SMOKIE SAYS

LeBron proposes to Savannah!

2012-01-01T13:05:00.001-06:00

Great! I have nothing negative to say, but so many women are saying, "About time" and all that negative jazz. My take on it is that they are young and she could have waited FAR longer and had FAR more children and married a man FAR more inferior (like so many women do...IF they get married at all). So until YOU leave an NBA player because he hasn't yet proposed to YOU, you can't comment on Savannah, Boo.

Congrats to the happy couple!

It's 2012!!

2011-12-31T21:04:00.002-06:00

My 2011 Recap

2011-12-28T00:10:00.001-06:00

Instead of recapping what celebs and public figures did in 2011, I think I'll recap what I did in 2011...because you don't KNOW me. :-)

If I had to grade it, I'd say 2011 was a B, maybe a B-, year.

The greatest achievement of 2011? FINALLY finishing the first draft of a self help book that I've been working on for the past 4 years. I just wrapped it up and I am flying hiiiigh. Do you know how great it feels to start a project, research a project, work your heart out on a project, and FINISH a project? Words can't describe that feeling of accomplishment. I found my passion and worked hard and happily at it. If you don't have a passion, PLEASE get one ASAP because it will make all the difference in the world.

The second greatest achievement, or blessing, in 2011 is that I stopped smoking ... everything. God did this for me. I prayed and prayed and PRAYED and He made me allergic to smoke. This was an area that I'd tried to conquer for years...many years. And finally, one day He just stepped in and said, "Enough." And it was done. I can't give my will power credit for this blessing. I have to give my Higher Power all of the credit. Amen and Yes Lawd!

The third greatest achievement was staying on my job despite wanting to walk out after being told I couldn't work from home and living through a complete office renovation, which boils down to having to work in an open office environment. I'd never worked in such an environment and it's counterproductive, if anything, but, I'm used to it now and I'm hanging in there until I can work for myself. 2012 will be the year.

Now, for the bad.

I love my son with all of my heart; God knows how much I love this near 16 year old but he is a handful - hence, the fact that I gave birth one time and one time only. He's active (not hyper active), headstrong, loves rap, doesn't want his hair cut (he makes sure he gets an edge up though, thank God!,) and he's been in 3 schools this year alone. No, he doesn't get in fights, but he has a hard time following instructions and loves to do whatever he wants to do in school. He couldn't focus at Lamar so I had to transfer him to a hood school. I HAD to transfer him because he got kicked out. Well, he's doing fine at the hood school and I'm convinced it's because the big black male teachers don't play that. So, while this year started out horribly, it leveled off a few months ago and his grades are good and he doesn't pass up his classes for hanging out in the halls. They don't play that at Worthing.

Another disappointment in 2011 was my lack of time spent in an actual church. I attended church no more than 7 times this year and I'm probably exaggerating. I read my bible, listen to gospel music, and watch TV pastors, but I haven't been tithing as I should and I haven't been in a church house as I should be. I am changing that in 2012. I must.

Lastly, I've gained about 20 pounds. Some days I could pass for a pregnant woman. I caught myself rubbing my stomach the other day in the grocery store, not even much caring if someone thought I was pregnant. I'm sure they did and I just ran with it. If they would have asked when the baby is due, I probably would have thrown out a date 3 months away. I will work on this weight thing in 2012 because a whole new wardrobe is NOT an option.

Other than that, this year has been pretty good. I'm almost 40 and on track. I've been playing catch up for the past 5 years (got married, got a raise, bought a home and new cars, and finished my book). I am nowhere NEAR the person I was on my 34th birthday. Whew!

2012 is going to be a BEAST.

How was your 2011?

Blogs and Such

2011-12-27T13:30:00.000-06:00

Christmas is over and I'm glad. I enjoyed spending time with my extended family, but I'm pretty introverted and there's only so much togetherness I can take. Give me a book, a PC, the television, my husband, the kids up stairs out of the way and happy -- and space to write in peace -- and I'm GOOD.

So, I'm at work and the office is about 20% full. Perfect! This is the absolute perfect time to be at work. I don't mind the quiet because there's always a flurry of activity going on inside this brain of mine. I'll go on vacation next week when the kids are back in school and everyone's back on the road. Am I weird for that? If so, whaaaaaaaaaaaaaatever! :-)

I've been surfing the internet a lot lately, and I just wanted to share what I've been reading. Blogs, articles, sites, etc.

Food Gawker - I love this foodie website. So many pics and recipes.

Major Must Haves - This woman simply has it going ON. This is a fashion website where I just look at the pictures and get tips and advice on where to find outfits and how to dress. I'm not a shopper, so I need all of the help I can get!

Nami - Mental Illnesses - I'm working on the last couple of chapters of the self help book for women: Healthy on all levels. So, I've had to read up on mental health. I think it's pretty interesting.

Dreams of Life - This is a documentary about a 41 year old woman who dies and no one notices...for nearly 3 years. I've read so many comments such as: "oh this could be me!", but unless you're an old recluse, this SHOULDN'T be you. Live life. Have close relationships with people. Period.

99 Crazy Moments of 2011 - I like looking at the year in review.

50 Best Websites of 2011

Time Magazine - I just LOVE Time mag. The pictures, the lists, the articles. Great mag!

Life Magazine - See above.

Washington Post - "Being a Black Man" - I mean, since I'm not one, I thoroughly enjoyed this.

Top Documentary Films - Watch free documentaries online.

Crime Library - If you love stories of crime, this is the spot to be.

Foot Binding - UGH!!! - I'll never look at "Lotus Flower Bomb" the same again.

Is Beyonce Really Pregnant?

2011-12-10T01:02:00.006-06:00

With a heavy heart, I have to say NO. I feel like a traitor to one of THE prettiest and most amazing performers in the world. But, Beyonce has me giving her the side eye with this pregnancy fiasco. When she “announced” her pregnancy at the VMAs in August I was sooo happy for her. Not as excited as Kanye West for sure, but still, when she rubbed that bump on stage I felt like, “Yeah! She did that!”

And then, I saw this picture and a little alarm went off.

Her stomach just didn’t look like there was a baby inside of it. She just looked very full...of Popeyes. I know a pushed out stomach when I see one.

Her stomach didn’t have that roundness that it had in this picture, taken on the red carpet of the VMAs just a few days before the bikini picture:

My mother initially thought that Beyonce probably was pregnant, but wore padding to make her stomach appear bigger or maybe she even had some kind of protective device over her stomach. Ok….

Since then, I started observing her bump like a hawk. I saw all of the pictures of her out and about (never going to or coming from a doctor’s office, mind you) and sometimes her bump wasn't visible at all. I know that clothes can sometimes make a pregnant stomach appear smaller than it is and I tried to give Jay-Z’s wife the benefit of the doubt. Then BOOM. She had the “Sunday Night” interview in Australia and her stomach literally sunk, deflated, collapsed. Oh baby!

But, I'm getting ahead of myself.

Timeline of Beyonce’s Pregnancy

Recently, Beyonce presented a behind the scenes video of “Countdown” (see further down) and in it she said that it was September 23^rd and she was 6 months pregnant. This date is what my timeline is based on.

April 2011 = 1 month pregnant

Ok, no one shows at 1 month, but are they able to do all that Beyonce was able to do in her first trimester?

She hit up Disney Land…and rode the roller coaster.

She did a grueling photo shoot in Paris.

May 2011 = 2 months pregnant

She performed “Girls (Rule the World) for Oprah’s farewell show.

