The Three Rivers Arts Festival - Pittsburgh, PA

I'm a sucker for a good festival, and The Three Rivers Arts Fest never disappoints!

This annual event is held in downtown Pittsburgh, with artists, laced through the streets selling their wares, food trucks & vendors ready to feed hungry, greedy bellies (like mine!), limber, rythmical, street performers wowing crowds of people, and musical concerts all around. 

MM!  There's nothing like supporting fellow artists, while vibing to great music and eating chicken on a stick!

I couldn't resist collecting a few reasonable priced (surprisingly) pieces of visual & wearable art for myself!

Who's that Lady Collection - "Lucky Bag Hat" 

by Tracy - The Rising Phoenix Trinity

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Rising-Phoenix-Trinity/115086089102

The festival sound track was a collage of musical genres; from Jazz to Rock to Bluegrass.  All appropriate to feed the free soul.

By T. James-Sykes

An Unexpected Hero? Dead Giveaway?: Chuck Brings Us To HIS World

"How ridiculous can you be?"..."Oh, that's just stupid!"..."Aw, what a cool dude."... "He said what?!"... "He did whaat?!"..."Poor thing!"

Yep, those were a few of many phrases I said aloud as I laughed, cried, got angry, and laughed again, while reading Charles (Chuck) Ramsey's story:  "Dead Giveaway: The Rescue, Hamburgers, White Folks and Instant Celebrity...What You Saw on TV Doesn't Begin to Tell the Story..."

A coined hero, Chuck was a key player in the rescue of three women who were kidnapped 11 years ago, on Cleveland, Ohio's westside. Chuck tells his story in a way that only HE could; rough around the edges, insanely outlandish, plain, and honest!

I went on a mental and emotional rollercoaster ride; Chuck's antics blindsided me with irritation, and tears filled with laughter, as he accounts the chain of events in his life before, during, and after the rescue of Michelle Knight, Gina DeJesus, and Amanda Berry. 

There are alot of words that many use to descibe this read, and Chuck makes no apologies about his delivery. It "satisfies" so many sensations that I can't help but call it entertaining!  

I must add that you'll be surprised by Chuck's colorful background, and journey.  This book reminds us that as humans, we have multiple facets, flaws, and great things about us.

While he's so called an "unlikely" or "unusual" one, I'm proud to simply call Chuck an AMERICAN Hero!

Book Link: Dead GiveAway

By T. James-Sykes

Michelle Knight Tells Her Story & Reclaims Her Life

Tears flow down my face as I watch a DVR'd episode of Dr. Phil.  A year since her escape, Michelle Knight's strength and dignity softly explodes through the t.v. screen. 

I purposely saved watching the show until after I read her book "Finding Me:  A Decade of Darkness, a Life Reclaimed".  I was deeply moved by Michelle's will to stand firm, to move forward, and to heal from the devastating ordeal she lived for 11 years of her life.  Compelling.

Michelle takes you with her as she reveals some details of her childhood, the people she encounters, the hell hole in which she lived, the torture that she endured, and the awakening of her new life. Michelle paints a picture so vivid that I felt like a fly on the wall.  While reading, I watched her suffer, I saw her write in her journals, I was there during her spiritual awakening with God, and I saw her inner light shine. 

I've never met her, but I feel as if I actually know this woman.   She is talented, She is real, She loves love, She is spirited, She is inspiration, She is a beacon, She is a butterfly, SHE is Lillian Rose Lee!

By T. James-Sykes

I Dream of The Carousel at Euclid Beach!

I'm too young to remember Euclid Beach, but I see the vivid picturs my parents paint when they share detailed stories about their childhood.  Their words play the music they heard, show the films they've seen, and take me to the places they've been. My parents have unknowingly given me memories that are before my time. 

I truly appreciate them for sharing and exposing me to things that I wouldn't have imagined; treasures that I'll always hold dear. 

Now that I've dried my sentimental tears, I can tell you how excited I am that the Euclid Beach Carousel is under restoration, and will be available for all to ride again!  I had a blast seeing the horsies on display, at the Western Reserve Historical Society.  Ma and dad traded memories as they pointed out the ponies they favored as children.

The grand Carousel operated at Euclid Beach Park from 1910 until closing day, September 28, 1969.  Now, Cleveland’s Euclid Beach Park Carousel Society is restoring the mechanism.  It will be fully operational on  November 23, 2014 at the Western Reserve Historical Society History Center in University Circle!

Before & After Photo Close-Up

There's still time to be a part of the magic by making a donation towards the restoration.  Visit

http://www.clevelandcarousel.org/ for more information.

Click here to see the time line of this historical carousel:

http://www.wrhs.org/properties/Euclid_Beach_Carousel-2

By T. James-Sykes

SWV, So Glad You're BACK. We Missed You!

"I Missed Us" is SWV's (Sisters with Voices) 2012-released come back album.

While watching an episode of the SWV Reunited, their reality show that recently aired, my mouth dropped when the girls mentioned that many fans didn't know about their latest album.  I was one of them, and of course, after hearing that, I cursed out (in my mind...well out loud at the t.v.) the irresponsible party(s) for dropping the marketing ball!

But that's okay; better late than never right?

Naturally, I HAD to check it out...and let me tell you this album didn't disappoint!  Whether it was the lyrics, the music, the arrangement, the voices, the "throwback" samples, I found myself enjoying EVERY track...I never stopped grooving.  Now, imagine that in a time where we're lucky to find just a few songs on an album that are worthy of our time & money!  

 "I Missed Us" encompasses the SWV sound that fans know and love, with music & lyrics that are Current, Classic, and Age Appropriate.  SWV holds it down, and delivers; their voices seem to have gotten better with time.  This album is buttery smooth, melodic, and a little throwback.

The tracks that stand out right away are: 

- CoSign (debut single)
- If Only You Knew
- Keep You Home
- Do Ya 
- All About You
- Time to Go

The Current SWV


I can't wait to see these ladies in concert! {hint hint} ♥

1990's SWV

By T. James-Sykes