What I'm Tweeting About

I've had a Twitter account for over two years. Seems like much longer though. Folks who aren't on Twitter wonder what I have to say. Sometimes, I'm just watching my Twitter feed (the tweets that I follow). Other days the tweets are fast and furious. I try not to complain, whine or be too negative even on those crazy days. But I will out a company or organization if things 'aren't right'. I've done that with Sprint as well as Delta Airlines.

I posted this tweet on July 22nd. I know that part of networking is asking basic questions like what do you do? where do you live? where'd you go to school? But lately, I'm so over it. I just don't feel like having that often meaningless discussion. Frankly, I don't like talking about me. Not comfortable w/that. I've felt this way for some time. Especially when I was a morning radio show host. If people didn't know me, I would prefer that my friends not introduce me by saying I work at the radio station. That kind of introduction would usually end up w/them complaining about the radio station or asking me for free tickets to an upcoming concert. Not a good look.

Now that I live and work in Cairo, Egypt, people are intrigued by that. Living and working abroad is quite the talking point; I get that. But I try to downplay it. I typically try to change the topic to something else and quickly. I don't mind talking to folks about my job and what I do, but in a more one-on-one setting. I mostly just want to have a conversation as opposed to having people fire off questions to me in a rapid fire pace. Seems so impersonal. I don't think I'm 'all that' because I live abroad; I'm much more modest than that ... and that's what I'm tweeting about.

Check me out on Twitter: ohradiogirl

Music Monday 61 :: DJ Jazzy Jeff & Mick Boogie's "Summertime: The Mixtape"

I'm just now getting around to actually listening to this project (after I was reminded by a tweet on Twitter). This collabo from DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mick Boogie is just good music.

But I was unable to immediately find the link. Then when I did see it, I realized that I'd already downloaded it. Silly me.

So now, I am sharing the love. You need to get this one and there's no excuses because it's FREE.

Download: "Summertime: The Mixtape"

5 Things I Miss About Cairo

I've been away from Cairo for a month. I've been living there for about eight months and I'll be heading back to Cairo from the U.S. in about three weeks; just in time for Ramadan 2010.

As much as we (my colleagues and I) complain about whatever (the heat, the long commute to campus on the bus, teaching long days - though we only teach two days a week, the language barrier, the lack of delicious food, etc.), I was only gone a week and there was a list of things that I miss.

The terrace at my apartment in Cairo. I'd like to decorate more, but the dust is a bit of a problem.

Here they are in no particular order:

• Moving across the world was a big decision for me. But my friends and colleagues in Cairo have made the transition priceless. I miss our regular get togethers and our spontaneous trips to the market.

• I miss my apartment in Cairo. Not the yucky smell that emanates from the bathroom, but I have a nice sized apartment w/a full kitchen and an incredibly large, private terrace. Love that.

• Though I'm learning Arabic, the language barrier is the one of my biggest frustrations. However, thanks to Otlob I can order food online from a wide variety of restaurants w/out the issue of language. Delivery is usually 45 minutes or less and there is a nominal delivery fee. Otlob is awesome.

• I've never been a world traveler and I still don't consider myself that. However, traveling around Egypt is relatively inexpensive. It took me minute to get in the flow of the traveling but when I jumped in - I jumped in full blast. I've been to Alexandria, Siwa, Dahab, Mt. Sinai, Sharm el Sheikh, Rosetta, the White Desert, Luxor. I've also been to most of the tourist spots in Cairo including those famous pyramids! Can't wait to get back and visit more of the Middle East.

• Lastly, I love, love, love that you can get nearly any and everything delivered in Cairo and not just from restaurants. I can order groceries over the phone and have them delivered in about 20-30 minutes. Want a nice, tall latte, but you don't want to venture out into the heat, get it delivered. Need your dry cleaning picked up right away; get it delivered. Purchase some large plants in another part of town; get it delivered. This last option is not one that I take advantage of a great deal. Don't want to be too lazy, but it is convenient.

