Amel Larrieux LIVE at the Howard Theatre, Sunday, October 20th

If you're in the DC area this Sunday, October 20th, grab your girls, grab your man - grab someone and head on over to The Howard Theatre to see Amel Larrieux live! 

Doors will be opening at 6:00 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. show and you know that The Bobby Pen will be front and center taking in all of that good music. Don’t just read about it after the event, be there and participate in the conversation right along with us!

Don't let this be you! 

With lyrics like, "Got me afraid of the rapture stirring inside of me.. Got me afraid of what I'm gonna do if I get you to see.." from her hit single "Afraid", this is guaranteed to end your weekend on a high note. 

Tickets bought in advance are $35 and are $40 at the door. There is also an awesome opportunity for an album release meet and greet after the show. For more information on the meet and greet, log on to thehowardtheatre.com

Join The Bobby Pen as we support great talent and fantastic music. Get ready to sway back and forth and lose yourself in the lyrics. We guarantee a great time!

Take a listen to Amel Larrieux’s 2013 hit single “Afraid” and hear for yourself why you should be right there with us on October 20th. 

Follow us on Twitter @thebobbypen 
Follow Amel Larrieux on Twitter @amellaurrieux

Why Your 20's Aren't All That

If you're still not in your 20's or are fresh into them.. take this as a disclaimer to exit this page immediately. You're in for a rude awakening. 

I'm no expert, but I'll tell you what I am: A 20-something-year-old, single, young woman with two degrees, tons of student loan debt, who still lives at home with her parents. 

I'll tell you what, when I was growing up, I had this bright future mapped out for my 20-something-year-old self. I would go to college, once I graduated I'd be living in my own apartment on River Road in Edgewater (because with TWO degrees I should be able to afford it), I'd be driving a Lexus and would be building my future with an equally ambitious and accomplished man.

Being in your 20's is an adjustment phase. I thought it was something that only my generation goes through, but unfortunately it's the reality of life. Almost everyone who I speak to that is over 30 says their 20's were stressful and probably the toughest years of their life. 

Here are a few reasons why your 20's kind of suck:

1. You can't rent a car until you're 25

2. Most hotels won't let you rent a room until you're 21

3. Car insurance is expensive as hell 

4. You're too old to be sneaking around

5. You're too young to be sneaking around

6. Your sex life.. that's all I'll say about that

7. People around you start having babies and getting married which can make you question your own life... often

8.  After college you find yourself sharing a room with your siblings, living out of bags and storage bins, or sleeping on a twin sized bed

9. You want to go out but you can't because most of your friends have kids 

10. You're still uncomfortable telling or hearing sex jokes in front of older relatives

11. You're always being questioned about why your job has nothing to do with your degree

12. You realize that your life is BORING 

I'm sure there are several other things that I need to prepare myself for as I continue to go deeper into my 20's... but on the bright side.. they don't last forever!

What are some other difficulties you faced or are facing in your 20's? Please feel free to share below!!

-Follow me on Twitter @TrulyMsP

A Real Eye Opener..

"I'm fat"

Two words that can mean so much. In a society where beauty is defined by looks, most of us women who don't look like what we see on TV find ourselves constantly repeating those two words. Growing up a busty, over developed, curvy Latina was never easy. At just twelve years old, and one year after hitting puberty, my mother took me to a nutritionist before my weight spiraled out of control. I managed to lose 14lbs the summer before 8th grade, and in high school maintained a decent weight. My breasts though.. that's a completely different story. It wasn't until college, of course, that my weight began to go up. It seemed like every time I went to the doctor the scale kept going up. I remember with every few pounds I gained, I'd set a limit. "I won't gain more than 5 pounds." And that was pretty much the story for the next five years. 

