My Life To Do List

Oh it is a wintry writer's retreat #backyardwriters #poconosweekend #poconos (at Long Pond P.A.)

Friends, I launched a weekly storytelling podcast and three episodes in, one of my own stories made it in. Subscribe to Story Shuffle on your podcatcher of choice or check the link in my bio. Hear stories on Learning to Love ❤️ from @nealsantos and me and subscribe for the next six months!

I'm v proud 🏆 of the profile currently on the homepage of Harvard's @niemanlab profiling @technicallym and our approach to a diverse business model. Thanks to an incredible team who make it happen. Link in the bio #journalismnews (at Technically Media)

As part of our @technicallym #mlkday of service, we heard from a beautiful a Capella men's choir trio at the Bryant Baptist Church in South Philly, where we're doing a cleanup and some community outreach. #mlkweekend #dayofservice #mlkphilly #southphilly #bryantbaptist #bryantbaptistchurch (at Bryant Baptist Church)

Hey 👋🏾 in January 2009, @shannonawink I attended (from afar) the inauguration of President Barack Obama. I was proud. As an American, I wish *every* democratically elected leader of ours well. That was a very special day eight years ago. Today, like then, I wish for peace and posterity and civility and will continue to do everything in my power to contribute to it. #obama

One of my 2017 resolutions is to read at least one new writer of color each month. I kicked things off early and finished up Zadie Smith's debut novel "White Teeth" from 2000, well timed with her latest recent release. Among my favorite lines of hers: "Time is the horizontal axis of morality." Her themes on immigration remains timely. I'm gonna share here as I keep up on my commitment. #resolutions #wocmonthly16 #cgwresolutions #2017resolutions

December: Host Family Christmas -- Wouldn't that be nice?

""My, how foolish I am!" my friend cries, suddenly alert, like a woman remembering too late she has biscuits in the oven. "You know what I've always thought?" she asks in a tone of discovery and not smiling at me but a point beyond. "I've always thought a body would have to be sick and dying before they saw the Lord. And I imagined that when he came it would be like looking at the Baptist window: pretty as colored glass with the sun pouring through, such a shine you don't know it's getting dark. And it's been a comfort: to think of that shine taking away all the spooky feeling. But I'11 wager it never happens. I'11 wager at the very end a body realizes the Lord has already shown Himself. That things as they are"—her hand circles in a gesture that gathers clouds and kites and grass and Queenie pawing earth over her bone—"just what they've always seen, was seeing Him. As for me, I could leave the world with today in my eyes."

December: RESOLVE -- On it :) 

Here is my vivacious coworker @alexandriatheegreatest during our annual @technicallym All Team Day. As part of the day's programming, eight teammates gave half-hour presentations on their side hustles. Alex's? Hosting dinner parties, a natural one for a fast developing and natural events producer. The day was special and Alex is someone I care a lot about. She talked about things like: don't let the music control the mood but be a part of it, always serve three courses and don't underestimate the little details (like a table scape). I was very proud of her. #TMATD16 #ATD2016 #allteamday

Snorkeling along the Belize Barrier Reef

At our 4th annual holiday party, @shannonawink and I made a little challenge to our guests: throw a little cash in a jar for regional food pantry @philabundance and we'd match it. Wow we exceed expectations. With our match, we'll be sending $470 to the largest provider of food to needy families.

I sure was getting a lot of looks when I was walking my @circlethrift donations over today. (📸 @shannonawink )

Since 2009, this dramatic use of six former industrial warehouses to create 85,000 square feet of large scale outdoor murals has changed the neighborhood. But has any lasting good come from bus loads of tour groups, beautiful or not? #wynwoodwalls #miamiquestions (at Wynwood Walls)

Whoa, it has come to my attention that everyone doesn't slip notes 📝 of encouragement to sturdy civil servants when they pay their utility bills (in paper, not online because, well, it's complicated). Maybe give it a try? Or maybe I'm just gumming up the process. 🤔