April 1, 2003

It is now 5:36AM and I'm going to sleep. I had a lot of paper work to do earlier and I just finished recording a song that is going to be on my album. The recording session went well. Last week, I was trying to decide whether to record it or another song. I prayed about it. They are both good songs, but I needed to choose the one that will give the album that final touch it needs. The song I recorded today has been in my head since last Friday. It's a good song so I didn't mind. It is good to finally record it and I know I made the right choice listening to the playback. 

It suits the mood I'm in right now as well. I'm not in a bad mood, but more of a serious, somber mood with everything that's happening right now with the war. It's not a song about war, though. I have no desire to make a song about war right now. I did all that sounding off about it on the sound off page because that's how I feel. Ironically, today I looked at the break down of the web site's hits and the article I wrote on March 21st about the war on the sound off page was viewed by a lot more people than usual, as there was a 70% surge in hits after I put the article on line. That page gets a lot of hits per day, but the increase was very noticeable. Well, it's good that, that many people read it and I hope it was helpful.   

You know what's strange, there is an album I listen to very often and for several years now and one of the tracks on it is about war. The song is well written, but since the war, I haven't been able to  listen to the album like I usually do. It's not that I said, well I'm not gonna listen to it, but when a war actually happens, it's hard to listen to a song like that even though it is on one of my favorite albums. You just feel strange about it. I think it's because of the somber mood of the war and that song is just gonna make me feel worse.

Well, I'm going to sleep now and you guys are probably getting ready for work. I hope you have a good day. Remember to pray for the soldiers and the civilians involved in the war; after all, we are over here, it's the least we can do for them in what they are facing there. God bless them and God bless you.   

April 2, 2003

I've been working in the studio today (when am I not). I recorded last night as well. I did work on the promo tour as well.  

Judging by the site statistics, the article I wrote on March 31st, 2003 on the sound off page about the music industry received the most hits of any article I've put on that page of the web site. 

I think our paper guy is trying out for a football team, as he throws the newspaper everywhere, but on the porch (baby, please throw the paper on the porch). Recently, he threw it in one of the flower beds and it was kind of funny watching my mom trying to retrieve it -Aisha giggling as she remembers-. I offered to get the paper out of the flower bed, but my mom was closer to it and said she would get it...and she did... after a couple minutes - Aisha giggling again-. It's a good thing my mom is not internet savvy, so she probably won't read that joke...well, until it is published as apart of my book...but then I can just hide her glasses. 

My mom is learning about computers though. She knows how to turn off the monitor (you go girl!). When I fall asleep and forget to turn off one of the computers, she'll turn off the monitor. Next lesson, I'll teach you how to start the whole computer, mom. 

My dad doesn't know a whole lot about computers either, which is why my little sister Trudi is making a fortune typing up documents and researching music info for him on the internet. Sometimes he will ask me to research music info on the net for him for segments of his show, but I'm like, ran out of money this month paying Trudi to research for you, huh. I'm kidding. 

He knows a lot about electronics from his DJ and recording equipment and the equipment at the station. He just doesn't spend a lot of time on the computer. I tell him, it's basically trail and error and then you will learn it well. Both my parents are very smart, but they prefer reading the newspaper or watching the news on TV, whereas I'm more inclined to read newspapers on the internet. On Sunday I read the actual newspaper as well, though. 

I was watching an interview on the sports news last night with David Beckam, the England captain and he spoke of his hopes for winning England's scheduled match against Turkey (soccer). That's sweet, but they should just go out there and do their best. It doesn't matter if they win. There's no pressure, no pressure at all -you guys better beat Turkey, says Aisha glaring at the screen-. Serve them up like it's Thanksgiving. Get the joke? Turkey, the country and turkey, the bird for Thanksgiving dinner. Oh wait, Thanksgiving is American not English. Never mind. 

To the people of Turkey, I was kidding and when my single and album are released, please buy it. Please don't hold that Turkey joke against me. I'm just playing guys. 

April 3, 2003

Good morning, I'm in the studio right now working on finishing up the album. I hope you guys are doing well. I'm going to go to sleep in a while. I have to thank God. This has been a very productive week so far.  

