Category: Is it just me?

A Quick Dash to Nash

I had a truly memorable Memorial Day weekend this past May of 2023.  The goal was to visit my big sister Casandra who moved to Nashville almost a year ago.  And of course to see her daughter MoNa, her son-in-law Kevia and their rambunctious 6 year old son, Harlem.

 

Memorial Day is not called the “unofficial start to Summer” for nothing.  It seems as if everybody and their grandmother (smile) was driving that weekend on the road, flying in the air, or using some mode of public transportation during this much anticipated prelude to Summer.

 

What usually happens when we now adult Hollis children go to a new place or space to visit family, is we try and incorporate at least one African American cultural activity into the trip.

 

In this case it was easy, almost too easy:  a trip to the National Museum of African American Music or NMAAM as it is referred to.   NMAAM is conveniently located in downtown Nashville so we did not have to travel far as my sister Casandra lives only about 15 to 20 minutes outside the city limits.

 

Parking the car in a garage was pretty steep ($45) and you really have no choice if you drive as there is very little if any available street parking downtown.

 

The ticket prices to the museum (which we ordered online on the NMAAM website the night before) were $24.95 for Adults (me) and $18.75 for Senior Citizens (Casandra).  Just so you are aware, the rest of the ticket prices are as follows:  $18.75 for Students and Teachers with ID, Military and Senior Citizens; $13.50 for Museum Guests aged 7 to 17 and Free for Visitors 6 years of age and under.

 

 

While there, for just $5.00 more you will receive a NMAAM wristband which allows you to  download multiple genres of music (up to 500 songs!) to create your own music playlist as you touch and explore your way throughout the museum.  This music link is sent to your email address a week or so later for you to  download to your Apple or Spotify account.  Very cool!

 

NMAAM wristband

 

Incidentally, NMAAM also offers visitors an annual membership with lots of special perks and education and programs for groups and special outings.

 

The NMAAM brochure tells you it takes 90 minutes to explore the museum (as it features timed admission) but it took me and Casandra 3 hours as there is so much to see and do!  By the way, there is no extra charge if it takes you longer than the 90 minutes (smile).

 

At the entranceway to the National Museum of African American Music

 

The museum is broken up into 6 rooms which each feature a different genre of music and its history.

 

Casandra descending the staircase

 

It is fascinating to discover just how intertwined the music is with the historical happenings of each era.

 

 

The Roots Theater focuses on African American history and its music.

 

Wade in the Water (one of my personal favs) showcases how gospel music and its rich history has more than influenced religious music.  This gallery featured an interactive room where me and Casandra went in, donned the requisite church choir robes and stood in front of the Green Screen so we could sing along with the Gospel Choir.  The ending was sweet as we were both magically inserted into the Gospel Choir (smile).  We saved this download to our NMAAM wrist band so we could view it later on at home.

 

An African American Gospel Choir

 

Crossroads chronicles the time in the Deep South (and after slavery) when work songs and field songs (i.e., the Blues) was prevalent.

 

Lots of ‘photo ops’ throughout the museum

 

A Love Supreme highlights the Jazz era in African American music and culture.

 

Louis Armstrong an African American Trumpeter and pioneer in Jazz music

 

One Nation Under A Groove records the time following World War I with the emergence of Rhythm and Blues…

 

Reminiscent of George Clinton…

 

The Message clearly narrates Hip Hop and Rap music and how it influenced (and continues to influence) pop culture in and around the World…this room featured a interactive DJ booth where we were able to select from one of 3 different rappers and then rap along with them.  Not surprisingly, the line to this interactive feature stayed long (smile).

 

Tupac Shakur, an influential and widely known and recognized African American rapper

 

Rivers of Rhythm featured the touch panels (found on the large glass tables)  throughout the NMAAM theater which allow the user to touch their way into an artist’s songs and biographies.  We downloaded lots of music to our NMAAM wristbands from these touch panels.  Incidentally every half hour or so a concert  played on the interactive walls (that day we jammed to the sounds of Prince, Tina Turner, and James Brown).

 

And just before you leave the museum, you will notice an art gallery featuring the works of very talented community artists.

 

 

There- also is a museum store called Amplify which sells beautiful NMAAM memorabilia at reasonable prices.

 

 

By the way, Casandra and I had the pleasure of bumping into Left Eye Lopez’s little sister Reigndrop who was at the museum that day creating a documentary  about her late sister Left Eye Lopez.  Here she is entertaining the lobby crowd in her own eclectic way.

 

Reigndrop is cool and talented too!

 

Also while in the lobby we could not help but notice the tribute to the legendary Tina Turner – who recently passed – you can’t showcase black music without including Miss Tina…may she Rest in Peace…

 

 

All in all, we had the best time eva and I would highly recommend this museum to anyone visiting the city of Nashville (or Nash as it is called).

 

Fun Fact:  I’ll never forget my big sister Casandra telling me years ago that even if we were not sisters, I would definitely be someone that she would want to be friends with.  I feel the same…

 

My Current Situation – Part X (Goodbye 2021!)

 

I’m sure this comes as no surprise to anyone that on this Friday, December 31st,  I am happy to see 2021 Simply. Go. Away. (smile)

 

I am cautiously optimistic though that even when the 2022 pandemic brings its own variants, we will all learn to effectively work around them so that we can resume a somewhat “normal” life.

 

I have already noticed the following habits in my own life as I head into 2022:

  • I still wear a face mask practically everywhere I go

  • I’m still working 50% hybrid (one day from my home office; the next day from my work office and so on…)

  • I am still washing my hands multiple times a day even when they’re not dirty

  • I am still waddling around in yoga pants, fluffy slippers and baseball caps on the days I work from home

  • I still have not travelled outside of the U.S. and/or drove more than 300 miles  away from home for personal travel

I’m also still counting my blessings every day that this dreadful disease does not directly impact any one of my family members and friends.

