Tag: personal report (page 1 of 1)

December 31, 2019 / 0 Comments

Tints

“I been in my bag addin’ weight. Tryna throw a bag in the safe”

— Anderson .Paak

What did you do in 2019 that you’d never done before?

We bought a house.

There was also the two week period across April and May when I traveled from LA to Miami (first time in the city) to LA to NYC to LA to Mexico City (also, a first) to LA and back to Florida with no more than a day’s rest every time I was back in LA.

That was nuts.

I’m sure there were other firsts, but those stand out.

Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

The only goal I put out in the universe was this:

I want the best version of my body whatever form that takes.

I remarked to Tiffany yesterday that I appreciated my body lately. My hips are loosening thanks to some focus on my stretching and yoga in that area. And while the number on the scale isn’t where I would like, I like the angles of my physique these days. I have been having some of the longest and best workouts of my life in the last few weeks and broke my elliptical record today.

So, yeah, I did that.

I don’t know that I’ll make resolutions this year. I saw something somewhere—Instagram, probably—that suggested that instead of setting goals, write down what you’re excited about in the new year. I kind of like that idea.

Did anyone close to you have a child?

Not that I remember.

Did anyone close to you get married?

We real cool

Yes. We attended the wedding of a close family friend in October and delighted in the marriage of one of our favorite Sparks players.

Did anyone close to you die?

There were some unexpected deaths in acquaintance circles, but I don’t think the reaper came to the doors of anyone close to me.

What countries did you visit?

Mexico was the only country outside of the USA I made it to this year.

What would you like to have in 2020 that you lacked in 2019?

Time. There was a lot of change and transition in 2019. These changes required me to be outside of my routines and comfort zones for much of the last three months. That led to me not making the best use of my free time when I had it and not utilizing my time most optimally when I was on someone else’s clock.

I’m entering the year with a plan to tackle this problem.

What date from 2019 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Stairway to heaven?

May 3rd when we visited the Piramides De Teotihuacan.

What was your most significant achievement of the year?

I got promoted again this year.

I also got invited to interview for a job with a much fancier title than the one I have right now at a desirable place, which was very flattering but ultimately not for me at this time. My work and what I bring to the table being recognized and compensated appropriately felt big this year. As Clarence Avant says over and over again in The Black Godfather, “Life is about one thing, numbers.”

And, you know, I am currently a numbers guy.

What was your biggest failure?

Every time I walked past my unhoused neighbors and felt helpless instead of offering help or a neighborly word.

Did you suffer illness or injury?

I was incredibly healthy this year (knock on wood).

What was the best thing you bought?

The condo.

Every time I walk the three blocks to Ventura boulevard or the two blocks to the grocery store or trek on foot to the library or stop at Trader Joe’s or the mall on the way home or use our kitchen or admire our views are reminders that this was the right choice.

My mom asked if we were getting excited about paying the mortgage every month and watching the number come down. Excited isn’t the right word. Maybe the right word is gratifying.

To know that paying it isn’t a struggle is nice.

Whose behavior merited celebration?

Round two for last year’s all-star. Melle continues to do the damn thing. Now under her non-profit shingle.

Where did most of your money go?

Did you know buying property is expensive?

What did you get really, really, really excited about?

WNBA All-Star in Vegas was everything and more, and I was hyped the whole time.

Just hanging with our faves #wnbaallstar

What song will always remind you of 2019?

Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. happier or sadder?

Unequivocally happier. It’s been a grand year in my corner of the world.

ii. Thinner or fatter?

I weigh almost the same as the beginning of the year but feel great.

iii. Richer or poorer?

We still make that paper, and now we own property.

What do you wish you’d done more of?

More time for family and friends. More dates with the lady. More hosting people in our new home.

What do you wish you’d done less of?

Idling on the iPad. Tik Tok is addictive as hell.

How did you spend Christmas?

Here in LA. My parents and sister came to the house, and we made brunch together. We had a small but meaningful gift exchange. And the Clippers beat the Lakers.

Ain’t no complaints.

What was your favorite TV program?

The Watchmen on HBO was spectacular.

Also worth your time:

The Mandalorian
The Morning Show
Star Trek: Discovery
The Good Fight
Bob hearts Abishola
The Boys
Evil
Mindhunter
Killing Eve
Rhythm + Flow
Narcos: Mexico

What was the best book you read?