It's Thanksgiving, England won 2-0! I see my glaring and threats worked (I'm kidding). The secret to every victory... is issuing threats and glaring. See, I told you guys on the sound off page that I'd make a good coach, wait... I didn't say good coach, I said scary coach... same thing! Remember, a couple weeks ago when I said they should trip a certain Arsenal player that keeps scoring all those goals -cough- Thierry Henry. I'm kidding. 

Uh, for those of you who are thinking, er Thanksgiving is in November and it is now April , what's Aisha talking about? scroll up and read the last 2 paragraphs from yesterday's diary entry. I haven't seen the match yet, because there is a bit of a delay with the sports channel I watch my soccer matches on, but hopefully I will see it soon. 

I read about an April Fool's joke in Japan where a paper published a fake article stating that David Beckham would be transferring from Man U (in England) to Japan. Many people in Japan were happy about the news, which they later found out was an April Fool's joke. The newspaper received many complaints over the joke. That's like printing an article in the Miami Herald telling the people here that Michael Jordan is the newest member of the Miami Heat, then a day later saying April Fools. ooo that would get ugly.

April 4, 2003

Guess what, I actually went to sleep at a respectable hour last night (about 2:30am) -applause-. Hey for a musician, that's pretty early. So, I woke up this morning before 8AM and basically thought the clock was wrong haha! I'm used to going to sleep at that hour. 

I'm doing mostly paperwork right now. I was recording about an hour ago. I also bought this new software that I'm trying out. So far it works well. Once I familiarize myself with the software, I'm okay. 

I've got a lot of things to do today. More recording and more paperwork. I also have to apply for some clearances. Haven't decided on all of them yet, but I have about 80% of them. 

I discovered a few great songs this week. It was on an old album that I've had for years, but never listened to as I should have, only a few tracks. I've had one particular song on repeat all morning. This was a pretty good album. 

Yesterday, I received an email from one of my friends in England. He is a very giving person. He sends me music, movies, info ect. he sees that he thinks might interest me (thanks babes, I really appreciate it) as he knows how much I love England. 

In the email, he expressed that I seem so happy all the time. I'm thinking, do I come across that happy go lucky all the time. Well, I'm generally a happy person and I joke around a lot. To borrow a line from a comedy I used to watch when it was on TV "I'm not a complainer."

Seriously, I do not complain, I just fix whatever is wrong by God's grace. I make the best of every situation. I told him the only thing that is making me sad right now is the war. I do understand why it is being fought and I'm with them, but out of respect for their suffering, you treat it with respect and seriousness. Other than that I don't really let things make me sad. I have a lot to thank God for and I love my work, which I look forward to getting up and working on everyday, so I'm content.

April 8, 2003

Hi guys! How are you this morning. I'm doing well, hope you are too. It's 8:14 AM (hey let me say it, how often am I actually able to say it's 8 AM). I'm awake, but I'm not really working yet. I've just been reading. You know those mornings where you are a bit slow to start working, cause, well you're kind of still sleeping.

I was watching a show about England a few days ago where one of the commentators named Day said in reference to spit roasting “the English had an intuitive feel for the fire, which was extraordinary” to which I giggled and said, well that’s cause it’s cold in England.

It’s just like a song that was out the other day by a band that lives in England. The hook is “why does it always rain on me” and once again I giggled and said “that’s cause you live in England.” That’s not what he meant, but hey that was my funny interpretation of it, as it rains a lot in England (my aunt’s garden was flooded last year). Still, that's why the greenery is so lovely there. You can even see the difference in the soccer fields in comparison to other countries.  

- Aisha’s English relatives and friends throw tomatoes at her for English jokes-. You know I’m kidding and that I would live in England anytime. 

Arsenal is scheduled to face Man U on the 16th. A few days ago, I caught some of the match between Santos and Necaxa (Mexican soccer) and the match between Charlton and Leeds United (English Premiership), 6-1...6-1 ooo I didn't know the points went that high, okay I'm kidding...I did know the points can go that high, just not used to seeing them go that high. Don't get mad, I'm just kidding.

Sometimes Jewish people make jokes that Jewish people are not athletic, but that's not true. A few days ago I watched one of the teams in the Israeli league called Maccabi Haifa and they are pretty good. It's really sad however, that they can't even base themselves in their hometown for fear of terrorist attacks. It's so ironic that their home games aren't even in their hometown, but held in a neighboring city. 

Soccer is considered the most popular sport in the world. It's slowly becoming more popular here as well, where American football, basketball and baseball are more popular.

