A Magazine for Today’s Plus Size A Magazine for Today’s Plus Size A Magazine for Today’s Plus Size A Magazine for Today’s Plus Size

April/May Volume 1/Issue 4

$4.00

ISSN-1939-3210

Sensational Diva (poem)

Let me educated you in the Sensational Diva with words I have compiled Breaking down the formula of the B-I-G in rhythmic poetic Style

But before I do

To those without a clue.

B to the I to the G Is for the reason we have words like CLASSY.

No dis’ no shame,

No guilt just beauty acclaim

The Sensational is the molecule That feeds off the Diva giving the B-I-G its fuel.

Now relax because there’s more to the cause

And note: Always give the B-I-G respect when you see a Sensational Diva, U-PAUSE.

STOP! Give a shout out if you will Don’t hate because you’re not… A Sensational Diva is not born but instilled.

Voluptuously shaped and uniquely designed,

Big busted with all the right curves down to the raw behind.

If you could drink a Sensational Diva it would be called Sunshine, Perfectly made, ready to serve one sip at a time.

A Sensational Diva’s DNA has a prodigy of expectancy we all acquire,

The Sisters Of Strength and dignity with the power to inspire.

Here you have before you a Sexual, Essential, Nurturing, Stylish, Acquiring, Tremendously, I rresistible, Obvi-ously, Not, At, Limitations,

Doesn't Desires, Important, Value, Associated with discrimination.

A Sensational Diva is not just a bunch of word thrown together to create a hype

It’s a phrase to express the beauty of every B-I -G type.

© by vmkw 2008

American Heart Association challenges women to know their heart disease risk Too few women realize that heart disease is their No. 1 killer and are taking action to prevent it. But the good news is that heart disease can largely be prevented. For that reason, the Go Red For Women movement encourages women to improve their heart health while taking action to fight women’s heart disease. Go Red For Women debuted in February 2004 with a goal to raise awareness of the risks associated with heart disease. With one in three adult women in the United States suffering from a form of cardiovascu-lar disease, Go Red For Women recognizes the urgency of women’s heart disease. As a result, Go Red wants women to do more than just be aware, but to visit their healthcare provider and take the Go Red Heart Check Up. The Go Red Heart Check Up is an online, personal heart disease risk assessment for women. When com-pleted, women are encouraged to print the 10-year assessment and bring it to their health care provider to develop a personal plan that matches their needs. “We can no longer ignore heart disease,” said Joycelyn Farmer, Vice President of Cultural Health, American Heart Association. “While awareness is important, it’s time for women to take action now – take the Go Red Heart Check Up and learn how to protect their hearts. By taking the Check Up, they will know what’s in store for them if they change nothing. This is a Check Up no woman should miss.” Go Red For Women is channeling its energies and resources to connect with real women and share with them the tools and information they need to protect themselves and their loved ones. For more informa-tion about Go Red For Women or how you can join the movement, please call 1-888-MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278) or visit GoRedForWomen.org. The Go Red For Women movement is nationally sponsored by Macy’s.

About Go Red For Women

Since 2004, Go Red For Women has captured the energy, passion, and intelligence of women to work collectively to wipe out heart disease – the No. 1 killer of women. Today, we want millions of women across America to take heart disease personally. Using the simple platform "Love Your Heart," Go Red For Women engages these women – and the men who love them – to embrace the cause. Healthcare providers, celebrities, and politicians also elevate the cause and spread the word about women and heart disease. For more information about Go Red For Women, please call 1-888-MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278) or visit GoRedForWomen.org. The movement is nationally sponsored by Macy’s.

2 31

A Magazine For Today’s Plus Size Woman

TM

Down That Aisle in Style 6

THE UN-COMFORT ZONE 8

Extreme Dieting 12

8 Reasons You Should Drop Your Boyfriend Immediately!

21

What’s on My IPOD? Adele and Prince!