If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

I also loved:

Feel Free by Zadie Smith
American Kingpin by Nick Bilton
Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger by Rebecca Traister
The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo
The Library Book by Susan Orlean
The Avant-Guards, Vol. 1 by Carly Usdin

What was your most significant musical discovery of 2019?

I hadn’t paid much attention to Nipsey Hussle’s music before he was killed in the spring. He was so beloved in Los Angeles, though, that I had to stop and figure out why. It was a revelation.

I get it now.

What did you want and get?

Impeachment even though ain’t nothin’ goan happen.

What did you want and not get?

A resignation. All things considered, though, it’s been such a good year personally and professionally, ain’t no complaints.

What was your favorite film of this year?

I think Booksmart just edges out Us and Hustlers.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

44. We had a March birthdays brunch at Black Market, my family took me to Rosaline on my actual birthday, and we went to see Soul of a Nation at The Broad later that week.

Good times were had.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Nearly the same note as last year: The Sparks did go deep into the WNBA Playoffs this year but flamed out in one of the most head-scratching exits in league history.

I worry the championship window is closing for this team in this configuration, but I’m hoping there’s one more run in 2020.

What political issue stirred you the most?

My interests this year were more local than the national garbage fire that is this current administration. LA figuring out real solutions to our homelessness and general housing issues is top of mind every time I enter our community.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

R. Kelly.

How would you describe your fashion concept in 2019?

I cleaned up nicely this year with more blazers, fancy button-downs, and quality shoes.

What kept you sane?

Reading or listening to the news on my schedule. Keeping my nose in a book. Hitting the gym nearly every day.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Regina King had herself a year, didn’t she? Kenan Thompson’s work on SNL has been next level.

Who did you miss?

Shana. While I’m happy with my current work situation, not getting to talk pop culture and process with her every day was and is a bummer.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019.

Do what you say you’re going to do.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

“Bossed up, flossed up, fly like a saucer, live in the moment.”

— Big K.R.I.T.

What’s one photo that sums up your year?

👼🏾👼🏼 en Mexico

January 1, 2019 / 0 Comments

NICE

“What would you do, you knew you couldn’t fail
I have no fear of anything, do everything well
I have no fear of jail, I was born in the trap
I have no fear of death, we all born to do that
It’s just life, I’m just nice, tonight I might raise my price”

— The Carters

I was writing my 2019 plan, but then Shana showed up in my inbox and, well, I’m going to take a detour.

What did you do in 2018 that you’d never done before?

Felt unafraid to stand up for myself and others. I’ve stood up before. It’s the lack of fear that’s new and to do so in ways that remained true to me and how I operate. I didn’t imagine how someone else—someone I imagine as stronger than me—would do a thing, I did it as me. In my voice, in my way, and with the confidence that doing what’s right can be scary but doesn’t mean you gotta be scared.

I also worked with yeast in my baking for the first time, and it was a hit.

And, I had a case of gout. Shout-out to middle-age.

Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions and will you make more for next year?

Mostly. The goal was to do the things that make you feel most connected to the world, and while I’m struggling with how much time Instagram and my iPad are siphoning away from me to close this year, I did find connection in 2018.

The act of gift giving this holiday season was, perhaps, my most explicit confirmation of that as, to a person, I felt like I gave presents that reflected what I knew and understood about them and our relationship, specifically.

Staying present enough to remember most birthdays, anniversaries, and other special moments felt great and is a behavior I definitely want to continue.

I’m inspired at the end of this year, though, by my friends that are committing so heavily to serve our communities. Those actively working to make the world a bit better for those who are most in need and leveling up their own personal development in the process. My 2019 mission will be centered around these broader ideas of generosity.

Did anyone close to you have a child?

Not in the immediate circle but there were babies this year, and I got a chance to babysit, even if only for a few minutes in Disneyland.

Saw a crazy headline today that reminded me that I recently renewed my long lapsed membership in The Babysitters Club.

Did anyone close to you get married?

The only weddings I (virtually) attended were Royal.

Did anyone close to you die?

A great aunt passed, and I can sense that one matters more than maybe some others in recent years. There’s a sadness in my grandmother’s voice that hasn’t gone away now that this sister, in particular, is gone and it breaks my heart every time I hear it in our conversations.

What countries did you visit?

I stayed domestic this year, but there are discussions of trips south of the border for 2019.

What would you like to have in 2019 that you lacked in 2018?

More dancing.

What date from 2018 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

April 29th because, “Yolanda, what the heck?!”

