My two-cents worth and then some. An online journal by LP Brown.

Posts Written By L Parker Brown

A Tribute to Nick Ashford

by on ·General

Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson were one of those inseparable show business couples like Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. By all evidence, the Ashford and Simpson relationship was the prototype of one of their biggest hits and my favorite tune – Solid as a Rock.

Like many of their followers, I was fortunate to have seen the talented duo a few times during their heyday and in recent years. The last time was in October 2002 and they still had it going on. They were that rare team of old school performers who gave you your money’s worth and more. They never performed a song that I didn’t like. You’re All I need; I would Know You Anywhere; Send It; and another of my favorites, Is It Still Good to Ya?

The couple met at a New York City church during the mid-sixties, wrote numerous hit tunes for Motown greats like Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross, and it became evident to their fans, way back then, that Ashford and Simpson were not only a hot songwriting-production team, but their on-stage chemistry proved that they were soul mates; a fact driven home by their 38 year marriage.  

In addition to their sensational songwriting career, the dynamic duo owned a New York City restaurant.

Nick Ashford died of throat cancer on Monday night. He leaves behind his lovely wife, Valerie, and their two daughters, Nicole and Asia.

Your greatest fans will miss you deeply, Nick. Rest in peace.

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Kardashian – Give It a Rest!

by on ·Opinion

Kim Kardashian is a beautiful woman. She was an even more beautiful bride. Word is that she had three wedding dresses and walked down the aisle in Vera Wang. Reportedly, the wedding cost over $10 million dollars and will be broadcast in October on a four hour TV special.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 13.9 million persons (9.1 percent) unemployed in the U.S. People are continuously losing their homes, their jobs and their minds. It is quite evident that the financial crisis in our downward spiraling economy is fueling murder/suicides; as newly unemployed breadwinners kill their families and themselves.

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, there are approximately 671,859 homeless people in the U.S. and a huge number of those are veterans.

Seventeen million children in the U.S. go to bed hungry every night.

Long story short. Call me a partypooper. Call me envious. Call me what you want, but tell me is there anyone out there besides me who is sick of hearing about the Kardashians when there are more important matters to be concerned about?

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The Personal Touch

by on ·Opinion

Like the loss of civility, the personal touch seems to have vanished from our society. Once upon a time conscientious mothers’ – mine included – taught their children that it was not only common practice to send a thank you note for a gift received, but it was downright rude not to do so. How times have changed.

Over the years I, as well as many of my friends have compared notes and learned that we have sent birthday gifts, wedding gifts, graduation gifts, and even sympathy cards containing cash to various friends and relatives, and we received nothing in return. Not a thank you note, nor a phone call; and as impersonal as it is — even an emailed “thank you” would have sufficed. An act of consideration deserves to be acknowledged.

We all have busy lives, but we make the time to do what we really want to do. As far as I am concerned, sending an email recognizing an important occasion in someone’s life or extending thanks for a card or gift that was sent to you is a kind gesture, but it is not quite as nice as taking the time to purchase and mail something tangible, especially if you are reciprocating for the receipt of an item that you received.

As Judith Newman wrote, “In a world where thoughtfulness is increasingly rare, any acknowledgement of gratitude is a very good thing.” To that I add — but there is nothing like reaching out and touching someone with the real thing.

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A Wake-Up Call for Boomer Grandchildren

by on ·General

Play now. Pay later. Take stock of your future — think retirement.

Don’t wait until you are middle-age to think about your old age. I know it is easy for you children of Generation Xers to think that you are a zillion years away from social security. Social security or retirement savings are phrases that you’ve probably heard tossed around by your parents and grandparents. But if you are a forward-thinking youth and have been paying attention to the reports about social security, then you know that it is a shallow well – expected to run dry by 2036 – and may not be there when your time comes to drink from it.

Grandchilden of Bill Gates, the Kardashians, or Russell Simmons may have no worries about their retirement years. Chances are they could be enjoying a super rich lifestyle long after receiving the invitation from AARP. Even if their wealthy predecessors have deceased and unless they did something horrible enough to get disinherited collecting social security won’t be on their bucket list.

This message is not intended for the youth who by fortune, fame or birthright need not worry about spending their golden years doing anything less than being kicked back in a luxury home or sitting by the pool in a Palm Springs retirement community. But if you are one of the millions of upcoming disadvantaged youths now of legal working age, living in a paycheck-to-paycheck family or maybe even living independently, but are still in a tedious situation, you need to prepare now to avoid struggling later to keep afloat in the sea of geriatric destitution.

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