22

Southern BBQ Chicken 25

Author’s Corner K’wan– Gutter

26

We are already into April 2009 and so much is happen-

ing! Personal tragedies have prevented me from getting

this magazine out until now. But since starting this

magazine and going through some things, I know that

with God we can do all things! I had wanted to have so

much more done with the magazine by now but it didn’t

happen. Patience, which is the first thing I talked about in the premier issue is what I

am still striving to achieve. This magazine is so important to me. I get emails daily

from women that say this is something that they had been looking for. But I also

have been receiving emails from men wanting to know where a plus size magazine

for them was coming. I got to thinking, hmm, is there a magazine out there for large

men? In all my research I found that no magazine existed. So In May 2009, we will

debut the premier issue of “Men of Distinction Magazine”. We are so very excited

about it and hope that every man and woman will be please with it. In May the

magazine will have a different look. On one side it will be Sensational Diva Maga-

zine and on the other side it will be Men of Distinction Magazine.

As always we welcome all comments and suggestions! Email me at amber-

smith@sensational-diva.com

This is YOUR magazine!!!!

Enjoy the Journey!!

Amber Y. SmithAmber Y. SmithAmber Y. SmithAmber Y. Smith

4

In The Next Issue:

From coast to coast and continent to continent...readers are

loving the book! Here's what some are saying...

Dr. Makai displays a refreshing streak of originality in

this new book...it is well-researched, provides numer-

ous historical lesions and covers many contemporary

issues...without giving too much away, it is a fresh,

original, inspirational, can't-stop-reading, chuckling,

nodding, etc, kind of book...read it for the sake of not

missing out! It will be time well spent

- Dr. David Sam, Esq., President

Elgin College, Elgin, Illinois

Dr. Kozhi has taken life's simplest concepts and mas-

saged them so that from the simplest minds to the one

without measure, one can sit back and self-reflect

- Stefanie Dugan, Administrative Services Manager

City of Oakland, Oakland, California

I feel like my privacy has been invaded...as though

something inside me that I couldn't and didn't investi-

gate has been yanked to the surface and articulated

for all to read. The upside is I don't think I'll be the

only one feeling this way

- Itwi Liwena, Architect, Marseille, France

Atlanta’s Plus Size Modeling Agency on the rise!

What’s on My IPOD! Mint Condition!!!

Jennifer Barreto-Leya: Venezuelan Plus Size Model

Contributing Writers

Mary L. Wilson

Durk Dugan

Kaththry Heidecker

Ida Byrd Hill

Robert Wilson

Without the following people, this magazine would not have been possible

SENSATIONAL DIVA™, A Magazine for Today’s Plus Size Woman is published Monthly by REMBA INC. (Publisher). The ISSN number is 1939-3210.

Reproduction in any part is strictly prohibited with the express written permission of the Publisher. The material contained herein does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher or its staff. Sensational Diva™ reserves the right to edit all material for clar-ity and space and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors or omissions. Sensational Diva does not knowingly accept mislead-ing or false advertisements, photos or editorials. All submitted advertisements or elements used for advertising are provided by ad-

vertisers or their agents. They represent that they have authority to publish all pictures, names, and or endorsements. Publisher assumes no responsibility for any misleading or erroneous advertising or editorial that appears. Any photos or submissions become

the property of Sensational Diva™ Dtbz Productions and Dominic Ledbetter. For Advertising rates and Subscription rates call 314-583-4816

or email us at amber-smith@sensational-diva.com.

©2009 Sensational Diva™ and entire contents is copyright.

J- Mae’s Cooking Corner

Johnnie Weaver

Photographers

Amber Smith

Jeff Thomas

Todd Burchyett

Publisher

Amber Y. Smith Founder/Editor

RRRRemba emba emba emba IIIIncorporated ncorporated ncorporated ncorporated

TM

.What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

*In the beginning, the most difficult parts for me to write were the sex scenes. I mean, getting nasty behind closed doors is one thing, but articulating it for the world to read is another. I always found myself stumbling with these parts be-cause I was thinking too hard. What I started doing was drawing on personal experiences and it flowed a little smoother. That's why my erotic stories are so intense. My favorite parts to write would probably be the breaking points, the parts where the main character finally snaps.

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story about.

Well, Gutter will be out on Sept. 2nd. Its the follow up to Gangsta. The next project after that will be out next year. Its the third installment of the Hood Rat series, but I'm not telling the title just yet. Too many mutha fuckas stealing...LOL

6. What book of your is your favorite?

I don't know if I have a favorite book. They're all like my kids and I don't play favorites. Now as far as which ones I had the most fun writing are Hood Rat and Gutter. Hood Rat, because most of it was based on real stuff and Gutter, because I was finally finishing one of my most well received pieces.