She went to the Met Ball with Jay-Z

She performed on “American Idol”.

June 2011 = 3 months pregnant

She performed in France on June 20^th.

Here she is on June 27^th on “Piers Morgan”. She hadn't told the public about her pregnancy yet, but she hinted.

She did a photoshoot for “W” magazine.

She gave a concert in Gastenbury!

She performed on the “X Factor”.

July 2011 = 4 months pregnant

She performed on "Good Morning America". She wore clothes to hide her bump, but why? There’s nothing to see here folks!

She performed at the Oxegen Festival in Ireland. Covering up again…for no reason.

Here she is performing at T in the Park in Scotland.

(Keep in mind Mama Tina did say Beyonce had morning sickness in her 1^st trimester and I’m not showing ALL that she did in her first trimester. Your girl was busy promoting "4".)

She performed on “Jimmy Fallon” (it was taped and showed a few months later).

She also performed on “The View”.

She did a spread for "Complex" magazine.

August = 5 months pregnant.

Remember those 4 nights at Roseland? August 14, 16, 18 and 19

Yes, I know she wore a dress with a flap on it and she didn't dance as much as she normally dances in concert, but that flap meant nothing, zero, nada and she DID dance her butt off on a few songs.

FINALLY, she showed us that she’s pregnant at the VMAs.

A few days before, however, she filmed the “Party” video.

Washboard.

September 23 = 6 months

Then, she did this behind the scenes video in some closed room with Julius probably dutifully holding the camera (because Jay-Z has been keeping his distance). She said it was filmed on September 23^rd at 6 months pregnant. “You can’t tell I’m pregnant from the front, but oh when I turn to the side!”

Well, here she is from the side in the "Countdown" video, shot in September. Where is that stomach, girlfriend? I know you aren't wearing a girdle and possibly giving your baby brain damage? Can a girdle even MUCH squash a baby to that degree?

Beyonce's "Countdown" video – The Original, not the Altered, version

Here she is at the House of Dereon Fashion Show. That flash of skin looks an awful lot like whatever she wore under her clothing during the screening of the Roseland DVD with the Associated Press (more on that further down).

Now, here she is at the Torey Burch store opening in September. How does a 6 month pregnant woman wear this? And check her out in the mirror “from the side”. Huh? No hell.

October = 7 months

Now, here’s the big OOPS! Her stomach literally collapses on the set of “Sunday Night”. There’s no getting around this.

You can find the link to the interview anywhere on the web. It's EVERYWHERE.

Never one to shy away from controversy, she stepped out in a tight blue dress the very next day. Bump in full effect. What is that band around the top of the stomach though?

A few days later, that round stomach is barely there.

November= 8 months

So now her stomach is huge.

She danced at a Jay-Z concert.

She displayed a very awkward looking bump with Nicki Minaj at a Victoria Secret show in early November. For some reason, her face is super swollen in this picture and she's looking like Jay-Z. Her face is never seen like this again. (Too many fat injections?)

Here’s another instance of her deflating baby bump, during the “Live at Roseland” screening. She's talking to the Associated Press and some “super fans”. There are a few things that don’t look quite right during this screening. #1, she’s wearing a black bra, right? Well, what is that beige looking contraption that slips up just as she gets comfortable? Not only does the beige thing show, but her bump deflates at the same time.

Notice that the video below stops at 2:41…right before the beige thing becomes visible and her bump deflates. The good folks at the Associated Press clipped this video short so that Beyonce could save face. Boy, wouldn’t you like to see the rest of that video…! But thankfully, we do have the photographs that show what happened after the 2:41 mark.

Also, why is she wearing that long, long dress and why is all of that gold junk covering the stomach? WHAT IS UNDER THAT DRESS, BEYONCE GISELLE KNOWLES-CARTER? LOL She just HAD to come out of the house to promote that DVD.

Now, she’s shown in full bloom, poolside with Jay-Z and the fam. Why is she wearing so many clothes at the pool? And what is that thing that’s supposed to be a stomach? What is that darkness on the BUMP?

December = 9 months

It’s December now and the charade is almost up. I know she can’t wait until the surrogate delivers that baby so she can finally stop wearing that dreadful bump.

Here’s the "20/20" interview with Katie Couric. In this video I noticed #1, Beyonce races down the stairs to greet Katie, #2, she moves Katie’s hand to a safe spot on her stomach TWICE. It was so noticeable that Katie actually asks Beyonce is it OK for her to touch her stomach. She replies “of course”, but she STILL moves Katie’s hand to a safe spot. #3, Beyonce plops down in the swivel chair in her office AND leans forward when she talks about “the baby”. That girl better stop forgetting that she's wearing a stomach! I'm thinking she must never wear it at home.

And doggone it, her stomach isn’t nearly as full in this interview as it was in the blue pool ensemble. Her face isn’t nearly as swollen as it was in the picture with Nicki Minaj, either.

Girl, come on. Let’s keep it real.

Eddie Long Gives Us The Business...

2010-09-30T21:35:00.006-05:00

...not quite -- but I know a Queen when I see one.

Check it. Eddie puts hands on his hip and almost comes out @ 1:26. The hand on the hip is just too juicy for me. Then, right after that, as if the news editor totally agrees with me, a flaming member of his church comments about how giving the Bishop is.

no.soap.opera.can.write.this.storyline!

What we have here ladies and gentleman is some messy punk ish combined with pedophilia and deep hatred for ones own sexuality. But, keep in mind, the basis of this is PUNK ISH.

Follow me if you can: Eddie Long - who I will shall not call a Bishop - is, if not a pedophile, a gay man who pastors a huge congreation in ATL. I've noticed that many of his parishoners are gay too. That's not a bad thing, but it is a gay pastor's playground.

Eddie Long has not denied any allegations. Eddie Long is still wearing a jherri curl toupee with much pride. Eddie Long is still rocking the muscle shirt and vest and he almost gave us two snaps and a "thank you very much". You don't understand what is happening before you!

How far is Eddie willing to go? He already asked the congreagation to, basically, ride with him; in the clip he says that "God can handle Eddie Long". Well, ok - God can, but in the meantime -- who wants a DL pastor who marches against homosexuality before church and bangs little Jamal in the pastors study after? And what about all of the double talk he's giving the church members? Really? This is the expectation for a pastor? If the allegations are true, this "bishop" needs to jump down from his super high horse and get it together. He shouldn't have time to lead a flock of people to wherever he's trying to lead them.

If no one takes a stand, and if everyone keeps drinking that filthy kool-aid he's passing around, I will bet that Eddie Long is going to be the first OUT mega preacher. That anyone of sound mind would accept his leadership, at this point, is very sad. One must read the bible for him/herself and know exactly what they should expect and demand from a pastor. Not everyone is called for a reason. And even the called ones are sometimes re-called.

If I were blogging for comments, I'd Plaxico Burress my hand! - Random thought.

Seal (with Heidi Klum) - Secret

2010-09-30T20:47:00.010-05:00

So what do you think about Seal's new video with his wife? Too risque?

The Good:
Seal is probably an excellent lover
The song is beautiful
Heidi has natural breasts
Visually captivating

The Bad:
Too intimate
Seal's nails
Seal's unattractive

Seal and Heidi love to display their affection in public, and with this latest offering they tip right over the line. But I'm glad. Even though the soft porn tends to make my stomach churn, I can't help loving it. Secrets is a tenderly strong song, and I'm definitely feeling it.

