R.I.P Leslie "Lyricaltone"

My adopted policy on adding new friends: If I know you from real life or another site (i.e. Livejournal), you are more than welcome to add me without a message. If I don't know you and you'd like to add me, that might be fine also-as long as we have SOMETHING IN COMMON. Please SEND ME A MESSAGE FIRST BEFORE SENDING A FRIENDS REQUEST...this is not a popularity contest to me. Unless I can blatantly see what we have in common, I will deny requests from strangers without a message. It isn't personal...but I only want people who really want to be friends or that we have something obvious in common to network about on my list. Spammers, please keep it moving...those that continue to harass me will be reported.
I'm a retired spoken word artist. You can check my website for examples of my work:
LYRICALTONE'S POETRY
I am the divorced mother of 3 biological children. Their ages are 23, 16, and 8. I am also the proud but still sexy grandmother of 1! I have many other "children", since I am a very nuturing, motherly person, although I have that "big kid" side to me as well. My advice works pretty well for others, since I have a lot of living behind me!
I make my living in Corporate America working for a large, well known insurance company. Eh-at least it pays most of the bills-though it definitely does NOT feed my soul and spirit.
I am 42, and I say it loudly and say it proudly. I do look, feel and act much younger.
My Passions:
~Journaling (I've been on livejournal about 4 years now.)
~Poetry
~Long walks for physical and emotional health. I prefer to walk in a scenic area where I can absorb nature.
~Road trips
~Dining out
~Music-old skool, jazz, gospel, r & b, hiphop, and rap. I do branch out from these genres at times as well...rock, classical, etc...I played the violin for 10 years, and self-taught on piano, and I can stay on key when I sing. I also have been known to write a song from time to time, though poetry is really my thing.
~My friends-REAL FRIENDS- that keep it real. Quality over quantity for sure. There are too many fake, snarky, bitter and backstabbing people in this world!
~My family. I ADORE my children and my grandson!
~Realistic Positivity. The "Pollyanna" approach if taken too far can be sickening! It is good to vent sometimes, but get it out and move on. I try my best not to dwell in the negative.
~Am I single? YES. Do I have the patience to wade through the bullshit anymore? NO.
~On "baggage": Everyone has some sort of baggage! My concern is... do you carry your baggage? Or does your baggage carry you? Or is it so heavy that you simply drag it around?
What about your issues? Yes, you know that you have some! It isn't whether or not you HAVE issues, but how do you handle them? Do you control your issues? Or do your issues have control over you? Do you have a lifetime subscription to Insanity magazine? Just sayin'...
Always remember, ladies and gentlemen...one can do badly by themselves! Bring the positive realness...or keep it moving...and that goes for friendships AND relationships.
I suppose that's all for now! I look forward to getting to know you.
~Lyrical