 

 

 

 

 

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My Current Situation Part IX

It’s the season of what we like to call “Fall” in New England.  The days are short, the air is brisk and the leaves are “falling” from the trees.   I happen to like this season because the temperatures in Connecticut tend not to be too extreme plus it’s a great time to enjoy backyard bonfires.

 

 

It’s also cold and flu season so I scheduled my flu shot this coming week at my place of employment.  I was advised by my Primary Care Physician to get the Shingles shot this year which by the way comes in two separate doses.  I’m well over 50 but for some reason was advised to take care of it this year.  Our local pharmacy (Walgreens) made it real simple for me.

 

 

The drawn-out Covid pandemic (which could easily turn into a “Twindemic” with the upcoming Flu season upon us) is still causing me to pause as to what activities I should or should not participate in.  For instance, I went to see Erykah Badu a few weeks ago at the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, CT because the people in charge were asking all attendees to be fully vaccinated and wear their masks.  However, I skipped going to an outdoor festival in Hamden, CT because there would be children there under the age of 12 who, at this time, cannot be vaccinated.   Decisions, decisions…

 

 

And as far as work goes I am currently in month 15 of working hybrid for the News 8 local sales department and I’m not mad about it (smile).  You see I enjoy working from home every other day because it keeps me in the practice of dressing up to go into work in the first place (smile).  I am forced to put on a nice dress or blouse and skirt every other day.  Otherwise I would just live in yoga pants and baseball caps (double smile).

 

 

I also get to touch base with my fav co-workers and experience a change of scenery from the home decor.  But working from home also has its perks:  those aforementioned yoga pants and baseball caps, no commute, noontime walks and healthy lunches.  Truth be told I actually work harder when I’m working from home as I still get up at the same time every day but on those days can begin at least an hour earlier, multi-task at lunchtime and end whenever I feel like it (after quitting time) since I’m already home.

 

 

Being a true fan of  Social Media, I am noticing more and more posts of people in general spending quality time with their families and their friends.  In my opinion the notion of Family is back in a Big Way and it is very apparent.  If nothing else comes from this pandemic, it will have shown us that Family and Relationships are truly what we all have been missing.

 

 

TVFL readers, have a Great Week.

 

 

My Current Situation Part VIII

There was a small window in time at some point in July of 2021 where life was beginning to feel a little normal, albeit, the “new normal,” as masks were flung off, dressy outfits were put back on and baseball caps were sent back to the ball field.

 

 

Then along came Delta, it sounds like a movie but instead it’s the name of the new variant that is quickly turning our everyday lives into a mini nightmare.  The medical doctor on the last news segment I watched explained that even if you are fully vaccinated, you can still catch and/or transmit the COVID virus –  Yikes!  It’s no wonder that it’s spreading like wildfire.

 

 

And now the Connecticut Department of Public Health recommends that all state residents go back to wearing masks inside public buildings.

 

 

Yes.  Again…Wait, Really?!?

 

 

So as of today, me and my fellow News 8 Account Executives continue to work (masked up outside our cubicles) in the same hybrid fashion we started about 14 months ago.  Call me crazy but I happen to like working 50 percent from home and 50 percent from the office.  I have even created a cozy home office in one corner of my dining room that easily fits my desk, office supplies, desktop computer, office chair, printer and work files.  I can’t lie: I’m not looking forward to going back to work in the office 100 percent of the time.  Especially since I’ll have to face those crazy, unhinged drivers every day as opposed to just half the week.

 

 

Being the Optimist that I am though, I take a deep breath and remember what I am truly grateful for: I am truly grateful that me, my family and my loved ones are all healthy, fully vaccinated and presently living Covid- free lives.

 

 

And I certainly hope the same for all of my TVFL readers.

 

 

 

My Current Situation Part VII

I am writing this blog post on a semi-wet and blustery Sunday afternoon in the month of May.  We are having a true Spring this year and it’s not easy getting used to.  Also it’s been 14 months since the pandemic officially started in Connecticut and although some things have changed, others have not…

 

 

This is the 7th installment of a (hopefully) limited series of blog posts related to my Covid 19 experience – but 7 is my lucky number so I’m going to go with that (smile).

 

 

But first things first, I am still working hybrid — one day operating from home, the next day from my News 8 local sales office — which I absolutely love doing but I fear the end is near…

 

 

…the state of Connecticut is fully opening back up on May 19th which is a pretty good sign that things are moving towards what is being deemed, the “new normal.”

 

 

I can’t lie, I want the “old normal” back and I promise not to complain about anything anymore (double smile).

 

 

I’m also still attending my church home, Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church, via Facebook live.  There’s something to be said about hearing “The Word” virtually and from the safety and comfort of your own home…

 

 

And I still work out 5 days a week at I Love Kickboxing in North Haven, CT.  What has recently changed at ILKB is this:  there are no more mask optional classes (just mask-mandatory) nor are there any more limits to class sizes.  So with the arrival of earlier sunrises in Connecticut, these early bird class sizes will sometimes swell to capacity.

 

 

I’m also super excited to announce that I am now fully vaccinated so a simple mask is my new entry point to getting some of my life back, Yay!

 

 

I’m not going crazy though.  I am slowly easing myself back into my new life.  Pre-Pandemic I was Go-Go-Go, trying to cram everything in all at one time without once stopping to take a break.

 

 

Nowadays I’m learning to appreciate the simple things in life.  Things that bring me love, peace and joy.  I’m also planning for my retirement over the next 4 or 5 years where I will look forward to enjoying a much slower and leisurely pace.