I once dated an extremely unattractive man. I'm talking Biz Markie-is-cute ugly. But he had a fantastic personality and made me laugh. Of course, he turned out to be trifling and didn't worship the ground I walked on so we didn't last too long. Our situation was nothing like Seal's and Heidi's.

Still, that ugly dude captured my heart and my mind for a while — but he never quite stopped being ugly. Sure, I'd look deeply into his eyes with love and affection, but if I dared gaze beyond his dirty brown pupils to that face, the mood was KILT. You know how your heart jumps when you see your handsome man walking up? Well, I never got that jump. My heart would beat once we started laughing and talking, but it didn't flutter upon sight. I wonder... if he had been as thoughtful and successful as Seal... would I have grown to love his scars and life wounds?

Now, consider that Heidi is belived to be one of the most beautiful women in the world... and she's a SUPER model... whose loaded ...with her own money. She's practically a goddess in the eyes of many men. And she's with Seal? We can be certain that love's sweet fragrance is in the air, but I wonder if Heidi ever thinks in the back of her mind, as I did with my ex, "You shooooole is uuugly."...?

Just a thought. Love is beautiful no matter how you look; I sound shallow, blah blah blah.

Eddie Long Can't Make Me Lose My Faith!

2010-09-25T00:38:00.002-05:00

Let me start by saying WHOA.

Whoa!
Whoa!!
Whoa!!!

I’ve been reading and hearing everyone’s comments about the Eddie Long situation and I’m going to address the ones that interest me the most.

If the accusations are true, how will it affect the Black Church?

#1: The accusations look mighty true. #2: Shouldn’t we be asking, “How will it affect Black Christians?” If a man can make a Christian waver in his faith to the point that he loses his faith, I think that man didn’t have enough faith to begin with. Unless I see Jesus, himself, sending inappropriate spandex snapshots to the kiddies - I’m good; my belief is intact. Yes, I pass judgment on the Bishop, but I know that this is his struggle, and ultimately, it’s between him, God, and the boys he ruined. I hope his parishioners will pray for themselves and continue to believe. I hope they will understand that man let them down; God’s commandments remain standing and people still follow them all around the world.

Maybe God's allowing this to happen because He wants to blow the lid off corruption in the Black Church. Maybe He's fed up with how the Black Church hides and ignores abuse and downright evil. The Black Church might want to stop worshiping the pastor and pray for DISCERNMENT regarding the pastor. God should be your Father and your Leader. Know HIM.

But it can’t be true. He’s married!

Girl, bye.

Why do women think that married men can't possibly cheat on their wives with other men? In 2010? When the DL man is a huge problem within the Black community? It’s almost as if women don’t even know men and they can’t tell a potential punk from a bonefide hetero male. I need women to pay more attention.

If all of this is true, those boys were the age of consent. They knew what they were doing! They just want some money!

Stop being so ignorant.

It’s alleged that the teens (possibly 30 boys?) were “groomed” by the Bishop since the age of 14 or 15. He picked the most vulnerable boys of the lot – just like predators do. When a kid is such an impressionable age, and when he places trust in a much needed father figure, anything is possible. Have some compassion. This man turned those boys out and manipulated them in the worst way.

I have a question -- Who didn’t suspect this? Eddie frequently wears bedazzled velvet dresses/robes. He unashamedly wears a toupee. 90% of his wardrobe consists of size small muscle shirts. He doesn't come across as annointed AT ALL. His sermons always lead to nowhere. He spent way too much time with teenage boys and too little time with his wife. The signs were there. Who didn’t know this crusty hip hop preacher loved the fellas?

The Complexity of a Woman

2010-07-18T23:26:00.003-05:00

Do you want to know why I can't keep up with this blog? Simply because I'm a living, breathing, doing everything, complex WOMAN.

The load is heavy! The rewards are rich! The time is limited!

I sit here now thinking of all that I should be doing, but am not. In an effort to go easy on myself, every now and then I think of the productive times and keep it moving.

Thank God for a flexible work schedule, but I still put in 40 hours a week, regardless of the actual hours I sit in the brick and mortar building. I work. I think. I analyze. I surf the web, and try to think of things to share on Facebook. I live. I love. I make lists. I lose lists. I chill. I clean. I cook. I read. I chill.

I chill.

In shame, I bow my head and confess that I haven't worked on my book in 2 months. Sure, I record and write notes here and there, but I'm not on it. But hey - I just moved in a new home, it's summertime, and I can only do so much.

Excuses.

And, then, my side business has dried up because I can't devote the proper time to it. DashCo. Editing Services is not dead, just on a sabbatical. But, I thank God tremendously for having a busy mind. I may not be putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), but I think I know what I need to do, and eventually I'll get it all done in between trying to be a healthier, better, even happier, wife and mother...and employee...and entrepreneur. You get it: I's busy!

Here's a shout out to sistas all over who get up everyday and make it happen. Those of us who are also night owls because we don't want to miss anything. Big Ups to the Superwomen we are... Of course, our celebration wouldn't be complete without a little mood music. Let me know which ones I missed in the comments section.

Gloria Gayner - I Will Survive (Live)

Alicia Keys - Superwoman (Live) (no matter what, it's a FAB song!)

Lisa Stansfield - All Woman (Live)

Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans - Count on Me (Live)

Destiny's Child - Independent Woman (Live)

Karyn White - Superwoman

Christina Aguilera ft. Lil Kim - Can't Hold Us Down

Helen Reddy - I Am Woman (y'all don't know nothin' bout Helen!)

Janet Jackson - Control

Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out

Mc Lyte - Lyte as a Rock

Queen Latifah and Monie in the Middle - Ladies First

Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Eve - Who's That Girl

Ne-Yo and Jamie Foxx - She Got Her Own

Love and Hate

2010-07-15T23:37:00.006-05:00

I don’t think I’ve ever done this before. Wow. I’m not a narcissist.

Loves:

Peaceful landscapes
Interesting/weird/different/unique people
Tiger Woods Golf (Wii)
Plain toast
Ice
Bacon
Lasagna
Competition
Strong and respectful women
Wild and crazy women
Tall men
Beautiful smiles
Fit, taught bodies with muscles that don’t bulge
All skin tones. ALL.
One on one conversations
Nas
Beyonce
Honesty
Real hair
Intelligence
Common sense carriers
Words on paper
Solitude
A good party
Money
Soulful, deep ballads
Kindness
Erykah Badu
Yolanda Adams
Tyrese
Gospel music
Looking into my husband's eyes when we're in a crowd
Jesus
My family
Beaches/swimming/the pool
New restaurants/places/things
Paying bills
Traveling
Late night drives
Planning
True murder mysteries
Survivors
Love

Hates:

Talk when there should be silence
Silence when there should be talk
Mayo (yuck, gag, gross!)
Greedy people
Rude people
Lazy people
Superficial people
Cats
Caterpillars
Music that’s overly sexual and tacky (70% of R. Kelly’s stuff)
Naps
How accessible celebrities are now
How influential celebrities are to children and weak adults
Violence, especially against women and children
Being wrong
Lou Rawls
Uncomfortable change
Going to movie theaters or places that aren’t new
Al Jarreau
Public restrooms (ewww!)
Criticism
To eat at other people’s homes if they have pets and don’t keep a spotless home
Racists who aren’t black
The way I procrastinate
Hate

Ode to '80s Hip Hop!