Mary L. Wilson "QUEEN PEN OF THE INK PEN"

Titles include: Ghetto Luv, Still Ghetto

And Coming Soon: Just Can’t Win and Damage

www.myspace.com/msghettoluv

5

.

Down that Aisle in Style: A Wedding Guide for Full-Figured Women.

Chamein Canton is not only an author but her life could be a story by itself. She is a single mother of twin boys, a cancer survivor and a multiple sclerosis survivor also. She put herself through college, is a business owner, literary agent and also the author of 4 books. Including “Down That Aisle in Style”. As young as 4 years old, Chamein knew that she wanted to be a wedding consult-ant. She would make cakes in her Easy Bake Oven ™ . Chamein is a romantic and realized that she could help others create their perfect day and make is a romantic and spectacular as she could. She decided to focus on plus size women because she saw that plus size women had a hard time finding their perfect dress and in planning their day. Women on a daily basis are inundated with visions of what beauty is supposed to be. Even in some commercials for bridal gowns, we see women that are in a size 4. But the

reality is that there are more women that are not the average size. They are wearing size 14 and over. Ms. Canton says that “Size doesn’t dictate beauty. I’ve met thousands of beautiful women and worked with hundreds to help them look radiant on their wedding day– and none of them were a size 6.” The book is wonderful! It has so many ideas and ways to make your wedding day the perfect day. Everything from finding the best dress for your body shape to what type of photographer you should look for. This is a book you should have if you are planning your Cinderella wedding day!

Are you planning a wedding ?

Would you like to own this book and have your wedding featured in our magazine? To enter our contest send us your story of how you and your fu-ture mate met, fell in love and what kind of wedding you are en-visioning.

Deadline for all submissions is July 30, 2009.

Send all emails to weddingcontest@sensational-diva.com .

(Contest is open to anyone in the US. Age 18 and over. )

6

We are looking for models of all shapes, sizes and col-

ors!! If you are interested in being a model please submit an

email with a photo and a short bio to amber-smith@sensational-diva.com

or maxinetthomas@yahoo.com If you are interested in being a contributing writer, please submit a writing sample of 500 words or less to amber-smith@sensational-diva.com.

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

* Gutter was a story that needed to be told. Gangsta was my baby, but I was young and raw with it. I didn't really understand my gift back then. I wanted to write Gangsta over, but I knew I couldn't so I'd just have to life with the thought of "What if?" Then I had a dream one night about the story and Gutter. So I decided to write a joint from his perspective, the perspective of a killer. It took me three years to perfect it, but the shit is on hit.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What as-pects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone?

*For the most part my characters aren't necessarily based on my experiences, unless you count Blow and the Hood Rat series. My characters are more so different aspects of my personality. They represent me at different points of my life. Lou-Loc was me battling depression and wanting more out of life, K-Dawg was me against the world. Rio was me aimlessly trying to reacclimate to a society that didn't want me, and so on and so on. I'd say the aspects that are their's alone would be the sadistic killer sides. I got a quick temper but I ain't no serial killer...LOL

3. What themes exist in your book that you hope the reader sees?

*I want readers to see the bull shit that comes with the game. The common thing amongst all my characters are that they are dealing with heavy conflicts. The game is ugly and lonely, no good comes to these characters from the way they're living and none of my books have happy endings. That's the dark side of the game and these little hoppers need to understand that before they're so quick to jump in.

Interview by Mary L. Wilson “Queen of the Ink Pen”

The long awaited novel Gutter is on the shelves. Kwan has done it again with the urban gritty street tales of the hood . You will not be disap-pointed. So sit back and enjoyed this awesome interview with the KING!

7 26

Southern Barbeque Chicken

1/2 cup of Ketchup 1/2 cup of Barbeque sauce (use any kind you want) 1 tbsp. brown sugar 1tbsp. Honey 2tsp. Pepper 3 tsp allspice 1 tbsp. mustard

Chicken parts: 5 wings, 5 legs 3 thighs, 2 breasts

Directions

1. Boil chicken first for 20 minutes 2. Preheat oven on 350 degrees for 10 minutes 3. Mix above ingredients and stir. 4. When chicken is done put pieces on a backing pan. The sauce is put into a saucepan to get heated for 5 minutes on stove top. Pour half the sauce on the chicken and put into oven for 25 minutes. Take out, then turn chicken pieces over and add more sauce. Use all sauce after this point. Put chicken back into the oven for 25 minutes and when it is done take out, put on serving dish. Serves well with rice and corn. Serves 4-6 people.