The channel I watch my soccer matches on launched its MLS (Major League Soccer) segment last week, which is American soccer. I can't begin to tell you how strange it is for me listening to pre and post match interviews by players who don't have British, Spanish or Caribbean accents. It's like, hey, you're from here (shock). Miami had a team called the Fusion, but they folded last year. 

The LA Galaxy have a good team. I can see why they are the league's champions. They have a midfielder named Cobi. Er, is it a prerequisite that if you start a sports team in Los Angeles, there must be a player named Kobe/Cobi (pronounced the same) on the team. I'm kidding. Please, no hate mail from any of you that like the Lakers or the Galaxy.

Anyway, Miami is better! (raspberry). Besides, what do the Lakers have that the Miami Heat don't...championship titles and rings...and is that really something to brag about! I think not! No, really, we're not bitter, not bitter at all.

One of my favorite tennis players did well in a tournament last week, he won every match he played. Well, leave some for everyone else…ok, no. Mop the court with them every chance you get. He’s playing well and he isn't even in his prime yet. One of his main competitors is also a South Florida resident (Boca Raton) also known as bullet serve (that was a little joke, that’s not his real nickname). There are a couple others as well.

I think I'm sufficiently awake now. It's time for me to start recording. Have a good day guys.

April 11, 2003

It's my little sister Trudi's birthday. Happy Birthday sweetheart. Today she turns 14. I hope you have a wonderful day. They are taking her out to dinner tonight and tomorrow two of her friends are taking her to the movies.  

My little sister was named after a character on a show that was filmed in Miami years ago, that I have made reference to before on this web site. I love my little sister's name. Still, Trudi be glad they didn't name you "Crockett" or "Tubbs" (that was a family joke, but you've probably guessed what show I'm referring to). My dad named her Trudi after a character on Miami Vice. Her middle name is Rae. Her mom gave her that middle name after the actress Rae Dawn Chong.  

Today, I was joking with my sister over the phone about it. I said to her "do you realize that my name could have been Maude" (the TV show from the 70's) and she started laughing cause she knows it could have happened. I like the name Maude, but it would be too comical because of the show.

My dad loved that show. Ironically, growing up, The Golden Girls was my favorite show, which starred Bea Arthur, who also starred in Maude. Until a few years ago, I didn't know Maude was one of my dad's favorite shows in the 70's. I think it's genetics. I love music, soccer and tennis as well just like my dad.  

Speaking of names, last week my dad asked me if I read an article in the newspaper about black names that are discriminated against when applying for jobs. My first name was one of those names listed in the article. My dad said when I was born the name was not popular, which I'm hoping had nothing to do with me (kidding). My middle name Kamilah is also Arabic. It's the Arabic version of the British name Camilla. My dad joked that according to the article, with both names, either way you are in trouble. It made me laugh. I don't mind though, I love my names.  

I've spent the last few days in the studio recording. Things are going very well here. I hope you are well too. God bless. 

April 14, 2003

The POWs that were shown on television have been rescued from Iraq. That's great news. Their families must be thrilled. God bless them. 

I started recording early this morning. I recorded for quite a while this morning...and now I have to edit it. I've started editing, but I have a lot more to do because I did so much in one session. I haven't mixed the entire album yet, I've done mixes and sub-mixes of certain tracks, but not all of them yet, as there are other things that need to be added to some of them.  I have a few more guitar and piano parts to record for some of the tracks. It's not much though. 

I'm working on the soundtrack at the same time as well. I've completed a lot of that album too. I know the deadline I've set and how much time it allots me to finish up the albums, so I've been working on other things at the same time that need to be released around the same time. 

I did some work on the film today as well. The script has already been written, I've been working on getting the shoot together. I'm really enjoying it.

April 17, 2003

It is 2:05 am and I just woke up to start working. I went to bed early, sometime after 8pm last night. I have to record today and work on the new sites. I'm trying out another new program today. I used the older version of that software from about two years ago, so hopefully it has the same basics which will make it easier to learn (get the joke, BASIC, the computer language). 

