Mo'Nique Book Signing at Harlem NYC's Hue-Man Bookstore

Today was a relatively easy day for me. Of late I have been spending my days with my Stepdad (who is in the mid stages of Alzheimer's disease) and today was no different. I usually wait for my Mom to arrive and then head home but tonight I headed down to the Hue-Man Bookstore in Harlem where Mo'Nique was signing copies of her new book "Skinny Cooks Can't Be Trusted". Although I initially heard about the signing thru an email sent by the bookstore....I hadn't heard a word about it in the media. As a result the turnout was very nice and calm (not the usual frenzy she causes when her fans know she's in town).

The signing was from 6pm to 8pm and I quietly snuck in at around 6:30pm and positioned myself behind a bookshelf to watch Mo' as she made her entrance. The bookstore was comfortably packed and Mo'Nique, dressed in a beautiful beige off the shoulder sweater and jeans. It's always a pleasure to watch Mo'Nique around her fans...she carries herself so regally and walks with such grace that folks are in awe of her....they love her to death.

She entered through a side door and was surrounded by security & her "team" consisting of Rita Hamlin (her hairstylist), Writer Sherri McGee, Make up Artist DeDe along with KS & Bam (her personal security). Mo' took her seat at the front table and made some brief comments before the book signing began. I sat in the back of the house with the always beautiful Tiffany Jones (MFC Season 2/Top Five Finalist) and we quietly got caught up on each other's lives.

It was a very small and cozy setting and not nearly as crowded as I expected it to be (Mo had done a very large signing earlier that day in downtown Manhattan), so it was quite intimate. In the midst of the signing...she (Mo') stopped the signing and had us form a "sister Circle" around a young woman who was having a very hard time. The young lady was about 14 years old and at that stage where she thinks she knows everything and will listen to NO ONE. Well everyone stopped what they were doing to try and help that child find her way.....It was an amazing thing to watch. The thing that I love the most about her is that she sat there and signed each and every book, photo, piece of paper....whatever her fans wanted...she gave it to them. I observed her speaking to folks families on their cell phones!!! She didn't leave until each and every person got to meet and chat with her....hell! The bookstore was actually cutting off their lights to get folks to leave...lol.

Around 9pm or so, I walked the crew out to their tour bus and hung out with them for a moment....Rita ran out and got fish sandwiches and everyone chilled and ate till it was time to go back to their hotel. I said my goodbyes and walked the 4 blocks to my apartment.

Oh yeah! Did I mention that I got some EXCELLENT news from Mo' while I was at the book signing??? We're headed to Paris, France for this year's show!!!! She gave me some more really good news....but I'm gonna hold on to that until later!

Smootches Ya'll!!

When your character changes and you grow up and set a standard, so will your words and you will be influential and become a magnet. (magnate)