No two days are the same in Cairo unless you never leave your flat. But I am sooo enjoying my life and living there. Of course I get home sick and I've been shopping like crazy while in the States getting some of the things that I can't get in Cairo. But living and working in Cairo has taught me a bit of how to live w/less because really, I can't get everything that I want and need into two large suitcases and a carry-on.

So, if you think I have a list of things that I miss from the States ... you just wait, that blog post is coming.

31 Days to Build a Better Blog: Day 1

Problogger and The SITS girls are hosting a 31 Days to a Build a Better Blog Challenge. I'm in it and you can be too.

Day 1 is to create a elevator pitch. Sell yourself (and your blog) in a short and simple way.

Short elevator pitch:

Focused life; random thoughts.

Longer elevator pitch:

I've done a lot of things in my life. Love that, but now I'm where I want to be and much more focused on my career and enjoying life. I'm living abroad and traveling more. Like everyone else, my random thoughts are constant. Creating and consuming media is also my passion. My blog is my portal for bringing everything together.

... and we're off!

Music Monday 60 :: Stevie Wonder "Until You Come Back to Me"

I've been sitting w/a friend listening to Stevie Wonder's "Song Review: A Greatest Hits Collection".

It's a nice compilation of the Stevie Wonder catalog, but it does not include "Until You Come Back to Me". That is my jam.

And so, this week's Music Monday is a class that's been remade over and over by many, but the Stevie Wonder version is priceless.

Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do) (1977 Looking Back Version) by Stevie Wonder

Music Monday 59 :: The Bots

The Bots are authentic teenage rock stars. The music is original and good and they sound fab. Can't wait to see how they evolve.

What's up with my homeboy LeBron?

Images from Sunday, July 11, 2010 as the infamous "We All Are Witnesses" billboard comes down in Cleveland, Ohio.

Some of my friends don't understand why I'm uncomfortable w/LeBron James leaving the Cleveland Cavs for the Miami Heat. Those friends are not from Cleveland or Akron or even from Ohio for that matter. I'm an Akronite, Clevelander and Ohioan so here goes ...

I'll make my points quick:

• It's not about LeBron leaving. I, like many others, understand free agency. The main issue here is LeBron decided to do make the announcement of his decision. You should only hold an hour long, prime-time TV special if the announcement will be that you are staying in Cleveland; otherwise, hold a normal press conference and save us the humiliation.

• You can't compare my life working in the media to LeBron James. I knew that my career would force me to leave my hometown and possibly the state. I've worked off and on in Akron/Cleveland and Ohio. Loved it. Love my home state. Didn't hold a press conference to say "I'm leaving you".

They started to take down the billboard on Saturday, July 10, 2010. They had two crews working on Sunday in Cleveland, Ohio.

• Some say, they should have left the "We All Are Witnesses" billboard up. I say no. He no longer plays in Cleveland and no longer wears that jersey. You say the kids need a role model? You don't need a 10-foot billboard as a role model. Also, Cleveland fans are rabid and we don't have the manpower to guard a billboard 24-7.

• LeBron should have given Dan Gilbert a courtesy call before the big announcement. Some say, well, the players are often the last to know when they've been traded. I say, two wrongs don't make it right. Just because others behave unprofessionally, doesn't mean you have to reciprocate.

• Gilbert's letter to the fans was passionate. I cringed when I read it. Some of my sentiments were in there. The letter was mostly fine in content, but it should NOT have been written by a NBA team owner. Let the fans or some other team official make those remarks. I do wonder how Gilbert is going to make good on the promise to get a ring in Cleveland before Miami does?

• Some say, he gave you guys seven good years and how do you treat him? You take down the billboard and you burn his jersey. (see my first point). And don't get me started on the guys who came to Cleveland to play ball w/LeBron, but found themselves not playing their role on the court. Nor do I want to talk about the players who did not even want to come to Cleveland to play w/LeBron.

• LeBron could have executed this in a much more classier way. He could have left for Miami, but still appeased the folks in Cleveland/Akron. Boy did he blow it. And now, he's basically homeless. He won't be welcome in Ohio, he'll be uncomfortable and as a result he bail on us permanently, but it did not have to be this way. I feel sorry for him in that regard.

