I'm sitting backstage at the Arie Crown in Chicago. I finish here on Saturday night after 6 sold-out shows! Two on Saturday, then I leave here at 11pm to fly to L.A. After a few hours of plane sleep..LOL...I have to be up pretty early on Sunday for a long, fun, exciting day! And this is why; I don't know if you know this or not, but I'm presenting at the Oscars! So strange, I became an Academy member last year and, this year, I'm asked to present. How cool is that?! Catch it this Sunday night if you can. 6 Nominations for PRECIOUS - I'm so happy for them.

I'm also thankful for the NAACP Image Awards. PRECIOUS won several awards, as well as "House of Payne." I received the Chairman's Award. It was a great moment for me. I was pretty much on the same travel schedule, BUT it was great.

In all that I do, it is important to me to inspire and encourage, and that is what I tried to do with my speech. Not sure if you saw it or not, but I'm sure someone has put it on YouTube by now...LOL. I'd love for you to see it, and if you do, I hope that my words inspire you.

I'll try and check in next week but Monday I go right back to the show.

Well, talk soon.

TP