2010-07-15T22:23:00.006-05:00

My good friend Leslie stopped by for Martinis and Spades the other night and cold shocked me speechless ('80s lingo intended). Leslie's only 30, but until LAST NIGHT we seemed to recall the same moments in history. Then suddenly the name KRS-1 came up and in an utter state of confusion she asked, "What's that? A who?"

My sleeping husband jumped up in disbelief. I thought she was kidding. I joked around and mimicked KRS-1: "Who am I? I AM HIP HOP [insert random big words, real and made up]. I thought she'd laugh and confess to knowing The Philosopher.

Nope.

"What about Whodini? Grandmaster Flash?"

Another blank stare. "I think I heard of..." Blank stare.

This is for you, Leslie: A brief look at the '80s hip hop that I listened to (and loved).

Whodini - 5 Minutes of Funk (1984)

This is the first rap song I remember listening to and reeeally liking. I loved Whodini.

Whodini - I'm a Ho (1986)

Oh my God, I would never listen to this around my parents! Loved it.

Kurtis Blow - If I Ruled The World (1985)

Never been a Kurtis Blow fan, but he was one of the very first rappers I remember.

Grandmaster Flash - The Message

Classic HIP HOP.

Fat Boys - Fat Boys (1984)

Funny and fat, yes sir... Look up thier "Human Beat Box" song.

MC Shan - Left Me Lonely (1987)

Love it!!! This is the way to make a rap love song, Plies.

Ms. Melodie - Live on Stage (1984)

Click here to see the video.
Understand, KRS-1's ex-wife SLAAAYED IT!!

UTFO - Roxanne, Roxanne (1985)

Jammin!

Boogie Boys - Fly Girl (1985)

Gold nails!! I had one. *smile*

De La Soul - Me, Myself and I (1989)

Who doesn't remember De La Soul? It's late 80s, but I had to include!

And to the man who sparked this post...

KRS-1 - My Philosphy (1987)

KRS-1 - Criminal Minded

Eric B. and Rakim - I Aint No Joke

Of course, I couldn't leave out the best rap of all time!
Eric B. and Rakim - Paid In Full (1987)

Mashonda Gives First Post Divorce Interview to Vibe

2010-07-14T00:48:00.000-05:00

...and I loved every minute of it. Loved it!!!!

Before reading the interview, I'd written some jive junk criticizing Mashonda for talking about Swizz and Alicia still. But I had to delete all that crap because baaaaaby Mashonda gave the number 2 interview of all time, second only to Whitney's infamous "Crack Is Wack" delight!

I completely understand that Mashonda had to GET A FEW THINGS STRAIGHT AND CLEAR A FEW THINGS UP! I hope Alicia reads and learns.

A few pearls:

I know it was very important for you to sit down with Alicia if she was going to be around your son. Safe to assume that happened?
When I wrote her that Twitter letter everybody wanted to say things like ‘Oh, what do you need to meet her for? It's not her problem, it's Swizz's." I'm like, ‘You have a kid, go through what I went through and then talk to me.’ I'm not having my son around anybody I don't know. I don't give a shit who you are and how much money you have and what management he's going to be under when he visits you. I need to see you and I need you to see how serious I am about him. And that's what happened. We had to sit down, and I told her how I felt. I didn't mention anything else, it was all about my son and it was fine after that. I'm not going sit and talk to [them] about what happened between the three of us. This is about my son.

When did this meeting finally take place?
It took a good year and a half. I think that only happened in March.

How was Alicia’s demeanor?
She just listened.

This all sounds like a really awkward gathering…
It wasn't awkward; I wouldn't have done it if I wasn't ready. I said what I had to say as a mom. It was a whole sit down dinner. So you know how intimate that is. There are certain things we have to do as women in order to move forward. Love does not happen like this. Love doesn’t involve hurt, lies, or destructing anybody else's soul.

Very true, have you received an apology from either one of them yet?
Nope.

Surprising?
No, because I honestly feel like they think they didn't do anything wrong. I don't care about their apology. As long as he’s a great dad to my son and she's a good step-mom, they don't have to worry about apologizing because they will never understand or care about the pain I went through. That was a big thing at first, I felt like nobody was respecting me. He's not respecting me, she's not respecting me. [But] then I had to say, ‘Fuck my ego, because this can't be an ego thing. If it is I'm going to fall down and die.’ People feel that they are so happy and they are so in love, but what really happens is that real love does not come from a foundation when you hurt somebody else. Love does not happen like this. Love doesn’t involve hurt, lies, or destructing anybody else's soul.

If real love isn’t born from infidelity, are you saying it wouldn’t shock you if their soon-to-be marriage ended in divorce?
I don't think about it, it's not my concern. I don't think about them anymore. If there was no little boy involved in this, I would’ve probably moved to another country by now. I've thought about going to live in Europe, but I can't because his dad is here. I don't like confusion, I don't like drama, I don't like none of that stuff. I would have left before the divorce was even final.

Full story here

She'll never be a star (music is yuck), but she definitely has my respect.

The Dream Dips on Christina M.

2010-07-14T00:12:00.002-05:00

Like, really, what the hell? Frolicking on the beach with the hired help? For real?

It's a fact that Christina dumped her boyfriend (Cool? Dre?) for The Dream, but who cares? Karma doesn't necessarily say that dumping a boyfriend = cheating on a wife. I don't care if Christina is fake, a gold digger, or the second coming of Mel Gibson — The Dream and his wack ass CD, Love Tit-tays, didn't have to do the girl like that.

Are they doing this for publicity? Not hardly. These celebrity marriages are built on the flimsiest foundations, and they tear apart everyday. It's a shame, really.

I have a pretty good idea why The Nightmare showed out, too. I'd bet that it's the same reason he dumped Nivea: Christina wasn't hot anymore. Come on ladies, a lot of us have been there: young, hot, and desirable until a man impregnates us and forgets that we were his ultimate come up.

Idiot.

Usher: There Goes My Baby

2010-07-13T17:50:00.001-05:00

I loooove this song. Sexy. Strong. Beautiful. Usher's latest offering just oozes grown up and classy sex appeal. Now this is how you make a song. Video is cool, too.

Tantilizing News from Across the Pond

2010-07-09T15:20:00.004-05:00

I'll bet that you've never even heard of Chris Hune before.

How about Hune and his wife?

Nothing yet?

How about the woman who Hune left his wife for?

Still nothing?

Ok, then, how about Hune's mistress' WIFE?

Yes, that's right. The Energy Secretary in the UK left his wife and 3 kids for the lesbian/bi-sexual/straight (?) woman in the dress (above).

Hune's political career is of little interest to me but I thought it was interesting that he left his wife for what amounts to an unpretty Ellen. My only question is this: Will the mistress, Carina Trimingham (trim? lol) divorce her "wife" too?

I don't think so. There will only be one messy and heartbreaking divorce in this scenario. Miss Trim can just chunk her "wife" the deuce and keep it moving.

Look at Hune, his wife, and his mistress on election day. SMH. I can't help but laugh though.

The whole sordid story here.

More here

In Case You Didn't Know...

2010-07-09T13:41:00.004-05:00

Kelly can't blow.

This is so bad you might have to listen a few times just to get the fullness of the bad.

Lauryn Hill's NPR Interview

2010-06-28T12:23:00.004-05:00

The reputation that surrounds Hill is wild — it's hard to know what to believe, because she does so few interviews. She's got handlers on top of handlers, publicists and managers who you think will lead you to her, and then they turn out to be red herrings. My editor and I chased them all down during the weekend of the Harmony Festival. I was told by various people to not touch her, don't look her in the eye; that instead of talking directly to you, she writes on a Post-It note and sticks it to your chest. I've also been told repeatedly not to call her "Lauryn" anything — she goes by Ms. Hill. This is the only rumor that turns out to be true, in my case. Because after her performance in Santa Rosa, when we ask Ms. Hill if we can ride with her back to the hotel and ask her some questions, she tells us to get in the car.