What was your most significant achievement of the year?

The best compliment I got was someone told me that they were not only a better employee but a better person for having worked on my team. I think that’s a reflection of a communication philosophy that I’ve worked on most of my professional life but became second nature in 2018: empathetic candor.

I want people to seek my counsel and know that they are going to get an honest conversation with no ulterior motives, ill will, or bad faith on my part. Kindness, honesty, and generosity of spirit is the vibe I think I most conveyed this year.

What was your biggest failure?

One afternoon, as I rushed to catch a bus I was running late for, I saw a man with a walker moving awfully slowly to cross the street to get to his destination. Maybe he didn’t need or want my help, but I didn’t even offer, choosing my convenience over kindness.

Every time I made that choice this year, I failed.

Did you suffer illness or injury?

Gout sucks. It feels like you’ve broken a toe and I do not recommend flying when you have it. Your foot is already swollen, and air travel will only exacerbate the issue.

I was full of foot ailments this year. I also had to correct plantar fasciitis with therapeutic insoles in nearly all my shoes.

What was the best thing you bought?

Mentioned above, but I really dug the holiday gifts I gave this year. Money well spent. I also like Apple TV and the series 4 Apple Watch is aces (as is the iPad Pro Tiffany gave me).

Whose behavior merited celebration?

My friend Melle has spent this year working so hard to battle food insecurity in Los Angeles through her own personal efforts and in partnership with local groups like Beauty 2 The Streetz. Every time I spend time with her discussing this work that she’s so passionate about, I’m inspired to do more and am reminded that giving time, effort, and energy to things with impact is the best way to live.

Where did most of your money go?

Who even knows? Basketball and bills? We saved more this year. I spent a little more on clothes. Lots of non-profit organizations and political campaigns got checks from.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Black Panther. I’m still really, really, really excited about that movie, the music, the experience, it’s success and how it wasn’t alone in the popular culture.

What song will always remind you of 2018?

Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. Happier or sadder?

I’m rarely very up or very down, but I lean towards optimism so let’s assume I’m happier.

ii. Thinner or fatter?

I weigh almost exactly the same as the beginning of the year, but I’m leaner.

iii. Richer or poorer?

We made that paper this year.

What do you wish you’d done more of?

Journaling and meditation: my days were always better when I started that way.

Volunteering: I gave money and advice regularly but rarely did I give of my time in 2018.

What do you wish you’d done less of?

Twitter and Instagram scrolling

Stewing in my own juices

How did you spend Christmas?

Here in LA with Tiffany and my family. The weather was gorgeous. The food was great. The gifts were delightful. There was so much basketball. I felt like the Björk song.

What was your favorite TV program?

Killing Eve was the best and most surprising show I watched all year.

Also worth your time:

The final season of The Americans
American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace
Star Trek: Discovery
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
The Good Place
Better Call Saul
The Good Fight
CW’s The Flash
Homecoming
Daredevil

What was the best book you read?

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

I also loved:

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff
Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage
Saga, Volumes 8 and 9 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

What was your most significant musical discovery of 2018?

Rosalia. She is a late in the year find courtesy of many a best of list, but her full-length El Mal Querer is incredible and has become my entry point into the wonderful world of Spanish language pop. I’m excited to dig deep in 2019.

The rest of my 2018 music adventures.

What did you want and get?

A promotion.

What did you want and not get?

Enough no votes on Brett Kavanaugh.

What was your favorite film of this year?

Black Panther. That’s my shit.

The rest of my faves:

If Beale Street Could Talk
Crazy Rich Asians
A Star is Born
Annihilation
Widows
A Quiet Place
Sorry to Bother You
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Mission: Impossible Fallout

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

43. My birthday wasn’t great.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

The Sparks going deep into the WNBA Playoffs. Despite knowing this wasn’t their year, the way they went out was disheartening.

What political issue stirred you the most?

Mass shootings and gun violence made me feel sad and helpless (but inspired by the actions of the youth in this country in their aftermath). The nomination of Brett Kavanaugh and the way Christine Blasey Ford was treated by our elected officials, though, pissed me the fuck off.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Ignoring the obvious answer, we really gotta get Stephen Miller out the paint.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2018?

Age and income appropriate. I started using Stitch Fix to upgrade my wardrobe a bit and have found it to work for me pretty well, especially with pants that I wouldn’t seek out for myself and some statement pieces that get compliments every time I break them out.