When I graduated college two years ago, I was 60lbs more than I was upon entering college. Unfortunately, the industry I chose to be in is one that is mostly about looks. I'm a pretty girl, but at the end of the day I do not fit the bill. This is something that I am reminded of very often. If I want to get noticed I need to lose a few pounds. I have a nice shape and I know how to present myself well. I don't think I'm "sloppy" with my weight. In reality, not many people around me notice the weight gain. I do. 

So when VH1 started to promote their new show The Gossip Game I was excited. I was excited because this show was going to be following women in the industry I hope to one day be a part of. I was looking forward to watching their individual stories to see how they have become successful. To my surprise, the first thing I noticed was that most of these women looked like me! It wasn't until then that I realized how we are surrounded by images of women who many of us out here can not physically relate to. 

The women of The Gossip Game --
Kim is in the center

It was refreshing to see that there are women out there who are successful and are beautiful without being gym freaks, models, or petite. Joseline Hernandez from Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta was recently interviewed by K.Foxx who is one of the women on The Gossip Game. Joseline made the following statement, "They all sloppy," in reference to The Gossip Game's  cast, except for K.Foxx." And just nasty. Get they @ass in the gym." When I think of the women of this show, in terms of appearance, the last thing that comes to my mind is "sloppy." So I was pretty offended, especially because I was able to see myself in these women. Does that make me sloppy too?

Last night during my radio show, I had the privilege of interviewing Kim Osorio from The Gossip Game, who is one of the women who looks like me. I brought up Joseline's comment, and Kim was open to discussing it. "Sloppy can be defined by the way you look, the way you speak, or the way you act on TV." Kim also explained how real women come in different sizes and the show is a reflection of that. "We're all a work in progress. Just to be able to have a spot on TV looking like a real person is a statement for us, and we should support that rather than be so critical of that statement." She also expressed how women should be applauded instead of being knocked down. I do believe that we should continue to bring more light to this subject since it is a reality and so relevant to women everywhere. I am very thankful to have had that conversation with Kim who provided a little bit more insight, especially being a woman in the crazy media world. Funny enough, just a few minutes talking to her was able to give me a little bit of a self esteem boost. 

As women we must all learn to support one another instead of knocking each other down. 

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

- Click on the link below to watch the interview with Kim & let me know what your definition of beauty is

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/brownsugarradio

Until next time! 

Follow me on Twitter: @TrulyMsP

Set the World on Fire! -- Alicia Keys at MSG

It's that time againnnn!! Time when I tell you all about my most recent encounter with my BFF Alicia Keys. Needless to say that I ordered my ticket within the first few days of it going on sale a few months ago. This time, I decided to see her perform at good ol' Madison Square Garden. I usually stay right here in Jersey, but it is a new day am I right? Anyway, the past few months have been extremely busy leading me to put my excitement for this upcoming concert on the back burner. 

It only took for me to walk into MSG and see the DJ at the entrance who was blasting all of Alicia's hits. I was exciteddddd!! If you're wondering, yes, I went by myself. Don't act surprised. There's a reason why I go to certain things alone. Anyway, the place was packed! I had floor seats, so I made my way to the bottom and waited for the show to start. As I looked up at the "nosebleed" section, all I could think was "damnnn homie!" It was a long way up! I always do that though.. no offense if you were sitting up there.. #iseeyouboo

Though the ticket clearly stated the show would begin "promptly at 7:30", I thought that was a hoax. Oh, but it wasn't. At 7:29, the lights dimmed and the show began. Impressive. Miguel opened up the show in his bright red suit, bless his little heart. He sang snippets of all our favorite songs of his.. Lotus Flower Bomb, Sure Thing, All I Want Is You.. but I was just tapping my foot waiting to do my *adorn 2 step* live and in living color. It was a very colorful performance, and he definitely delivered. 

I decided to take notes during this part of the show, because there was too much going on and I knew that I'd forget certain things. The people around me just kept looking at me take notes, probably wondering, "who is this girl?" Especially since I was sitting alone. I wanted to whisper in my Britney Spears voice, "It's Sasha B*tch." But I didn't. 