I ask her the question her fans have been asking each other for years: Why did you stop putting out music?

"There were a number of different reasons," she says. "But partly, the support system that I needed was not necessarily in place. There were things about myself, personal-growth things, that I had to go through in order to feel like it was worth it. In fact, as musicians and artists, it's important we have an environment — and I guess when I say environment, I really mean the [music] industry, that really nurtures these gifts. Oftentimes, the machine can overlook the need to take care of the people who produce the sounds that have a lot to do with the health and well-being of society, or at least some aspect of society. And it's important that people be given the time that they need to go through, to grow, so that the consciousness level of the general public is properly affected. Oftentimes, I think people are forced to make decisions prematurely. And then that sound radiates."
Full Interview Here (audio also)

Come back Lauryn!

The Alicia Keys Situation

2010-06-25T22:39:00.018-05:00

Look at her, smiling extra wide because she took (i.e. stole, lured, seduced, captured, took possession of) Mashonda’s man, Swizz Beatz. Alicia Keys could have had any man she wanted – mine included – but she had to take Mashonda’s high school sweetheart?

Stuff happens.

Still, the wife in me (and the self righteous little woman on my shoulder) thinks that Alica and Swizz are low down dirty dogs for doing this. Despite her humanitarian good deeds, the mother of Swizz’s love child has always seemed pretty fake to me. I’ve appreciated her talent and jammed hard to her music, but I still remember her words after she won her first Grammy. Backstage and fresh off her Grammy sweep, Alicia was replete with arrogance and braggadocio. A few months later, I personally witnessed this same attitude during her performance at the Essence Festival.

Then, all of a sudden she was full of grace, humility, and good works. Maybe she grew. There’s a chance that over the span of nearly a decade, Alicia grew to be a beautifully humble person with good intentions. I doubt Mashonda would agree.

The realist in me wants to call Alicia Keys a home wrecking sluttramp, but the human in me considers that, perhaps, Mashonda and Swizz were separated. Maybe Mashonda lied when she said they were living a life of happiness when the affair started.

Mashonda says she called Alicia many times, but Alicia would never talk to her. Mashonda says she wrote Alicia, but Alicia never replied. Mashonda says a lot that makes Alicia look pretty doggone bad. Maybe Mashonda is just a scorned ex-wife? I do realize that I don’t know the inside story, and unless someone does an in-depth documentary, I never will. I also realize that we are all human and we all screw up. Having said that…

This is what I see:

Alicia dated Krucial Keys/Women/Somebody who wasn’t too serious. Then, she met Swizz Beatz. She met his wife too. She thought, “Hmmm….I might like him…let’s have some fun...” She flirted with Swizz. He flirted with her. To Alicia, Mashonda was just a regular, untalented ride or die girl with a husband who she’d been with forever. Probably didn’t think Mashonda was on his level and she figured, maybe, she’d bring him up to HER level. Maybe he could be her Jay-Z?

Alicia knew he'd just had a baby with Mashonda, but she had a connection with Swizz in and out of the studio and she wanted to see what was up. That he had a wife was of little, if any, consideration. Alicia got on this ship and never jumped off. To hell with a Mashonda.

Before the affair, they probably shared dinners, texts, phone calls, and studio time. And, as Alicia knew he would, Swizz fell on Day 1. Like a ton of bricks falling through paper towels. Satisfied just to share a meal with THE Alicia Keys, he didn’t even make a move on her. She made the first move.

Moment of honesty
Someone's gotta take the lead tonight
Whose it gonna be?
I'm gonna sit right here
And tell you all that comes to me
If you have something to say
You should say it right now

I’m not a racist, really, I’m not. However, I do appreciate the strengths and recognize the weaknesses of the races. Not all stereotypes apply to everyone, but some apply to enough. So, to put it bluntly, I think Alicia used her inner white woman to quickly pull him in. She got him with her confidence, aptitude, beauty, praise, seduction, and azz. She actually put her stud on him...she was that interesting, beautiful, giving, IN CONTROL woman he wanted. You be all THAT and see if you don’t take a man.

In a nano second, Swizz calculated the pros of being with THE Alicia Keys; Mashonda didn’t have a piece of a chance. He chunked his wife the deuce and woke up in Africa with a superstar carrying his third child. And oh yeah, see that dazed and blissful smile on his face?

Watch out Swizz. Alicia is a BEAST and she will eat you alive if ever need be.

I know some readers may think I'm crazy for saying this. I know some think that you can’t TAKE a man from a woman. In a sense, that’s true. But you can also live by the rule that you don’t make time with married men. You can live by a personal moral code of never stepping into someone else’s relationship. It's the quickest way to avoid that Karma.

Great performance though. And she’s never looked better. Poor Mashonda.

Chris Brown Puts His Foot in His Tweet Again

2010-05-19T23:07:00.003-05:00

Basically, Chris Brown went in (insert smirk and eye roll) on Sandra Rose. Um Chris, if you are going to throw out dark skinned jokes that you've even labeled a JOKE, then please, by all means, make the ish funny!

For the record, Sandra talks all kind of crazy about any given person, but I love it most of the time.

Chris, dude, stop tweeting. It's absolutely not working. Nothing's worse than a lame woman beater. And at this point, be assured that the general public does indeed think you're lame now. What are you giving us to LOVE?

It always amazes me that one minute Chris Brown was the boy next door who had the entertainment world in his hands, and the very next minute *POOF!* everything was gone. The hits. The love. The endorsements. The NICENESS. The everything.

Kelis is a Beast

2010-05-19T22:42:00.005-05:00

Kelis,

For real? You took it here?

I used to like you Kelis, honestly. In fact, I loved you the first time I heard "Bossy". What couldn't I identify with in the song? For a minute there, you were IT, girlfriend. You had that sexy husband and your beauty and allure appeared effortless.

No doubt, you came on the scene a different woman than most. "Off beat and beautiful" would probably describe you. I'm not ready to think about your description for 2010.

Recently, you tried to prepare us for something we could not and would never understand (the long grey hair), but nothing could have prepared us for this dog shot. What happened? Have you always been this crazy? The picture makes me think of a woman and dog having I N ter course. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who sees you wrapped up with a dog when I look at this soft beastiality pic.

I want to throw up in your brain.

Take it As Love,
Smokie

No Kissing Allowed

2010-05-06T19:31:00.003-05:00

WOW. I have nothing.

FourFour

Behind the Scenes: Jaheim and Regina King

2010-04-28T20:10:00.002-05:00

Two of my favorite celebs star in Jaheim's upcoming video, "Finding my Way Back". Can't wait to see the video. Regina King's the leading lady and the director. Do it, girl.

Usher - There Goes My Baby LIVE

2010-04-27T14:10:00.002-05:00

Now this is what I'm talking about! Usher sang that song, didn't he?!

Tupac Lives?

2010-04-09T19:12:00.009-05:00

Call me crazy, but every now and then I look up Tupac info. I don't know for a fact that the brotha is dead. He was cremated and his whole death and after death has been somewhat of a mystery to me. So, I keep hope alive.