What kept you sane?

Riding the bus every day reminds me that my daily worries are likely minuscule compared to many others in my community and it teaches me patience. Public Transportation in Los Angeles forces you to slow down and accept that most things in this life you can’t control but we all get where we’re going, eventually.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I thought Cardi B and Ariana Grande were the most exciting celebrities this year and Mona Chalabi’s data journalism and visualization are making her kind of famous, too. I think that’s hella cool.

Who did you miss?

Uncle Mike. Always.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2018.

Emotional intelligence isn’t just a work skill.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Go back to the beginning of this post.

What’s one photo that sums up your year?

Just out here being beautiful (📸: @mellemusic)

December 31, 2015 / 0 Comments

Thank You

“There’s no righteousness in your darkest moment.” — Sleater-Kinney, Sympathy

Thank you, 2015, for pushing me to go beyond what’s comfortable. For giving Tiffany great work opportunities and a shake up to her routine (and mine). For London. For meaningful conversations with loved ones. For Dominique Toney on my tv. For Omaha. For 80 years of Pauline. For successful knee surgeries. For xoxo. For the creative work I was able to do around the GRAMMYs and elsewhere. For getting to highlight my mom in some of those ventures. For DC. For reconnections with old friends and acquaintances. For new friends. For Kendrick, Kamasi, and Kaiyote. For the Force and Furiosa. And Creed. For Coates and Woodson and James and G. Willow. For being able to see myself and people who look like my friends in the pop culture narrative. For Hamilton. For biscuits. For basketball. For acknowledging the passage of time and being okay with who I am and who I’m not in this moment.

For friends. For family.

For Suzie.

For tomorrow and whatever may come.

December 25, 2014 / 0 Comments

2014 Annual Report

“You know you’re better than that.” – Little Dragon, Mirror

I didn’t make goals for 2014. I had professional ones, sure, but no overarching personal plan like I had in 2013. This year rapidly got away from me and I never caught up.

2014 was hard. Is hard. A review of my activity on Thinkup would lead you to believe that this year started in August with the murder of Michael Brown and the rising tide of emotion and action that has come since. This is what I leave this year with: that racism continues to dominate the institutions that make up our society and it is quite literally killing and terrorizing black people and this must change. Black lives matter. I want to scream it.

sometimes i do.

Also, men are terrible. And the evidence suggests want to be and want to continue to be. This too must change. I apologize for any and all actions during my life where I wasn’t the man, the human, I like to think I am.

See? 2014 got me fucked up.

I’ve thought about this a lot since I tumblr’ed it in September. I’ve failed at this professionally since about August. I haven’t “made fun” but I’ve definitely leaned towards complaint over action. I hope to shake that off over the next 2 weeks and begin 2015 in Just Do It mode. No excuses. Make cool shit. Every day.

This is not to give short shrift to the accomplishments of the year at work. We started publishing live entertainment stories on AXS.com in April, right before Jazz Fest. Speaking of, I got to attend my first New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival this year! I wrote a few things I liked. We took what we learned from our first six months in responsive design on Examiner.com (I may not be proud of a good chunk of what gets published there but I’m proud of our UX work) and kicked it up several notches. I got to be creative in ways I haven’t been since I left The Mouse.

But I end the year feeling like we worry about the wrong things and not chasing greatness with what we publish.

Make cool shit. Every day.

At home and with friends, I’ve felt, I don’t know, distracted or distant, maybe? I’ve been so consumed with navigating work, I haven’t had mental space for much else including those I love. I don’t mean the grand gestures or the emergencies and the like. It’s easy for me to come through in those situations. It’s easy for me to give. But in the every day? In the small moments? I don’t think I really had it for y’all this year like I would want and I’m sorry. Brotha’s gonna work it out.

A toast to my health. Despite carrying 10 pounds more this year than last, I’ve been consistent with a personal trainer for the last six months. I’ve taken much greater advantage of my insurance and I’m getting every closer to buying a ticket on the eat right train. My doctor says I’m strong like bull so we’ll stick with that. I just want to be a more fit bull who is slimmer around the middle.

I also have to be more honest about my needs emotionally.

https://twitter.com/misterjt/status/545357397296807936

I tend to keep it pretty level but, this year, I think I’ve needed more…something. I don’t know what it is so I haven’t been able to say out loud to anyone, give me this, but there’s a hole. I’m feeling some kind of way about the world, about what I’m doing or not doing to make it a better place, and about the life I’m leading and I need…something. The early part of 2015 has got to be about figuring that out and saying out loud the answer to the equation.

But, tonight, let’s get to the accounting of things. I traveled to San Francisco, Denver (twice), New Orleans (twice), Palm Springs, Phoenix, and DC this year (I think that’s it). My office moved to Downtown LA at the beginning of the year and I really like working in that part of the city. I’ve never driven to the office.

I really need to do a better accounting of the shows I go to each year. Ray, once again, puts me to shame. But there were a few pretty exceptional shows. My sister, Dominique Toney, essentially closing the 4th of July show at Exposition Park (sorry Troop); Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings at the Wiltern with Sharon’s amazing post-cancer energy and short hair. Big Freedia on the Congo Stage at Jazz Fest just a few weeks after her mom passed. Laura Mvula on the Jazz Fest main stage. DJ Spinna’s Wonder-ful set at the Echoplex with Stevie Wonder showing up to surprise him and perform a bit. Har Mar Superstar in New Orleans on my birthday by myself. Also, Rhye. Jessie Ware. And a grip more at the echo/echoplex I’m forgetting.

The best thing I experienced this year, though, hands down was the WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix. It was the most entertaining women’s basketball game I’ve ever seen live. It was amazing how much of a women’s basketball town Phoenix is (and lovely to see considering Los Angeles…isn’t.) I was high off that experience for weeks.

That game and everything around it reminded me that for all the shit of 2014, we live in a world where a rookie from a reservation can be the best baller on the floor. We live in a world where an out lesbian black woman dunks with regularity and is cheered for it. This world exists.

The world changes. The world is changing. It starts small. It gets big. You put in the work. You make cool shit. Every day.

And some days, like on July 19th 2014, your shit is the coolest shit.

Thanks 2014. I won’t miss you but I hope to think back on you fondly as the spark.

December 31, 2013 / 0 Comments

2013 Annual Report

“Wasted time, can’t get that back, so everything I go hard.” – Pusha T, No Regrets

These were the goals for 2013 (written in February):

Do more of what makes you awesome
Be more invested…
- In the lives of those I love
- In the moment
- In my own well-being
Go outside and see, do, live

The last one is easy to assess. I saw nearly 20 musical performances live this year. I started going to yoga on most Saturdays. I traveled to Greensboro, Denver, New Orleans, Louisville, Palm Springs, La Jolla and San Diego, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, and even stay-cationed in Santa Monica for Valentine’s Day. I walked more, biked more, and ended the year spending way more time in public transportation than my car. I accepted more invitations than I declined and I regularly felt inspired by my experiences away from most of my screens.

I won’t be making my goals for 2014 for another month but I hope this trend grows and continues. Ray spent his 2013 going to 157 shows which is insane but also feels like a challenge. More shows in 2014, y’all. Must.

I feel ill-equipped to determine how I did on being more invested. One of the interesting parts of living in the default of optimism is I have short memory for “bad things.” So, what I know is that I was much more deliberate about being engaged and admonished myself (often in my journal) when I noticed I wasn’t. I did spend more time with my sister this year. I saw friends near and far a little more often and tried to make the most of that time. I relished the moments when Tiffany and I turned off our gadgets and just talked.

I didn’t see my parents as much as I would’ve liked. I didn’t talk to my extended family as much as I would’ve liked (but more than I’ve done in recent years). I skipped a funeral.

In matters of my own well-being, I read more. I wrote more. I learned a little bit. I got easily derailed from my commitments to physical health. I’m more successful at getting back to exercise and far less good at staying on the eat right train. As usual.

And so we get to the big question: Did I do more of what makes me awesome? At work, I think so. I struggled with managing a team from afar but we accomplished most of our goals for the year. I stayed committed to quality and discipline and a balanced and pragmatic approach to strategic decisions. I took advantages of opportunities as they presented themselves and created some great opportunities in the process.

In life as a whole, I worked hard at being kind. Outside of people on terrible reality television shows, I presumed the best of intentions of those I interacted with more often than I thought the worst. I’d like to think that’s my default now. Should we meet, know that I assume you are intelligent and capable and that I don’t know the troubles in your life. I hope our interaction is filled with dignity and compassion.

I’m sure I fail at “being more awesome” constantly but I’m trying y’all. And because I made it a goal and a practice this past year, I’d like to think I got a little bit better at it ever day.

Thanks 2013.