​I’m going to Birmingham and I will be reliving memories from the Civil Rights Movement.  I am here for a reason.  What it is, I am still finding out, but I know that life is too damn short to be hiding behind the curtain forever.  At some point, the lights will come on, and I’ll have to come out on stage.  

​Tbc...

1. She's the ride-or-die type of mother everyone should have. One from whom the love flows unconditionally (or at least tells you that), regardless of the flaws you might have in her eyes. 

2. When she found out her son Andre was bipolar, she didn't live in denial but instead read up about it. 

3. She owned the reason why her children were mad at her - even if she felt that she had paid the ultimate sacrifice by being in prison for 17 years. Actually, now that I think of it, that's why you never ever do things for *another* cuz it can come back to haunt you & fuck up your kids, just saying.  

4. She fights ferociously to protect what's hers (like her family), but I can't tell you what's gonna happen in Season 2 now!

5. She doesn't care about exposing her vulnerabilities - like looking a fool by exposing her lingerie to her ex-husband to illustrate the disappointment she felt when that misogynist invited her to dinner to announce that he proposed to his fiancee. Like my college friend says, #Wheretheydothatat??? (And no, please don't go showing your broohaha to your entire family, that's crass). 

6. Her outfits are ghetto with character, trashy but classy all at the same time. 

7. She wears stilettos in all seasons! #Wheretheydothatat????

8. Her relationship with Jamal (in season 1 at least) was like mama bear & baby bear, and besties all at the same time. (Jamal to Cookie, concerned that she might be developing feelings for his dad: "Are ya'll hittin?" Cookie, slyly, while checking her makeup: "Well it wouldn't be the first time.") 

Where do they say that at?

9. Her on-the-money comebacks & quips kill me every time! 
"Get rid of fake-ass Lena Horne!" 
"Did you get rid of fake-ass Halle Berry?" 
"Now tell me Yoko do you play the tambourine?" LOOOOL
"Shut up Dora!" NO she didn't!

10. It's obvious she ain't got no filters (for better or for worse). 

11. Even if she is about the bottom line (such as making herself known or getting that paper), she'll do whatever it takes to get people to come to her side in an organic way. And in the end, all everyone wants is to be understood and valued by the people around them.  Cookie gets that. 

12. Despite playing *the* stereotypical Black woman on tv, which is why part of me swore I would never give the show the time of day, she convincingly portrays a person who is complicated, flawed, compassionate and FULLY human. So that even if one can't relate to her drug- and assassin-filled world, one might be able to relate to her struggle with authenticity and self-assertion in an industry that gives 2 sh*** if you're broken on the inside (you know, from what people be telling me and all...)

13. Despite playing *the* stereotypical Black woman on tv, she's the reason why after I watched one episode - in the middle of the series mind you - I went back and finished watching the whole season in a weekend. Ok and on a Monday. (scratching head, yes, I do have a job & other responsibilities). #Wheretheydothatat??? 

And finally - 

14. After becoming hip to Empire about a month ago, the inspiration for my white birthday party theme came from..."You're so beautiful! Give the world a show! Go up down, up down, up down; up down, up down, up down, Shake it fast! It's yours...how much you pay for?" :-) 

I firmly believe that we could all use a little bit of Cookie in our lives. 
  

Get 'em girls! (and men!)


Empire Season 2 premieres on Wed. 9/23/15 @ 9pm est on Fox! Where are YOU gonna be???

Let go & let God. 
-Some religious person 

Life must be lived as play.
-Plato 

Fear is an imagined worse reality.
-Read that somewhere

Where is my art? Where is my voice?
-Me

How do I ensure that what I do is in the pursuit of what I wish to become?
-Me

Focus more on what you want than on what you don't want.
-Me

Spirit, I love you. I am guided by you.
-Me

Hold on tight to the questions but don't force the answers...The voice you hear in stillness is the One worth listening to.
-Laurence G. Boldt in Zen and the Art of Making a Living (1999)

You can't get anything done by hanging out all day long.
-Pharrell Williams on The Voice 
-Me: Why not???

The only way to be your best is to be completely unafraid.
-Adam Levine on The Voice 

Uncle Sam got me in chains and he takes all my money after I finish making it. Damn you, Uncle Sam.  You are not my uncle.  
-She wishes to remain anonymous 

Do you know how many things you wanted in your life that you didn’t get and you survived?  Keep going.  If you stop now, then no is right.
-Pharrell Williams on The Voice 

I said I was going through the motions.  Stop going through them.  Feel.
​-Me 

You are adequate to life.
I am adequate to life.