That Manchester United vs. Arsenal game I mentioned last week that was scheduled for yesterday was very eventful, the game resulted in a draw, 2-2. It's always a favorite when those two teams play and it was a very interesting match - 4 goals, a red card, an argument breaking out over the red card, 2 yellow cards, questions raised about an alleged offside goal, Giggs getting angry and almost, er pursuing someone over an offense, Ljungberg, er talking trash to Van Nistelrooy, Wenger flipping his lid and Beckham benched the whole game (slight injury, but they could have used him out there and for a while it did look like he was going to play, but didn't). I've seen movies that were less dramatic than that match. 

Arsenal got off to a slow start, but did well as the game progressed. Once again, Thierry Henry just had to score a goal! I'm kidding (remember, the soccer player I jokingly said they should trip cause he scores too many goals). Technically they say both goals for Arsenal belong to him because he clipped one of them in, but it appears he only received credit for the other one. Did any of you see that Michael Jackson slide he did on the pitch after he scored the goal. He is the leading scorer for the team with 28 goals for the season, thus far. Anyway, he probably won't miss one goal too much. It's like Bill Gates, missing five dollars.       

My mom watched the match with me and I couldn't believe the stuff she was saying about the game. I sat there stunned at certain comments she made about the match. She isn't usually like that. I was terrified and feared for my safety (kidding). A few quotes from the evening courtesy of, er, my mom! (shock):

"stop posing and kick the ball!"

"the goal is that way!"  

"The ref is not calling enough fouls against Manchester United!" (the commentator later said that as well, so she was right).

"Hmmm and to think Arsenal are usually the rough ones!" 

"Stop playing with the ball. I can't stand when they play with the ball trying to set up the perfect shot, rather than just going for it."

Speaking of Arsenal, when my mom was my age, one of the guys who played for Arsenal used to ask her out. She was dating my dad though, so she didn't go out with him. Around that time, she also went with my dad to a dinner held for Muhammad Ali. He called my mom pretty and jokingly offered to fight my dad for her. Nice work mom, almost got daddy beat up. My dad is a tall, athletic guy...but he would have lost that fight. Hey, I look at things realistically. Love you daddy (ingratiating because of that joke).   

My dad is a good sport, but he isn't exactly fond of that story. My mom told me the story giggling and my dad basically had a "she almost got me beat up" fake smile on his face. I did my best not to laugh. I'm glad you are my dad, though. 

April 18, 2003

Happy Good Friday. I hope you have a good Easter holiday. Use it as a time to get closer to God. Honor this weekend for what it means and don't just treat it like any other holiday. 

I recorded and edited for about four hours this morning. It feels great getting the bulk of that song finished. I'm very pleased with how it sounds. The rest of it is easy to complete. I've been working on it for a few days. I also did some writing this morning. Personally, I'm also doing very well. I feel pretty good.  

April 25, 2003

Good morning, it's 4:45 am and I've just started working. I've had so much to do this week. I've been songwriting for the last few days and recording. I've been working on the movie and a few other projects as well.

I spoke to my little sister yesterday. My little nephew Liam and his mom Narria are spending sometime with them. She sent me his latest pics and he is so precious. He is a very pleasant baby. I speak to my sister by instant messenger almost everyday. It's funny, my dad and other people try to tell me that my little sister is not always the well behaved little individual that she is with me. For example, I'll talk to him on the phone first and he will say, "talk to your little sister, she's harassing me" then she will talk to me and no matter what they say, she will say "they're lying. I'm innocent." So, basically I'm the sucker that falls for it and when people tell me something I reply "that's not true. She said she's innocent."     

My little god-brother is doing well. I spoke to him a few days ago. He couldn't get on the internet because of something with the service, so I was helping him fix his computer over the phone. He was telling me he didn't want to go to the barber that day. He said he has practice and there's usually a long wait to get his hair cut, so he wouldn't get there on time. I thought he was kidding, then he laughed and said "put it this way, I go there (barbershop) at 4:30 and don't leave until after 7. I fall asleep on the bench and get some good sleep there." 

He's playing three sports this year, that's pretty good...and as usual his mom is embarrassing him at his games by cheering the loudest of all the parents and making comments about how well he plays and how handsome he is. Of course, when she embarrasses him like that, he says he pretends he doesn't know her and he tells her that too. They're just kidding with each other and his friends know his mom and her sense of humor and that she is doing that to make him blush. 

