Moving Stinks!

I have been spending the last week packing and moving. I have come to the conclusion that unless you have someone moving you completely, i.e. packing the old location, moving, and placing everything in the correct place at the new location, MOVING STINKS! Mind you my most current move was within the same city, but it was still tedious.

It never ceases to amaze me how much one can accumulate over a short period of time. I was moving out of the loft I moved into post-show and into a condo. In less than a year I accumulated everything under the sun. Add to my new finds, my old souvenirs from Baylor, Michigan, and my time in Austin pre-show, and you have a heap of stuff (for lack of a better word).

As I was packing I wondered if I would ever see light at the end of the tunnel. My sweet dad came into town for the weekend to help me—bless his heart. I know I stressed him out. Except for church, food, and the Austin Monthly August issue kickoff party, I didn’t come up for air. To add to my sense of urgency, I was scheduled to head to New York this weekend.

Well, I am happy to report that I have found light at the end of the tunnel. After staying up until 4:00 a.m. and sleeping for an hour, I was able to comfortably leave my condo without lamenting about what I was leaving behind. My living room, with five years worth of Jazzercise cds is organized. My bedroom, with a closet strategically stuffed to the bone with all of my clothes and shoes is organized. And my kitchen, which I wonder if I should convert into a closet because I don’t cook, is complete. Yes, there are still some boxes to sort when I return, but I have made serious headway. I consider that a victory!

More importantly, my latest move has led me to an important theory. Forget spring cleaning, an annual move is the best way to clean out the closets, organize your life, and start anew. For me, moving has been symbolic, like my own personal kickoff party for starting a new chapter in the life of Roxanne. And so last night I stepped out on my balcony looked at the beautiful city of Austin, and yelled HELLO WORLD!

-RXW

African American Women and Breast Cancer

For those of you who don't know, I am on the board of the Susan G. Komen Foundation Austin Affiliate. One of the reasons I joined the board was because of the major impact of breast cancer on the African American community. African Americans have the highest mortality rate of breast cancer of any ethnic group. As a result, there is a desperate need for early detection. I am working to promote and inform the community about the magnitude of breast cancer and to encourage others to join the fight for the Cure. Getting more African Americans involved in sharing information about breast cancer can save lives. Nationally, Komen has created an advisory council in response to the startling statistics among African Americans. Locally, Komen Austin is conscious about a need to reach out to the African American community and we are asking the community for help.


Last week I had the honor along with Raette Hearne, an African American local breast cancer survivor, of going on KAZI's morning show and speak to the listeners and answer questions about Komen and the fight against breast cancer. We spoke about monthly self examinations, volunteering, and upcoming Komen events including the Race for the Cure and the BMW Ultimate Drive. Our gracious host, Richard Franklin was engaged in the topic. Richard even took a moment to reflect on the concept that men can get breast cancer. Unfortunately, Richard was unwilling to conduct his own self-examination in support of his male listeners.

We received great responses from the show and Komen has been invited to several events anopportunitieses where we can continue to educate and partner with the community. For more information about Komen and/or to locate your local Komen affiliate, go to Komen. If you live in Austin or the surrounding area go to Komen Austin. You can do something good for the Cure!
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In response to a comment from my last blog, my book is inspiritational. Stay tuned . . .
-RXW

Miamianapolis

I am back from my trip to the Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration and Zo’s Summer Groove. That’s right: I was in Indianapolis and Miami. Both cities were hot and humid. My purpose for attending the Summer Celebration was to participate as a panelist in a Town Hall meeting on the state of the black family with a focus on increasing wealth. The Town Hall meeting was in the evening. When I arrived in Indiana, I headed directly to the business awards luncheon. The main honoree and keynote speaker of the luncheon was Sidney Poitier.
Understand that I have known Sidney Poitier since I was little. I use the term “known” loosely. My father used to walk around the house singing To Sir With Love. I remember watching Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner in my living room as a little girl. And now I was going to hear the seventy-nine year old Sidney Poitier speak before me. And speak, he did. The same poise, grace, and eloquence that captured my attention as a child is alive an well in Mr. Poitier today. It was a moment I will cherish. Needless to say that I was humming To Sir With Love for the rest of the day . . . Special thanks to my girl Kara from the Indiana Black Expo.


The next day I flew to Zo’s Summer Grove in Miami. The first night I attended the comedy show and Ludacris performance. I haven’t laughed that hard in ages. The next day I saw my girl Allie who happened to be in Miami as well. I walked around South Beach and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. That evening I attended the Gala and Gloria Estefan concert. Gloria had me on my feet dancing and singing. I think I may have to look her up on itunes and download some of my old favorites.

All for now. I am in Austin this week working on my book.

Be sure to check out my interview with Michael!

-RXW

I just returned from Nashville where I spent the 4th of July with my sister and my dad. It was a relaxing holiday.

Before I flew to Nashville, I was interviewed by Tribeza magazine. I don’t want to give anything away, but the interview was quite pampering. Check out the article next month. I will be sure to post the article on my site.

New photographs will be posted soon. I thank you for your patience. My site is being redesigned to support a high volume of photographs in the gallery. In the meantime, you can always check out the pictures on the “X” factor.

I am home this week working on my book.

Don’t forget to check out my interview with Charmaine on insidepulse.com http://tv.insidepulse.com/articles/49469

Here are more pictures from the BET awards: