I would love for you to join me.

And feel free to like Y&S on Facebook.

How One Radio Reporter Ditched His Equipment for an iPhone 4

It’s been more than a year since I packed away my laptop computer, digital recorders, microphones, cables and cameras, and began covering Washington, D.C. with only my iPhone.

When I first came to the top-rated all-news WTOP in 1997, the bag phone I carried weighed as much as a bowling ball. Reel-to-reel tape recorders (ask your parents) were the newsroom staple, but early versions of Cool Edit audio editing software signaled that the times, they were a-changin’.

This is the flag from my dad’s burial in 2006. I brought it with me when I returned from visiting home a few weeks ago.

I’m trying to find a triangle case so I can display it properly….and I’m totally confused.

Those of you that know and love me know that I suck in measuring anything.

Some of the sites seem to define the proper size by the flag’s dimensions when open. I’m not opening this flag. I think it’s a 5×9 though. The outside dimension of some of the cases I’ve found are 25x17x12 or so.

Dad’s flag triangle measures about 20x14x14 (inches).

In theory, his flag should fit the 25 inch cases, but with international shipping, I need to be really, really sure.

Any thoughts?

The pic above shows where I’ve been over the past few hours, although I’ve shifted from the sofa to the floor back to the sofa from time to time.

I’ve restarted my MA studies.

I’ll wait for you to pick your chin up.

Let’s see if this 41-year-old brain can crank back up. But between hitting the books, I made a trip across the pond to see family and friends.

And I’ve also been keeping busy with another project.

Whew.

In any case, time to get things back up and running.

Apparently 2011 is the “International Year of Peoples of African Descent.”

The Year aims at strengthening national actions and regional and international cooperation for the benefit of people of African descent in relation to their full enjoyment of economic, cultural, social, civil and political rights, their participation and integration in all political, economic, social and cultural aspects of society, and the promotion of a greater knowledge of and respect for their diverse heritage and culture.

But wait. Aren’t we all of African descent?

Whatever it is, she says that she’s been keeping it to herself for months and that it “literally shook me to my core.”

Of course, the media is all abuzz over this. I wonder how many satellite trucks are stationed outside Harpo studios?

Since Ms Winfrey will have the eyes and ears of the US at her mercy around 3PM CST tomorrow, here are some of my hopes for the “big secret”:

1. She realized the high rate of obesity in the US, especially in her family (speculation), and that something must be done. She will travel across the US on a “Healthy Eating” roadshow. Has she already hinted at this?

2. Quite a few women in her family have let their hair grow natural, and she’s doing the same. Each show will have a 10-minute spot on how to care for natural hair.

3. One of her family members is functionally illiterate, so she’s starting her own version of Saturday schools.

4. A cousin told her that she didn’t have to go to South Africa to help wayward girls. There are some not too far from her hometown that need her help.

5. Another cousin told her that not all of the movies she’s involved in have to deal with depressed black women in the hood. She can make movies with black characters from a plethora of genres: Science fiction, comedy and thrillers.

Hey, I can dream can’t I?

We’ll see.

And more soon.

On another note: It seems that, more often than not, when I check the various news feeds, apps like Twitter and Facebook, I’m met with nothing but negative news: negative health news, murders, war, low job rates…

…and so on.

I need either some type of filter.

Wow! And thanks!

Note: The theme I’m using makes short posts look nuts. Sorry.

This post was inspired by a Facebook comment related to the video above.

I love Shiva Rea. I love her style of yoga movement (vinyasa). I practice it. It is one part of my eight-limbed path.

And I like Prana’s clothing.

What I don’t like is that folks may look at the video above and think “I could never do that” or “She’s so beautiful, I could never look like that.”

And then decide not to experience something that may be life changing.

And none of this would be Ms Rea’s fault.

So here are some things to remember when you watch this vid:

1. It’s a commercial for a clothing company. This means that there was a production crew on hand.

2. Which means they probably shot hours of video.

3. Which means you’re looking at the shots that made the final cut.

4. And were edited within an inch of their lives.

5. Which means the ones that didn’t make it probably showed folks with improper alignment, falling over or picking their nose.

5.5 Like in a real yoga class.

6. Lighting works wonders.

7. And I’ll bet Ms Rea doesn’t look like when she’s just rolled out of bed. Or when she’s paying bills. Or when she’s grocery shopping.

8. She’s probably just like us: human and mortal.

9. And according to an interview with LA Yoga, Ms Rea started doing yoga when she was 16. She’s probably around my age. This means that she’s been moving like that for about 24 years. I ain’t gon move like her.

10. And you ain’t either.:-)

11. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

12. That look at 1:16? “I just farted and damn it felt good.”

12.5. Speaking from experience.

13. Okay. Number 12 was a joke.

Take the video above for what it is: A beautiful video of a professional shot by professionals.

Then take your butt to yoga.

If that’s what you want to do.