THE UN-COMFORT ZONE with Robert Wilson

The Most Powerful Motivator I was abruptly awakened and told, “The house is on fire. Go outside!” As I ran out of my bedroom and into the hall my socks slipped on the polished oak floor. A guiding hand helped me keep my footing and a frantic voice urged, “Hurry! Hurry!” As I got to the door I looked over my shoulder and saw

flames leaping out of the heating grate on the floor. The door was thrown open and I was shoved outside into the carport. “Go stand in the driveway and wait for me. And, DO NOT come back inside. Do you hear me? DO NOT come back inside the house!” The door shut and I began to cry. I stood and stared at the seafoam green door with the frosted jalousie windows. I waited and waited, but I did not go stand in the driveway. I could-n’t move. I began to shiver as the cold concrete floor seeped through my socks, and the winter air penetrated my pajamas. It seemed to take forever, and with each passing minute, I cried harder. I could taste the salt of tears flowing down my face and into my mouth. Finally the door reopened and my mother announced, “The fire is out.” Relief flooded my body as I ran into her arms and she held me tight. I was two years old and the mental im-ages of that day are as clear as if it happened yesterday. It is perhaps my oldest memory. As an advertising and marketing consultant, I know there are many things that motivate us. During my presentations I frequently conduct straw polls, where I ask my audiences what motivates them. The first answers are usually about desires, but eventually someone remembers the most powerful motivator of all. FEAR. Fear is a primal instinct that served us as cave dwellers and today. It keeps us alive, be-cause if we survive a bad experience, we never forget how to avoid it in the future. Our most vivid memories are born in Fear. Adrenaline etches them into our brains. Continued on page 10

8 25

A New Magazine for Big and Tall Men

Nothing makes us more uncomfortable than fear. And, we have so many: fear of pain, dis-ease, injury, failure, not being accepted, missing an opportunity, and being scammed to name a few. Fear invokes the flight or fight syndrome; and our first reaction is always to flee back to our comfort zone. If we don’t know the way back, we are likely to follow whoever shows us a path. Marketers use fear as a motivator as often as they can. They present a scenario they hope will invoke our sense of fear. Then they show us a solution – a path back to our comfort zone – that

entails using their product or service. Fear is used to sell virtually everything: cars, tires, and life insurance are classics. But, clever marketers also use it to sell breakfast cereal and de-odorant. As a result we purchase all sorts of things that a generation ago were considered un-necessary: antibacterial soap, alarm systems, vitamins... the list goes on and on. WARNING: Fear can be too powerful to use as a motivator because it can also para-lyze - the classic deer in the headlights syndrome. Would you like to use fear to motivate your employees to perform better? “If you don’t sell more widgets - you’re FIRED!” It can work, but there are rules you must follow for it to be successful. To use fear successfully as a motivator, a solution must be offered with it. A new path to follow. You can tell an employee he or she must sell more, but unless you show them how, fear will cause flight or worse: pa-ralysis. Fear is a powerful motivator, but it is a negative one. I prefer to motivate someone by eliminating doubt. Doubt destroys motivation. If you can help a person get rid of it, you will motivate them positively. I will elaborate on this next time. Robert Evans Wilson, Jr. is a motivational speaker and humorist. He works with companies that want to be more competitive and with people who want to think like innovators. For more information on Robert's pro-grams please visit www.jumpstartyourmeeting.com.

