Random Wednesday - NYC Party @ Grace Hotel

Ever feel sleepless on a weeknight? Well I got step into a dream of sorts... A sexy Dream Side Pool Party at the Grace hotel where surrealism meets escapism.  Sure there were bikinis and bathing suits (in a small a$$ pool) but the atmosphere and open bar were worth checking out for a weeknight outing.

On a random Wednesday night in the city I got to check out this sexy performance from Sarah Charness who plays a mean violin (more of her on link below).  Gotta love NYC... lots of good events to check out.

http://www.sarahcharness.com/

Other artist on display at Pool Party...
http://www.katerinagubina.com/

On to the next event...

-SF Guru

Things that make me happy... U2 360

U2... Giant Stadium... Sold out!!!

This week I got to see one of my favorite bands U2! I've been waiting to see this band for many years and the wait was definitely worth it. Th U2 360 tour is the top grossing tour ever and the the stage, lighting, and sound lit up Giant Stadium.

The band energy was incredible and Bono was kept everyone in stadium on their feet for most of the night. Now I can cross U2 of the list.

The set list from the show. Bold items were best performances of the night and favorites.


1. Space Oddity
2. Even Better Than The Real Thing
3. The Fly
4. Mysterious Ways
5. Until The End Of The World
6. I Will Follow
7. Get On Your Boots
8. Magnificent
9. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
10. Stay (Faraway, So Close!)
11. Beautiful Day
12. Elevation
13. Pride (In The Name Of Love)
14. Miss Sarajevo
15. Zooropa
16. City Of Blinding Lights
17. Vertigo
18. I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight
19. Sunday Bloody Sunday
20. Scarlet
21. Walk On
Encore
22. One
23. Where The Streets Have No Name
24. Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me
25. With Or Without You
26. Moment of Surrender
27. Out Of Control

If you get a chance to see U2 in concert... its definitely worth it. They are possibly the top rock band on the planet at the moment. And the crazy price... some might say is worth it. Once in a lifetime show.

Things that make me happy... Stephen Marbury taking over China...sort off

Welcome to the Far Eastern Conference Profiles: GQ.com starring ahem...Stephen Marbury?

Ever wondered what happened to one of the most disappointing Knicks ever? This is a good article by GQ on "Starbury" trials and tribulations in China. All I can say.. He got big dreams and I wish him the best of luck.

Welcome to the Far Eastern Conference Profiles: GQ.com

Things that make me happy today - Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead

July 11, 2011

Things that make me happy today… Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead Film

I recently watched a great documentary called “Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead” by Joe Cramer about one man's journey to get healthy by losing weight.  After years of illness, and failed diets, he changed tactics and made a drastic lifestyle change.  His strategy was based on a “system reboot” that featured a 60 day “Juice Fast” where he drank vegetable and fruit juices only for 2 months.as his only form of nutrients.

There was a lot of information about the relationship between health and maintaining healthy weight.  What made this film particularly interesting was the impact he had on several other people lives.  One truck driver named Phil, experience a total life change. He started out with a sedentary lifestyle at 429lbs to a really active life at 227lbs.  He saved hundreds of dollars worth of monthly medicationa and the change even help to cure his depression that was one cause of his overeating habits.

This film tells the story of one man journey to reclaim his pwn health and along the way manage to help a few other people. This is a good film about shifting to healthy and healing lifestyle. If you like Michael Moore style documentaries, you will might like this one.

You can find it streaming on Netflix.

If you watch this film would love to know what you thought about it? And are there any tips you would share with others about maintaining a healthy lifestyle that you found effective?

Things that make me happy this week... Essence Music Festival Part 2

Here are a few more of my favorite performances from EMF

Stephanie Mills still... GOT.... IT!

Mary - No More Drama... Killed it!!

Kanye - Can't tell him nothing...

Just a small sample of some of my favorite performances... And this was just the tip of he iceberg..

Bonus Performance Trey - Motivaton... Yeah... my summer theme song!!

Things that make me happy this week... Essence Music Festival

July 8, 2011

Things that make me happy… 2011 Essence Musical Festival in New Orleans

I don’t know why I never thought to go to Essencefest before, but I set a goal to attend one musical festival around the country per year and this year it was of to New Orleans for three days of a musical orgy.  This 4^th of July weekend was my first visit to Essence Musical Festival and it was well worth the trip.  For people that are music lovers in general, and adult contemporary R&B in particular, this is the musical event of the year. But what I didn’t realize until I got to NO was how Essence focuses to create an unique healthy learning event for women (and yes men) of color.

The good…

The music!! Period. I estimated about 20 hours of live music over three days of some of my favorite artists and few pleasant surprises.  Even, better the quality of the events were outstanding. Shows start on time, food and drink prices reasonable, and lots of free activities throughout the city.

The people!! Okay I am a bit a fan of people watching… and boy there is a lot to watch.  For those that are interested… even celebrity watching.  I was even fortunate enough to chat with Jill Scott on the flight down to NO. She is cool, down to earth people, that spent time talking to many people on the flight... even those in coach. lol. If you’re a fan, grab her new album (The Light of the Sun) There is a strong tune called "So In Love" featuring Anthony Hamilton which she performed with Anthony on stage during Saturday night show.

SuperLounges!! The lounges are the ultimate chill zone experience. Four lounges hosting 2-3 acts running along side the main acts in the Superdome.  This year, Macy Gray, Naughty by Nature, Tank, and Kelly Price and a whole host of others grace the stage in the superlounges. These were smaller venues where you can get up close to the stage and rock with the artists.

The bad…

The heat!! New Orleans in the summer is crazy hot! Jungle Africa hot!!. Just be prepared to sweat.

Fried Food! Don’t get me wrong, they sure can cook in Nawlins’ but you may have to check your arteries when you get back home.

Indian Remy Hair overload… Yes, I said it! Weaves for days. If you were to line up all the weaves in NO for EMF you have a road that can span the Atlantic from NY to London.. 

The overrated, over priced parties… Charging $60 for entry into a party in NO is just crazy. Nuff said.

Some of my favorite moments…

1. Kanye West headlining Saturday night

2. New Edition

3. Mary J Blige headlining Sunday night

4. State of Black Women Discussion

5. Fantasia leaving it all on the stage Friday night

6. Kelly Price

7. Soledad and Steve Harvey Interview

8. Tank

9. Up and coming New Orleans artist Kourtney Heart

10. Trey Songz

My least favorite moment...

Walking in the French quarter late night with the horrible smell of horseshit.

So as I returned on my flight home on Monday morning, I am so glad I went and won't forget the performances. I am definitely making another trip in the future.

My take… Essence Music Festival is good time and great value for the money. See you EMF in future... who know maybe even next year!!