• When the Miami Heat come to Cleveland to play the Cavs in the fall, it will not be pretty. I'm hopeful that there will be tight security and I hope that no real nonsense breaks out.

• I'm disappointed to learn that LeBron's move to Miami had been well calculated for years. That soooo disappointing. At the same time, I respect Pat Riley for pulling this off, but I'm also mad at Pat Riley for pulling this off.

Here's the disclaimer on the article in the previous point. It reads:

"We understand your anger, but please show that Cleveland has class: no racism, no vulgarity and leave his family out of it. Commenters who cross that line may have their accounts temporarily or permanently suspended."

• But knowing now that going to Miami was pre-planned, I'm wondering more about why LeBron played so poorly in the 2010 NBA semi-finals against Boston? Is there a connection?

• All of this talk about Gilbert treating LeBron like a slave is unfortunate. I should have seen that coming and I especially should have seen it coming from Rev. Jesse Jackson. Why does it always have to come to that? We all know how the professional sports team system works.

So much for making some quick points. And I could go on. What do you think about all this?

For more on this from a Cleveland perspective, check out @PDCavsInsider on Twitter.

Skin Care Products

It ain't easy being me. I like to stick to one tried and true product. Whether it is food, clothes or beauty products.

I have my staples and I'm sure that you have some too. But what I want to briefly discuss here is skin care cleansers. I don't want to spend too much money, but I'm willing to spend if I think that it's worth it.

The problem w/skin care products is that they are often changing, which is good if it's an improvement, but sometimes they are discontinued, which is bad.

I did find a Clean and Clear product that I liked - the Clean and Clear Acne Cleanser, but then it seems my face got used to it and it does not seem as effective now. So, I'm on the hunt for something. I did pick up Aveeno's Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser. I like foaming products. Just puts me at ease. I did recently buy the Ambi Even & Clear Exfoliating Wash, but it did not see as if it was getting the job done. I'll be visiting my sis in a few days. Her place is like a drug store except you get to try the products. I'm hoping to discover a facial cleanser that I like while I'm on that visit.

I could go on for another several paragraphs about moisturizers, but maybe I'll save that for another time. We're talking T-zone issues and the need for a decent spf. Whew.

Happy Independence Day

The AUC, Egyptian and American flags flying on The American University in Cairo main campus (2010).

African Americans have a history of slavery in the United States. And though we've come a long way since the days of slavery, in some ways, it seems we haven't gone far at all.

Still, I take comfort in the 4th of July in the U.S. Freedom and independence have more value to me now that I live and work in Cairo, Egypt. The difference between the two countries is exponential as it relates to freedom and independence. The fact that Egyptians can not gather freely in public as a result of Egypt's emergency law is astounding to me. I am surprised by the limits of that law because for all of my life I have enjoyed the right to do whatever I want, where ever I want, whenever I want in America as long as it legal.

As a journalist, I have also enjoyed the right to write and published my thoughts and opinions freely and w/out repercussions. You can do this in Egypt, but there might be some backlash as in what might seem like a random pickup by police. Bloggers who speak the truth about government corruption might be detained or jailed anywhere from two hours to two weeks.

I love living and working in Cairo. I love the weather, the constant sunshine. I love my job teaching young Egyptians about working in the media (even w/the restrictions on the press). I like the culture and the spirit of the people. But I live my life there knowing that I am an American citizen AND a university professor. That means I will probably still receive some privilege that is not extended to Egyptians. Keyword: might.

During my time in Egypt I hope to see some changes; small changes really. I like the bravery of Egyptian bloggers as they detail the wrongs of the Egyptian government. I'm proud of the diligent protesters who put their lives on the line for better opportunities for all Egyptians. In some ways, the current climate in Egypt reminds me of the civil rights struggles of the 60s in the States. I'm hopeful that Egyptians will witness the kind of change that African Americans in the U.S. have witnessed in the past few decades. I hope that they'll be able to see the progress, yet know that there's still lots of progress to be made.

Today is Independence Day in the United States and I am proud to be an American.