olambiwonnu
Again, Me & Director Mobolaju Olambiwonnu
After party...if you look closely I'm in the middle.
The dress my daughter rejected...I guess it is a bit dated :)
The awards show was great and we had really good seats. There were too many starts in attendance to name but here a few: Samuel Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Ruby Dee, Alicia Keyes, Terrance Howard, Yolanda Adams, Kimberly Elise, Cuba Gooding, Jr., India Arie, Kerry Washington, Isaiah Washington, Common, Ludicrous, the whole casts of the Grey's Anatomy (the first show headed by an African-American woman), Bernie Mac Show, Girlfriends, Half & Half, Everybody Hates Chris...the wife of Medgar Evers and the daughter of Malcom X (she is one fierce sista), the regal Pamela Johnson and soooo many others it's impossible to name. The performances were great too...it started with the Alpha Fraternity doing a step routine (in honor of their 100th anniversary), then Alicia Keyes sang (and that girl can really saaang), then the Neville Brothers performed and it was topped off by the grand finally with the phenomenal Carlos Santana accompanied at times by Anthony Hamilton. Mr. Santana was amazing!! It was a long show, but worth it.
After the show we mingled a bit...I was looking very glam with my blue eyeshadow, gold lip gloss and sequins dress...I could see people looking at me trying to figure out if they could recognize me....No, not yet...but soon! Lol. During Yolanda Adam's award speech she told the crowd that there was absolutely nothing that they could not achieve as long as they put God first...nothing. Then she looked to the people in the balcony and told them to hold on to their dreams and that next year they could very well be sitting "down here" (meaning the main floor). I figure if they could make the journey from the balcony to the orchestra in a year...I should be able to make the journey from the back of the orchestra to the front, right? I mean it's only like 15 rows...surely that's doable :)
My friend introduced me to alot of people and we actually ended up obtaining passes to the official NAACP after party which was also being held at the Shrine Auditorium. We walked over to the party which was soooooo awesome. The musicians were absolutely phenomenal ...at one point the saxophonist held a note for at least like 7 min straight! He even gave me a personal serenade...it was amazing...amazing! He got a standing ovation before he even finished the song. Then came this crazy talented sister on the violin and together they really brought the house down. The music was a blend of jazz, hip-hop & classical...sounds strange but it was off the chain! After they finished the dj started and party continued. There was great food, drink, music, dancing and wonderful fellowship. To sit back and think of all the talent, beauty, passion and love that was in that place is just phenomenal. To have been a part of it was a beautiful thing.
Me & India Arie
Me & Director Mobolaju Olambiwonnu
Again, Me & Director Mobolaju Olambiwonnu
After party...if you look closely I'm in the middle.
The dress my daughter rejected...I guess it is a bit dated :)
posted by Jillian at 4:00 PM
3 Comments:
wow! You are stunningly beautiful! Good luck with everything.
Ditto, you look great. I just wonder how in the world did you find a sitter for two pre teens that night. I was also invited and was turned down four times by sitters. You go girl!
PS: I got ya back
Thanks for the complements, I had an absolutely wonderful time.
Anon, sorry you couldn’t find a sitter. It may have something to do with how old your baby is...some people feel if the child is not of a certain age they don't want to keep it. Crazy I know! It sounds like you’re a single parent too, and I know it can be hard when the other party does not take responsibility, but keep ya head up! As single parents we have to make a lot of sacrifices, but trust me that it gets easier as they get older! My children are in middle school now...it happens before you know it. It also helps to have friends that are not in the business. I have been amazed at how much support I’ve received in the past couple of weeks. I cannot say enough about giving good people in your life who can really come through in your time of need.
Good Luck and I haven’t been invited to the Oscars yet, so if you get an invite, I’m free to baby sit :).
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