10

Adele is 2008’s breakthrough new talent. Adele was already a singer at the age of 19 in the UK, but had not made a name for herself in the US until her performance on the Saturday Night Live show. She sang “Chasing Pavements” and “Cold Shoulder” and that performance was what made her become one of 2008’s breakthrough singing sensations. This is a must have album! Here singing style is described as “Heartbroken Soul”. She has won 2 Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the sin-gle “Chasing Pavements”

Adele 19 is a soulful and heart felt album and it is a must have!!! LOTUSFLOW3R– PRINCE This may be one of the best albums in a long time from Prince! “LotusFlow3r” is a 3 disc cd that will truly make your head bob. It starts out with a Jazzy/Bluesy feel from Prince protégé Bria Valente! This album called “Elixr” has some awesome tracks. “Here Eye Come” and “Kept Woman” are joints that you will defi-nitely love! On the CD titled “Lotusflow3r” a cover of "Crimson and Clo-

ver" will bring Jimi Hendrix to mind. "4EVER", "Colonized Mind" and "Wall of Berlin" also are wonderful songs. The al-bum contains 3 songs previously known by fans. "Feel Good, Feel Better, Feel Wonderful" was posted on Prince's NPGMC website as a 1 minute demo back in 2006, "U're Gonna C Me" is a remake of a track from Prince's 2002 album One Nite Alone and "Kept Woman" is a track from Prince's unreleased 2006 project with Tamar Davis called "Milk and Honey".

Bottom line, these are MUST HAVE CD’s !!! 22

12

Extreme dieting

By KATHRYN HEIDECKER, Correspondent. Throw out your New Year’s resolutions to diet! Woodstock-based author Rivka Tadjer (pictured on left), recently debuted her first novel, "Two Weeks Under," published by The Conversation Group. And though the feminist tome addresses issues of

body and weight obsession, it is Tadjer’s personal journey in writing the novel — with a first draft penned in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Albany Medical Center — that makes her want to encourage women to banish their scales. The question — “If you could go under a completely safe, affordable, two-week vanity coma to lose weight, would you do it? Would you spring for a nose job while you’re under, since you don’t have to be awake for the two weeks you’d wear a bandage?" — is the premise of the novel. In the novel, 35-year-old ad executive Elana Diamond goes into a medically induced vanity coma to lose weight. If that sounds more like next week’s People magazine headline than a sci-ence-fiction novel, you're right. A journalist for more than 20 years, Tadjer poured her reporter's experience into exploring the issues of privacy, security and identity into crafting "Two Weeks Under." "It could absolutely happen," said Tadjer of her imagined world of willing weight-loss coma patients. Then, with a laugh, she added, "And I want a cut of the profits when it does." Tadjer has written for newspapers such as The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times Op Ed page, as well as many business papers and magazines. Her journal-ism career blossomed along with an alarming trend: Women whose bodies were disappearing as their careers skyrocketed. She blames it on Helen Hunt in the second season of the NBC sitcom "Mad About You," when the once healthy-looking actress emerged as a gaunt skeleton after the show experienced commercial success. Or, as Tadjer puts it, "If 40-year-old women are sup-posed to look like they are in their 20s, then what the hell is a 20 year old supposed to look like?"

EIGHT REASONS YOU SHOULD DROP YOUR BOYFRIEND

IMMEDIATELY

By Durk Dugan

Mr. L. Rx and Mr. P. L. Ayer are successful pick up artists who give advice to men about picking up women.

But now these “gurus for men” have decided to start helping the “fairer” sex by giving advice to women about men. On their popular website, Dating-

ToRelating.com, women can learn what men do to trick women, and how to bust a player who is lying and cheating on them.

Besides information on how men lie and cheat, Mr. L. Rx tells women what to watch out for and avoid in their selec-tion of men. Here are Mr. L. Rx’s eight “No Brainers” for women from his website:

1) If a man ever hits you or slaps you or even threatens you in a rough way - leave him immediately.

2) If a man tries to move into YOUR apartment because he doesn’t have a job or a place to stay - drop him immedi-ately. Men are supposed to be the providers. Don’t ever support a man. It may seem cool for a while but in the long run you will regret it.

3) If a man plays with you like you are one of his buddies - drop him instantly. If he can’t make the distinction be-tween men and women, he is a real idiot.

4) If a man doesn’t have any men friends or his men friends are a bunch of jerks - drop him immediately. There is a reason men (or good men) don’t like him.

5) If a guy is jealous or possessive for no reason - drop him now! When people are jealous or paranoid for no reason at all, they are projecting their own moral code on you. They are saying, “If I were in that situation I would be cheat-ing on her, so I know she is cheating on me.” Want to know if I guy would ever cheat on you? This is your biggest clue.

