Dearly Beloved........The Prince I knew...................

Hello folks!

I hope you've been well since my last entry. Time is a tricky thing. Saying you'll get to it in a sec can turn into days,weeks or even months LOL. Enjoying my last day home got me reminiscing about the adventures Desmond and I have been on since we last chatted (we'll get back to that) and about where I was a year ago when I heard that Prince had transitioned. I'm also reminded of the detour we took in November to Minnesota to visit Paisley Park!

Rewind:

Growing up I had 2 celebrity boyfriends Michael Jackson and Prince!! (Don't laugh at me what we had was real LOL). I grew up during a time when music and dance were true. Prince was provocative,sexy and BEYOND talented. I'd never seen or heard anyone like him! His music and style was timeless. I think I liked him most for his mystery. A few of my favorite songs were The Ladder, Little Red Corvette, Pink Cashmere and of course Purple Rain!  I'm rarely saddened by the passing of a celebrity but again Prince WAS my childhood boyfriend and it was his music I grew up on so his death made me pause.....

A few months after his passing I read that Paisley Park would be opened for tours. I IMMEDIATELY researched further and put this tour on Des's and I  "Must Visit List".  For me it wasn't about viewing the place Prince died but visiting the place he lived and recorded many of his greatest hits. 

Desmond and I FREEZING in front of Paisley Park!

Play:

Desmond and I took the G/A tour it explored his office, various recording studios where we saw actual songs hand written by Prince in the very place he left them and different themed rooms that housed the special made guitars, the actual motorcycle from Purple Rain and outfits ONLY Prince could pull off! Going through each room was like a walk down memory lane. I said so many times while I was there "I remember this tape, CD, or video when he wore that". Walking through some of the hallways you see all types of pictures of Prince some I was familiar with but a lot I had never seen before. On one wall there's a mural with his hands out on one side it's all the people he was influenced by and the other side is of all of those who have played with him....... That was breathtaking! The last leg of our tour took us to the stage he had setup where he'd rehearse for tours and host private concerts (yes it was that big) here we saw the last piano purchased by him earlier this year and a few "toy cars". The finale was a viewing of the super bowl performance and various dedications that were left outside of  Paisley Park after his passing....... WOW. When the tour was done you're able to get some light bites like pancakes (which was a favorite of his) and of course pick up some really cool memorabilia.

Tambourine & Tee

Prince on vinyl....PRICELESS!

Like I said the tour was bittersweet AND amazing. It's sad that such a great and talented soul has left us. There was so much more music for him to WOW us with. On the flip side, it was AMAZING to see not only how one of my favorite artist lived but how what was in him oozed out in his music and throughout his estate. If there's one trip you're thinking of taking in 2017 consider Minnesota. The tour is expanding and you don't want to miss it!

A year after his death his music still touches me. His music is addictive you can't hear Purple Rain and NOT sing along while playing your "air guitar". Prince's footprint on the music industry can never be duplicated or erased. Continue to rest Prince!
                                  

A few tips about the tour:

1. Purchase tickets early they sell out fast!  There are 2 types of tours General Admission (about $40) and VIP Admission ($100)

2. You can't take pictures. I fact your cell phones are locked away until the tour is complete (in case you get trigger happy and want to snap pics)

Post election advice: STEP BACK,REGROUP & PROCEED!

Greetings All!

Thanks so much for the well wishes in my previous entry. I know it's been a minute since we last chit chatted but I'm back to share. Turning that page in the final chapter of my 30's has been interesting to say the least...........During my absence we've traveled to one of my favorite places (Virginia/DC, back home, South Carolina and currently Wisconsin.....

Desmond and I in front of the Whitehouse

In the few weeks I've been incognito I have time to reflect on where I am in my life. (I tend to do that the older I get too lol). One of my mantras while producing Bougie Magazine was step back, regroup and proceed. Outside of business I find this mantra to come in handy in my everyday. Going to Virginia I was EXCITED to revisit one of the first places I visited as a teenager that showed me there was so much more to see (I'm originally from Texas).  It was my first time seeing snow but more importantly it was when my interest in politics and how our government works awoke in me. Going to D.C. during one of the most sensationalized presidential races was the icing on the cake. Leaving there reminded me that being an American is more than living here. For me it means being aware of my community, getting to know my local congressman and making my voice heard.  Although going to vote was already on my to do list during my break I felt an urgency to go sooner than later. The visit also prompted me to do more research on the propositions and the local candidates. My research helped me go to the poll with confidence!