I ran across this video and I'm pretty sure it's NOT Tupac. But...what if? What if Pac is actually a lot of those Tupac impersonators that we see here and there? What if, sometimes, Tupac actually walks around with a bandanna on his head, like "you know I'm not Pac"...but it really is him? What if dude in the video is him?

Surely the FBI and detectives everywhere would have analyzed all of the Tupac sighting footage out there and been ON it if Pac were really walking around, chilling, being caught on camera and video tape.

Or...what if he's hiding right under our noses?

Really, who is this old dude and who does he think he's fooling?

Mario - Just for You

2010-04-09T19:02:00.001-05:00

Niiiiice.

Music by Singersroom.com | More on Mario

Vivian Green - Beautiful

2010-04-09T14:22:00.001-05:00

This is really a beautiful song...

Music by Singersroom.com | More on Vivian Green

Chris Rock - Crackers

2010-03-31T13:18:00.002-05:00

I just want to know if the Revolution will be televised because it's damn sure coming!

SandraRose

Erykah Badu!!

2010-03-28T12:13:00.003-05:00

Erykah!!!

Symbolism, artistic expression, creativeity yada yada yada...all that can get lost in the crack of that badonkadonk! 3 kids? Go GIRL!!

(Love the song too.)

A Panther in Africa

2010-03-26T18:45:00.005-05:00

I know I'm late, but I JUST realized that YouTube has a section for full length movies. I clicked on "A Panther in Africa" thinking it was an animal film, and discovered an interesting movie about a man from the Black Panther Party who's been living in Africa in exile for 30 years. Anything about another culture, especially the African culture, is of great interest to me. Check it.

The (Fake) Relationship (Fake) Ends

2010-03-24T23:27:00.007-05:00

Eva and Lance broke up. No surprise here. I wish I would have cared a tenth of a fraction about Eva and Lance before today. If I had, I would have written a small post about what I really thought of them. Instead, I never addressed the couple and only chuckled to myself at the idea that they were more than an attractive Dawn and Que.

Separately and together, the two are both visually appealing, but they never seemed like a real couple to me. It never seemed true to me. They appeared like a manufactured relationship brought on by two D list celebs who wanted to become a hot couple in Hollywood.

They were hot - sizzling and crackling aike fire - but, who followed them like that? Their whole relationship was one big photo shoot. As a single or married couple, what could Eva and Lance ever do to get Jay-Z and Bey kind of attention? Or even Kim K. and Reggie B. attention?

So yeah, I knew the wedding would be called off. It's one thing to take a bunch of pictures together and memorize cutesy little anecdotes about each other, but it's a whole 'nother bucket to plan a wedding and have to marry your cute lil gay homeboy. Ok, Lance might not be on the down low, but I still never saw them as a real couple.

Source

She Get It From Her Mama

2010-03-17T21:24:00.004-05:00

So it turns out that Gabby Sidibe’s mom is just as confident as good ole Gabby herself (or "Notorious Precious" if you're Jamie Foxx). Never mind that her daughter was just in an Oscar nominated film, Alice Tan Ridley is still singing in subways for some spare change and loving every minute of it. And now? Now she's jumping into the ring while it's hot as fried chicken grease for the plus sized confident black woman.

Age, race, size, and missing teeth be damned! Alice will be an inspiration to us all as she auditions for America's Got Talent on March 20th.

Oh yeah, you thought there would be only one Hollywood star in the family? Baby boom. I just love that mother and daughter team. I can't wait to see them slim up as the get deeper into Hollywood.

Whitney Houston: Sweaty and High

2010-03-01T11:53:00.003-06:00

I tried to support her, but I can't keep cheering for a crackhead. This is totally unacceptable. I know Whitney hates she ever recorded "I Will Always Love You".

Really, WTF is this?

Jay Speaks on Bey

2010-02-20T17:24:00.004-06:00

Would Jay-Z even be relevant without Beyonce...?

Letoya Luckett - Good to Me

2010-02-12T09:29:00.003-06:00

Loving this song. Her voice is so clear and her look so refreshing. Love the high note near the end. You GO Letoya! (Sorry I slept on your CD.)

Just Wait

2010-02-11T22:40:00.025-06:00

I love Marvin Sapp's I "Never Would Have Made It"* as much as the next dope dealer who dodged a bullet, but my anthem is They That Wait by Fred Hammond and John P. Kee. I identify with that song profoundly. When I first heard it, I realized it summed up my whole life.

Let me tell you, I've passed up a lot of (weak) opportunities because I knew God had something better for me. In some areas of my life, I've definitely practiced delayed gratification -- and for the most part I haven't cared about outside opinions.

I've been the single chick at birthday parties and weddings without a man next to her or even on the phone with her. I've been single while my son's father has had 3 wives. (Don't get it twisted, I was the first one who turned him down. lol)

I waved goodbye to - or just passed up - the ones who'd have me immersed in drama and self doubt. I let the sheets be cold many nights; I knew they'd warm up with the right one one day.

I've worked at jobs that didn't pay as much as I wanted, but I stayed to get a little tenure. I moved on eventually, but I waited for the right time. I never quit a job after I had my son; we haven't had to go without insurance or lights or food because I get up most mornings and drive to work. I've never depended on a man to provide for us.

I worked the structured jobs so that now I am blessed to make my own schedule.

I could have lived with a number of boyfriends (and could have even married a few mis-matched ones too), but I didn't want my son to grow up with that image in his memory (might be other bad images, but not that one. :-)); I didn't grow up seeing it and I'm thankful to my mother for that. It wasn't always easy to pass up invites to shack up, especially when friends were living with their men, but I knew something better was out there.

I could have gotten on Section 8 and moved in a house. I could have even pulled some funds together and bought a regular little home. Then, when I married, we could have been in a hurry to compete with the Joneses, but we wanted a nest egg. We wanted a certain house. Planned. Saved. Waited. Sometimes it was hard.

When you see my joy or when I say, "I'm so glad I didn't this or that", please don't take it as bragging. It's testifying. I sacrificed and went without in every area possible, but I held on because I wanted God's full bounty. I'm glad that God is showing through me that He's true to his word if you fully believe in Him and just do what He says as much as you can. I'm happy for GOD. I'm praying that someone will pause after reading this and change up one thing they are doing to align with what God would advise in that situation. You'd be so much happier and freer if you'd just release it and let Him gently work it out.

Of course, I make stupid decisions and I have my regrets, but the goal is always true happiness and peace. I'm thankful for His mercy when I veer off track, but I pray while I'm off track that he will put me back on the right path. He does. Something tells me that if you try to live with love and wisdom, God will reward you. Life will reward you. Your heart will reward you. I've tried to resist leaning unto my own understanding because I always know that He has a better plan for me. My trust is finally paying off in big ways. But you know what? I don't feel like "it's taken so long". I think I feel more like "it's right on time".

I'm not saying be a holy roller, but read Psalms and Proverbs and learn about people and life situations and how to handle them. Learn about those you should avoid and those you should hold dear. Learn about actions and reactions and better solutions to every day issues.

Understand, God doesn't move at your pace so He might not work it out when nor how you think He should. But just wait. While I wait for Him to do His magic -- because when it all works out in the end you SEE how He worked -- I pray for guidance so that I can make good long term decisions and I fill my life with happiness and truth as much as possible. Sad, mad, and confusing days come, but a steady convo with God brings about understanding and clarity. I know He's going to fill my life with a joy and peace that passeth understanding. All I have to do is my part by staying the course and allowing Him to do His thing. He gives many small rewards on the path to the larger ones. He is the BEST kind of father. (I always make sure to shake things up a little bit though just to keep it hot!)