6) If a guy wants a committed relationship after one date - run for the hills!!! This guy is nuts! And even if he is not acting like it now, you’ll find out the hard way sooner or later if you continue with him.

7) If a guy walks up to you on the street and tells you how hot you are – well just mosey on away… then run for the hills!

8) And of course, if he is married or in a relationship, drop him the minute you find out. This is the biggest “no brainer” of all. If he cheats on her, he will cheat on you. Don’t buy into his sad story of how bad she treats him and what a great guy he is. He is a liar and a cheat. Don’t find out the hard way. Just drop him.

For more information on men, women, and relationships visit DatingToRelating.com. 21

Continued on Page 18

EIGHT REASONS YOU SHOULD DROP YOUR BOYFRIEND IMMEDIATELY

#80031786

• 3 Bedrooms ·1.5 Bathrooms

·Sunroom ·

• Finished Basement ·

• Bonus Room

• Updated Kitchen ·

• Updated Bathrooms

• Fenced Yard

• Home Warranty

Call

Tameka Her-

rion for a private

showing or questions! This

seller is motivated so make

The Olive Bistro 8141 Olive Blvd

Open 7 days a week 11am-1am Mon-Sat 11am-Midnight Sun

“The Best Drinks in U-City”

Monday-Martini Mondays and Karaoke Tuesday– Tequila Tuesday and Skeet Rogers Wednesday– Whiskey Wednesday and Peaches Jazz Message Thursday-Sunday - FUN! FUN! FUN!

To book your party at the Olive Bistro call 314-569-4050

“ Home of the $3.00 shooters”

Pool Tables Dart Boards

Wi-Fi Access

Tracy Brown-Proprietor

Bistro Happy Hour Come early, stay late!!!

Time Longnecks Wells 4-5pm 1.75 2.00 5-6pm 2.00 2.25

2824 W. 127th St Blue Island, Il. 708~489~CALM

www. Completetranquilityinfo.com

Dear Valued Client

As of July 1st 2008 CTSS is proud to introduce a new program called the

“Preferred 45 Plan”

Due to the rising cost in our economy we understand

Your hair care budget hasn’t been easy to maintain. With the lovely “Preferred 45 Plan” you can continue to enjoy the true essence of

Complete Tranquility Salon & Spa weekly. HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?

1. You pay $45.00 Per week 2. You must be serviced EVERY week 3. You can not have more than 3 missed appointments 4. This applies to just yourself not your referrals 5. It includes Shampoo & Style of choice, Perm, Relaxer, Rinse, or Cut ONLY 6. Specialty services will be priced separate

“One of the reasons I wrote ("Two Weeks Under") is women — we are so hard on our-selves," Tadjer said. When celebrities like Mary Kate Olsen look more like a 9-year-old boy than a 21-year-woman, she added, there is a problem. An investigative reporter who began hand-delivering breaking news stories to her subur-ban Washington, D.C., neighborhood on a bike as a 9 year old, Tadjer didn't let the hos-pital setting slow her down. Between breast feeding Matilda and reading her articles from The New York Times, she pestered her doctors for her research on how to medi-cally induce a coma, a key plot aspect of the novel. She credits her resilient nature to DNA. "When my father was 17, he escaped from Communist Bulgaria through the Turkish underground after my capitalist grandmother was thrown in jail," Tadjer writes in her blog. "My mother was throwing hand grenades in the Israeli army when she was 18. "These aren't genes for the fainthearted." It's a strength she hopes to pass onto Matilda, now 7 and completely healthy. In the meantime, she said she hopes to break the cycle of negative body image and weight ob-session in as many women — and families — as possible. “Read my book and you will not make dieting one of your New Year’s resolutions," Tadjer said. As an adjunct professor of journalism at the State University of New York at New Paltz, Tadjer is working to shape a new generation of journalists, while also continuing to write novels. To find out more about the author’s opinion on the best comfort snack foods, or why she thinks Bill Gates should be ambassador to China, check out her blog at www.rivkatadjer.com.