My first time voting in Georgia!

Fast forward to election day: I'm sure I was like most glued to the television to the wee hours of the morning awaiting results. Shocked at the outcome I went to bed...............Over the past few weeks I've heard people happy and I've heard people so devastated they'd lost weight and hadn't slept as a results of the outcome. WOW! I feel for the people who put that much stock in election results. It's not that I am better than them (far far from it LOL) I just know trust and believe that with whomever is in office I still will wake up as Angela Harris, wife and mother. I still have to do what is needed to survive and I still believe that everything happens for a reason. So I leave you with advice to live each day as you did BEFORE the election results. Step back, regroup from the shock and/or dismay and lastly proceed. LIVE!

My name is Angela Harris and I approve this message!

The misconception of traveling with your spouse.....

Since we last chatted we've traveled to the beautiful state of Ohio! As I mentioned in my previous post my husband is a not your average photographer.  Peachtree Portraits the amazing company we work for based out of Atlanta sends us all over the nation to shoot a product called the Legacy Album. Desmond is the photographer he shoots the content and I assist him as a portrait consultant.  The legacy album is a historical documentation of fire departments, police/sheriff's departments and department of corrections throughout the United States. Peachtree Portraits is not only a company that takes pictures they're also a publishing company! Each book created is registered with the Library of Congress so they're official historical documents.

Legacy Albums

Traveling state to state there's one constant question/statement we are asked: How do you guys do it? My wife and/or husband and I would kill each other! LOL the seriousness on each persons face always makes me laugh. While I don't think these people hate their spouse or would kill them, they clearly know this adventure is not for them! Our answer to this question is simple: We LOVE what we do and understand the importance of it, we respect each other as individuals first and we know the importance of our personal space. Out of every person who's ever inquired on how we make it work, one person took it a step further and asked how to merge those things together to REALLY make it work. I thought it was pretty straight forward (our response) but it made me really think and I am glad he challenged me to really dissect my answer:
  
We LOVE what we do and understand the importance of it: Being in Florida one week wearing short sleeves and in Ohio the next wearing a sweater keeps the adrenaline flowing! I personally love to travel, you get to experience different cultures, food, and meeting new people. Prior to coming on the road I knew Desmond works as a photographer but it wasn't until I came aboard that I truly understood the importance of establishing and documenting your legacy. I admire the creativity he brings to each shoot.

Captured in South Bend, Illinois

I watch him make the most hesitant persons picture taking experience quick, painless, and pleasant. By the time the person comes to view their pictures with me their whole attitude has changed and you can see it. That makes what we do all worth while.


We respect each other as individuals first: Yes we're married but we're individuals first. When we go to a department we keep it professional. At work my husband is Desmond and I am Ms. Angela (not hot lips or sweetheart lol). If we're not so warm and fuzzy with each other it's left at the door. We have an obligation to fill and that takes precedence. Outside of that, we encourage each other. There are days that are not so good Desmond always finds a way to encourage me not just because I am his wife but because I am his coworker we're a team. It's important to understand that in order for US to work we have to show respect and encourage each other.

 The card attached reads:"To my wife/Co-worker: I love you! Keep doing what you're doing. Great Job!

Personal Space: Being that we're together all the time people may think this is tricky but it's not. Everyone's marriage is different for us we actually like each other! We share the common goal of making a difference and completing the task before us and having a strong belief in God also helps us. When we're riding we may go miles without speaking and during the times we go home we go our own ways,reset but ultimately there's no other place we'd rather be than with each other. (A few years ago I wouldn't have believed I would say that lol)

Again I'm glad the guy challenged me to expound more on the most asked question of "How do you guys do it"? It gave me a greater appreciation for my relationship, the importance of continuing to strive to make it better and for the path we've been placed on! Do you travel with your spouse I'd love to hear from you!  Until next time!



Stay Bougie,
Angela

Interested in learning more about Peachtree Portaits and the services they provide? Visit them at www.peachtreeportraits.com