* On the real, I had to click on the link and listen and he IS the truth! These songs might be a tie!

Checking In

2010-02-11T21:46:00.012-06:00

It's been a long time...I shouldn't have left you...

Thanks for the emails from people who don't even comment. LOL Glad to know I was a liiittle missed.

This world is moving at an accelerated rate, and to be honest I can't keep up. Between work, raising a 14 year old son, my crazy friends, preparing for a new home (!), Facebook, and working on a BEST SELLER that must be finished by July of this year - I'm swamped! But I'm loving it.

I'm going to start posting more often, but for now, I'll leave you with a few things I've learned over the past couple of months:

1 - Women accept way less than they deserve. Self love is crucial!

2 - Amber Rose has boring on lock. Somebody said she's like Queen Latifah's woman in Set It Off: mute and blonde. I totally agree!

3 - I just feel in my spirit that Precious cries herself to sleep most nights.

4 - John Edwards is a low down dirty pimp and that could have been your president!

5 - Ellen is the most likable lesbian EVA. Rosie should take notes.

6 - Nelson Mandela has been out of jail for 20 years.

7 - Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2010 is, perhaps, as addictive as crack. Yeah I come home at lunch to play.

8 - ~~John Mayer is one of the funniest, realest white men ever. I feel you Holly Robinson Peete. He's a total racist, but who cares -- everyone is entitled to feel how they feel.~~ He was totally out of line.

9 - Nikki Manaj would be the ish if she dropped the gimmick and the name.

10 - People can love you and still use you. It's up to YOU to love yourself more and tell them to kick rocks!

11 - Barbara Jordan was the female Barak times 10. Remember her for Black History Month. Read up on her. Learn about all of the laws she passed for the poor and minority. Bring your kids out to see I, Barbara Jordan at the Alley Theatre by Celeste Bedford Walker (Mama :-)) Fast paced and entertaining...you'll love it.

Tiger Woods Can't Be Your Jesus

2009-12-03T22:04:00.018-06:00

And now the big story: Tiger Woods and his 3 women on the side. All young with old faces. All white. All ready to spill the beans. Spilling the beans, in fact.

There are so many angles to cover with this story, but the one that says Tiger deceived us should NOT be one. Tiger may have deceived his wife and his family but he didn’t deceive the public. Tiger never told us he was perfect. In fact, over his decade long career he hasn’t told us anything other than when he married and had his kids. He spoke about his father’s cancer and death also, but that's it. Tiger really only opened up about golf. He wore crisp shirts. He smiled that Colgate smile in advertisements. He worked with the youth. He sent out family Christmas cards. He played near perfect games. But he never ever told us or led us to believe he was perfect. Basically, he just lived his life, did his job, and kept his business to himself. Those who worshipped him and thought could do no moral wrong must have ignored his top pals – Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan. Birds of a feather…

The public craves some human idol who resists temptations, always does the right thing, and looks perfect. The public wants to see that it is possible for a human being to achieve such greatness. Guess what? It aint. Those people who need this kind of idol might need to seek Jesus. Tiger Woods shouldn't have the ability to let us down. Whether it’s cheating, lying, stealing, doping, sneaking, or molesting – everybody’s dealing with something. (It's mind blowing that the (white) public thought this man was perfection. WE knew he had issues when he married the whitest of the white.:-))

Does this mean that Tiger gets a pass? Most definitely not. I could say that his personal life has nothing to do with his professional life, but at this point it does. He just missed a golf tournament and he may miss others due to injury or not wanting to face the journalists who’ll be on their tip toes shouting out questions that have nothing to do with the sport. And if he does show up, his mind might be too pre-occupied to play a good game. Heck, he’s had his worse year so far. Now we may know why. For the simple fact that his b.s. is interfering with his game, Tiger Woods doesn’t get a pass.

I know Tiger’s wife is hurt and fighting mad. Isn’t it ironic that she tried to kill him with a golf club? LOL Oh yeah, I think she tried to kill him. She swang at his face; got his mouth. She tried to finish the job, but a drugged up Tiger jumped in the Escalade and burned out (good thing he's not in Nascar). Mrs. Woods ran down the street after him, busting out both back windows like a G! She had it in her mind to maim or kill her cheating husband. I guess she came to her senses after he wrecked though. Lucky for the both of them because, otherwise, the headlines would have read, “Elin Woods Arrested for Killing Golf Legend!"

What do I think his wife should do? Off the cuff, I say take your money and self-esteem and RUUUUUN girlfriend! What kind of Nordic woman does he take you for?! A 31 month affair?!?! Multiple women?!? And these are just the women who are skanky enough to admit to the affair. What about the discreet women he fooled around with?

BUT, I don’t know the Woods' family life. I don’t know their personal reality. I don’t know if Elin got buck wild because she had no idea he’d ever had an affair or if she was just fed up with the latest affair. I don’t know if he started the affairs after his dad died. Maybe there's some missing void that he’s trying to fill with random women in Las Vegas? I don’t know if his wife is a shrew who doesn’t even like sex or if she’s putting it down. Not that that’s an excuse. I know of a woman who was the freakiest of the freaks for her husband and he still traveled the globe in search of new coochie on a regular basis. Well, that’s an exaggeration. He traveled throughout Texas to meet women in small towns. Still, she couldn’t keep him in Houston, Texas.

Tiger Woods’ story is a familiar one. It happens all day everyday. I can’t imagine how many reporters and friends were on camera condemning Tiger Woods one minute and texting their mistresses the next. Get it together men. Especially the ones who have so much to lose.

Keyshia Cole: Pregnant and Happy...For Now

2009-12-03T21:20:00.011-06:00

1 - Keyshia Cole falls crazy in love (again).
2 - She packs her bags and chunks the deuce to ATL. Cleveland bound. Shuts out family.
3 - She gets pregnant. (or maybe this is #2?)

*we’re at the 4 month mark now*

4 - She passes out turkeys for Thanksgiving with a dazed and bamboozled looking Daniel Gibson. You can see his legal name below on Keyshia’s shoulder. 8X10. Where’s Boobie’s tat? Where is it Boobie???

Keyshia’s looking happier than Chris Brown before it all fell down. Cheesing, rubbing her dip it low stomach, looking like you couldn’t tell her not a damn thang about Boobie. LOL

I’m not mad at Keyshia. She’s 28 and can afford her kid with ease. But I am kind of sad for her. Maybe it’s premature and negative to think this way, but WHOA! Ya boy is 23. Weren’t you on bended knee in front of Jeezy this time last year? Keyshia wants to be married; she’s said it a few times now. Is this the best route to matrimony? A tat, moving to Cleveland, and a baby? All in 8 months? Daaaang, slow down homie. It takes at least 4 seasons to get to know a man.

Prepare for the real talk which some may construe as hate…

First off, I knew Keyshia was somewhere getting pregnant for Boobie. That fertility is in her blood…she couldn’t resist the urge to see what this whole parenting/baby mama thing is about. If it doesn’t work out with Boobie, Keyshia will be on her Neffe little way. She’ll probably love being a parent. And do it again and again (Erykah Badu, Neffe, Frankie). She might be the Tiny to his T.I.P...we might never get another CD from Ms. Cole. Of course, she could go all Anita Baker on us and get married and raise a family. But, nah, I smell a Neffeteria.

Click here to listen to Keyshia and Gucci Mane’s new song “Bad Bad Bad”. God how I wish this was Keyshia’s song with no Gucci.