Imagine this scene: millions of people are drawn to the national

jazz legends that perform at the Detroit Jazz Festival. Their works of art are enjoyed by people from all walks of life. At the festival, the environment is carefree and friendly; people act as though the strangers they just met have been their friends for life. Today, a group of strangers (Bobby Sullivan, Lisa Rogers, John and Mary Smith, William Bennett, and Maria Torres) are listening to a tribute to Charlie Parker. A discussion surrounding his life and death en-sued. A person stated: “his dreams killed him.” Everyone agrees his dream to become a top paid musician may have killed him. Another stated: “Dreams are hogwash.” Another says: “I don’t believe in dreams.” Someone else said: “Dreams are for babies, grown folks don’t dream; we deal with reality.” However, a guy named, Bobby Sullivan, wearing a NASCAR T-shirt, blue

jeans and running shoes interjected: “My dream has been to be a race car driver and have my own pit crew. I have been racing as a semiprofessional. I can’t wait to retire to race as a professional driver.” Everyone looked dumbfounded as Bobby spoke. Slowly, one by one they began to admit they each have a secret, deeply buried dream. Lisa Rogers vehemently stated: “I hate my job, what I really love is computers but the schedule is so struc-tured. I would love to work for a contract agency and get some flexibility but the benefits aren’t so great”. Maria Torres sadly states: “I miss my husband. Her husband died a year ago. They both wanted to sell their house and buy a ranch out West. She has not had the energy to even think about it but she now admits a horse ranch would be a perfect memorial for him. John and Mary Smith listen intently when John blurts: “I want to be a beach bum and wear T-shirts/shorts all day.” Mary looks blankly at John. He responds by stating: “I want to live on a houseboat and travel around the world.” His wife states: “We can’t live on our boat, it is too small!” John exclaims: “Let’s buy a bigger boat!” William Bennett slowly admits he hates his high profile corporate executive job. He would much rather vol-unteer his time and energy to a children’s charity that desires to fight poverty. He wonders out loud to the group if he should retire. Someone states: “If you can afford to retire, then retire.” This group of strangers experienced an intense connection as they admitted they all had dreams. Does this scene sound familiar? Sure it does. If we have not had these conversations with others we have had them with ourselves. The only way to truly get out of your financial funk is to admit you have unfulfilled dreams. The behaviors, the obsessions, the addictions and t he trappings of our suc-cess come from living a life not true to our dreams . (excerpt from Breakin’ Out of Your Financial Funk! authored by Ida Byrd-Hill) Breakin’ Out Of Your Financial Funk can be purchas ed at amazon.com, and on her website www.upliftinc.org.

Continued from page 12

In 2001, Tadjer gave birth to her first and only child Matilda, who was born prematurely and weighed just 2 pounds. At Al-bany Medical Center, as she gazed at Matilda inside a tem-perature-controlled pod “looking like something between a very delicate alien and a tiny baby" Tadjer said she wished “we could have one big pod we share with our babies." As sleep deprivation increased, Tadjer brainstormed about the pod idea, recalling a conversation she had as a teenager with her mother about Elizabeth Taylor wanting to go into a coma to lose weight. All around her in the hospital, mothers with infants whose very survival was uncertain were discussing how to get the baby weight off. "Here we all are, grown women with life

experience, traumatized by births gone wrong, and all we can obsess about is being fat," Tadjer writes in her author’s blog at www.rivkatadjer.com. Her sense of outrage deepened as her new maternal instincts took over. Tadjer said she felt strongly that she didn't want Matilda, whom the novel is dedicated to, to grow up with the body issues that are nearly universal to American women. "We live in a big country and we are very alienated," said Tadjer — questioning how our culture has become so deeply entrenched in a quest for so-called visual perfection — and "how much we rely on these bubbles we live in." She began spending 15 hours a day sitting next to preemie Matilda and writing the first draft of "Two Weeks Under." “Traumatic things happen and you see where people escape to," Tadjer said. “When we feel un-connected, we start judging ourselves and feeling a lot of things — like alienation and shame." Exacerbated by a society where “you have to be a human being with a brand name to get any-where," Tadjer said she believes our “YouTube perfect culture" cultivates an unhealthy and un-realistic image of what women should look like.

15 18

Every month we will feature a plus size woman that exemplifies beauty and style. She will be our Wild, Out-rageous woman (WOW) of the month. If you or someone you know would like to be featured, send a pic-ture with a short bio to amber-smith@sensational-diva.com. If chosen, you will receive a profes-sional photo shoot and will be in the next Sensational Diva Calendar!

16 17