It's been really warm here this week. I went shopping and that was a bit eventful. One guy that was trying to ask me out wouldn't let go of my hand, while I was trying to be polite, but leave at the same time cause I had somewhere I needed to get to (why does that keep happening to me. I guess grabbing someone's hand forces them to stay put). I sort of got my hand free, but he was still holding on to my pinky and my ring finger. It was kind of funny though. I'm laughing to myself thinking this guy won't let go of my fingers. I wanted to laugh, but I didn't want to encourage it. He didn't know either that his friend was trying to ask me out before he got there. 

Another guy that tried to ask me out was very bold. He asked me a bunch of questions, then all of a sudden asked me if I smoke weed. I laughed and said no. Then he said he didn't think I did because I'm too charming to. Coincidentally, he was smoking something that I'd like to think was a cigarette (that was a joke...but I don't smoke either). I laughed about it because I went 26 years without anyone asking me if I smoke weed and I never have. I've never done drugs. You would think I was somewhere questionable, but I wasn't. I had just stepped out of a record store that is apart of a national chain. 

April 26, 2003

I woke up this morning at about 8am and started working. I wrote songs today and did a lot of paperwork. I still have a stack of paperwork on my desk that’s about a foot high, though. I also did some work on the new sites.

It's been raining for most of the day (it was a thunderstorm). I didn't mind though. I've had a good day. Now, I'm looking forward to getting some rest. Hope you have a good night. 

April 29, 2003

It’s been really busy around here. Today, I’m using a new audio set up to finish up the album. I saved those segments for last. I'll be recording in a bit. I have a lot of paperwork to do as well, it's a whole box full. There's got to be a couple thousand documents in that box. I'm not kidding. I've been working on it a few hundred pages at a time. 

Yesterday, I picked up a few books at the book store, ordered some CDs, and went looking at houses and office space (not in that order). Someone wants to buy my house, so I’m looking for another house. I don’t plan on staying in Miami permanently and I haven’t decided where I want to move to yet. For now, I will find somewhere else here and keep Miami as my base until I decide. I’m going to be traveling a lot because of the album anyway.

I enjoy going to places, I’m just not too keen on the long flights, for example, Australia. Once you get to your destination it’s worth it, though. However, I was just reading on a web site where a man, went to Hawaii for a bit, then left for Australia breaking up the distance into two 10 hour trips. I think I'm gonna try that instead. A 20 hour plus flight is something that I would like to avoid. 

My god-brother's mom ran into Sean Paul a few days ago (my dad knows some of the people at his label as well, he did a tribute on his radio show to the CEO who died recently). She called my god-brother so he could speak to Sean and my god brother didn't catch the call. He said his cell phone was on, but he didn't notice the call until the next day haha.

You know what's even funnier, his mom works for a well-known cell phone company and they love dissing other people's phones that use their competitors services -cough- my mom's. Ooo I can see the commercial now. Got an important call, use __________ to insure you miss it haha. They're gonna get me for that one, buy hey, I didn't put the company's name…and the check better be in the mail or I'm putting the name of the cell phone company on the site. I'm just kidding.

Speaking of my god-brother John, he loves sports and plays several. A funny story we tease him about... A few years ago, my mom, John and his mom went to a Miami Dolphins vs. The New York Jets game. John doesn't usually like South Florida teams (even though he lives here) with the exception of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of Johnson and Sapp. He usually likes New York and California teams (though he does like the Dolphins now, as he says they are improving).

During the game they were seated in a section that was mostly full of people there to support the Dolphins and my little god-brother yelled out "Let's Go Keyshawn!" (Keyshawn played for the opposing team). My mom said a hushed silence fell over the section they were seated in and people turned around to see who said that. Hey, you're in Miami, you just don't yell something like that.

My mom said my god-brother was genuinely stunned at the reaction. Someone jokingly asked "whose child is this?" Then someone else asked my mom if John was her son to which she replied "oh no!" Then someone asked his mom if she was his mother and she replied, "I don't know him" haha (yes, we're very supportive of each other). Then they started teasing him in a fake threatening sort of way by yelling things like "little boy, where do you live?"

He is like that, though. When I took him to meet Alonzo Mourning at the mall a few years ago (Miami Heat), knowing the history between him and Dennis Rodman, John wanted to go up to him and say "Hey Dennis Rodman." I told him, you do that and when mall security comes around I will pretend I don't know you haha. Thankfully, he behaved. He likes to joke around that way.