At this point in time, some annoying girls sat next to me, cup in hand, smelling like pure rum. Awesome. Something Miguel said that stood out to me most, during the interlude of one of his songs, "Some of the greatest songs were written in moments of vulnerability." True life, Miguel. *2 snaps* Every time he did sing something, these girls next to me kept yelling "I love this song!" Annoying, much? But what was funny was the old couple to the other side of me googling Miguel and reading up on his Wikipedia page. He also sang his latest ballad, "Do You Like Drugs", which reminds me of Mandeecees proposal on Love & Hip Hop. He added a twist to the song with a Jamaican beat and the light effects were on point. 

Finally, when "Adorn" came on, the crowd went wild. We were all standing up. *2 steppers unite!* He got off stage and walked around the audience as he sang. This was the end of his set, to which he let us know, "Alicia has the most supportive and passionate fans I've met so far." I think he's right. 

And now, the moment we've all been waiting for.... 

Photo from Madison Square Garden Twitter

I have never in my life felt that much energy when a person enters the room. All I kept thinking was that I wonder how it must feel to get so much love, especially being in your home town. Alicia is blessed. I will say that 90% of the concert everyone was on their feet. I don't know exactly what touch it is people say she lost, because I think she is at her best right now. She gave us all of our favorite classics, and included some of her new music from the latest album. 

When she sang "You Don't Know My Name", she showed the audience her funny side during the "conversation" with the guy she was calling. "You know the one with the braids?.. Well, actually, I cut my hair.. you like it?" This song led into "Tears Always Win", probably my favorite song from her new album. I almost fainted. This was legit. I was able to capture 30 seconds worth of it, and I think you get the idea.. it was awesome!

From "A Woman's Worth" all the way to "101", the crowd was on their feet singing along. I was up with no care in the world. I was singing, swishing my hips, raising my arms, stomping to the beat. She was on a roll. During her ballads, everyone would sit down and still sing along. Her voice was always raw and heartfelt. We ask, and she always delivers. When she got to "Fallin", even the old couple next to me sang along.

She took a few moments to tell us how much she loves Spring in the city, and told us one of her favorite songs was.. *cue the music...* DMX & Swizzy came out to "Up in Here." We were going IN!! *jumps up & down* "meet me outside, meet me outside!" That was a cool surprise. An even better surprise was when she came back on stage and kissed her hubby. Adorbz! 

She sang "Limitedless" & combined it with a little "Murder She Wrote." Now, I will say, if you've never seen Alicia dance reggae, you're losing. Those hips don't lie. So, behind the silk screen was a red light, and a silhouette of Alicia as she gave us a little sexy to start up "Fire We Make." I promise I tried to capture it, but my phone froze. And who came to accompany her on stage this time?.. None other than Maxwell himself, to sing his part of the song. That man. That voice. Whoo! Then, I heard the beat to "Unbreakable" and I was back up! She then followed with "Brand New Me" and again, the crowd went wild. She ended this part of the show with my all time favorite "No One." It was time to dedicate a song to a fan, and it went to someone named Sasha. My heart dropped for a second until I realized it wasn't me.. but either way, hearing her say my name still made it very personal.

We thought she was done, but you know Alicia likes to surprise us. She returned with "New Day" and "Girl on Fire." Killed it. Finally, Jay-Z was on the screen with the beginning of "Empire State of Mind" and Alicia came out to finish it up. It was amazing. Everything about the show was on point. It was just awesome, no bias. She did a fantastic job integrating all of her music. I am one happy fan. It's times like this that I am reminded why I love her so much. I left and bought myself some chicken and rice, and am back in Jersey contemplating life. I had several moments where I was in deep thought during some of her songs. She wouldn't be my favorite if she didn't give me something to think about. 

To this I say, until next time, Alicia. I'll be seeing you again soon. 

-- Follow me on Twitter @TrulyMsP