Smokie's Listening to...

2009-11-18T22:05:00.012-06:00

Beyonce - Video Phone

The actual song is dried up dookie, but the video is so nasty that it’s SICK. I don’t want to like it – really, I hate co-signing all of this oversexualization that is Beyonce/Sasha. But dammit if Mrs. Knowles Carter is not 205% entertaining! The gum smacking, ode to Rihanna, guns, costume changes, booty popping, goofy lyrics, Gaga – ALL of that is heaven for a Beyonce Stan.

Lady Gaga adds extra freshness to the video. I didn’t really like her until this song, but she’s jamming. I applaud her for being fearless next to Beyonce. Do you girl!

Rihanna - Russian Roulette

I struggled with "Russian Roulette" because it’s so dark and seems to advocate suicide, but screw it - I have to ride with Rihanna because this baby goes hard. This is one of those songs that you don’t really know what you’re singing about, but so what? It sounds fantastic. The production is right on point and her voice has never sounded better. I can’t worry about what and who might blow their brains out because of this jam. All I know is I’M feeling it and I’m cool.

Alicia Keys - Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart

Finally, a new Alicia Keys song that’s not a lullaby anthem. This one kinda sneaks up on you because it’s mid tempo. Before you know it, you’re grooving and thinking, “…this whispering really works!” I could have rocked the hell out of this song back in my bad relationship days. It’s such a sad/sweet song full of emotion and classic rhythm. The homewrecker just redeemed herself. I’m not even going to judge her for walking like that in those heels either.

Z-Ro – Thank You

What can I say? I’m Houston all day. Lol

Kelis Brings the Baby Out

2009-11-12T18:30:00.002-06:00

Knight is sooo cute! Kelis and Nas know they need to work it out!

More pictures here.

Bushwick Bill Does Gospel

2009-11-11T13:07:00.004-06:00

I actually like it.

The Testimony of Redemption album is scheduled to be released Dec. 1 under G-S.P.O.T. Productionz (God's Special Purpose of Talent).

G-spot eh?... Interesting.

NEXT!

2009-11-10T23:35:00.016-06:00

All of my dating life I carried around a little word in my head. That word was NEXT!

To explain what Next! really means, it is a concept that comes from within a secure, confident woman who has a reason to be confident. Her confidence is not false or overbearing, but pleasant and assured. She's spent time working on herself and she’s pretty sure that her baggage is light.

She nurtures her spiritual health, her mental health, her emotional health, her PHYSICAL health, and her financial health.

When this woman meets a man, she goes out on a date or two and she listens to ALL of her womanly instincts. She doesn’t just listen to the desperation that chimes from her soul. No, she acknowledges those uncomfortable warning signals as well because this is the best time to face them. This is the time before she falls and it is the easiest time to tell a man NEXT! if he is not on her mental, emotional, or spiritual level. There are a lot of men in the world, and she does not suffer with someone who doesn’t deserve her. She is not delusional about her worth. Nor is she in denial about her faults. The Universe has supplied THIS WOMAN with a nice number of the male species to comfortably pick and choose from.

Please do not think that because you weren't born the prettiest baby... or because you can’t solve a calculus equation... that you won’t be able to pick and choose your man. The truth is that grown men ultimately choose a woman for how well she takes care of herself (beyond being a shopaholic), how well she takes care of him, how easy she is to get along with, and how she makes him feel. Period. If she has some outstanding bonus (cooking, singing, writing, leading, being a peace maker, etc.), that’s only icing on the cake.

Men are simple creatures. When you become a better woman, a better man will find you. When a woman lives her life in a way that reflects a better woman, this not only strengthens her self image, but her REALISTIC, not boastful, self love will shine and virtually blind a good man into submission.

(Copyright 2009)

Shaunie, Rihanna, Angel Murphy, Katt

2009-11-10T21:06:00.015-06:00

Shaunie and Shaq Call it Quits Again

I guess Shaunie's doing more than looking at the front door. She done packed the kids up, moved to another city, and filed papers on Shaq AGAIN. He probably couldn't keep his hands to himself (not in a Chris Brown kind of way), and she burned out. Or is this just something they ... do? We'll see if this divorce ever materializes. The O'Neals appear to be the type who can't get enough of each other. Besides, didn't she know what kind of man Shaq was when she married him? I thought deep down she was cool with the affairs. Perhaps not.

The Obligatory Rihanna and Chris Brown Post

You know I'm on the woman's side. Team Rihanna all day. I have a problem with black women who don't believe Rihanna's version of what happened. "I DID NOT HIT HIM. IT WAS A VERBAL ARGUMENT." Why not believe her? No police report says otherwise. Chris Brown didn't say otherwise. Rihanna wasn't charged with anything; however, Chris Brown has 2 felonies on his back. You do the math.

Let's say that Rihanna did swing at him. How many times do you think this slim woman actually swang at this crazy beast before he started punching, chocking, and biting? Normally, if a man hits a woman as a reflex, it's a one hit stunner. It's not a knock down, drag out, I'm-trying-to-kill-this-Islander type scenario. Don't you remember the pain and shame on Rihanna's abuse photo? (I'm mad that Black women are giving Chris Brown a pass and blaming Rihanna. How about giving the "nice guys" and "goofy guys" a pass and doggoing out the abusers? What's up with these wack alliances?)

I'm thinking about Chris Brown's behavior after the beat down: laughing, joking, and wearing chains that say "Oops". Then after a severe fanbase drop, he poured on the sad tweets and musical dedications to Rihanna. Like a typical abuser, he apologized and more recently he requested that Rihanna keep the events of the night private. They never want you to tell what happened.

So what if Rihanna's using this time to promote her CD? Catching a beating that serious - and then getting back with the man - would leave any woman's head spinning. Rihanna just had to take a minute to get her FLY back and figure out exactly how she wanted to proceed. She had to be sure about her decision to leave or stay with Chris Brown before speaking. She had to heal. I'm pretty sure that working on an album was instrumental in her healing process. She left Chris for good, got her confidence and swag back, recorded a CD, and felt ready to talk about the incident. Seems to me like Rihanna, or someone around her, knows how to maturely handle business.

Mel B. Should Be Investigated for Child Abuse

Because any woman who consistently leaves the house looking hotttt with a full head of hair but keeps her daughter looking like Maddox is probably doing some unspeakable things behind closed doors. WTH?

For God sakes lady, you gave birth to this little girl. Have a heart.

Mel B. is trying her BEST to get a phone call from Eddie.

Katt Williams Likes Boys

Ok, take care of business first, Smokie. Katt Williams was recently arrested for burglary. He looks doped out.

Now to the meat of the story. No pun intended. The 911 caller is a 17 year old boy who sounds like he was born gay. He says that Katt won't let him leave. He doesn't say Katt is standing outside with a bomb or a gun. He just says that little bitty Katt Williams won't let him leave.

All I hear is a domestic dispute between two male lovers. I told y'all Katt was more than a "pimp".

Listen to 911 Call Here

Sammy Sosa...Please.

2009-11-10T14:53:00.006-06:00

Sammy Sosa claims that he's now a light skinned man because of "skin rejuvination". Yeah whatever.

He was much more handsome as the brown skinned man who God created him to be. Now he just looks like George Jefferson's body guard.

The Jackson 2

2009-11-09T21:23:00.010-06:00

Michael Jackson is gone, never to return. I wasn't a fan per say, but I knew the brother was mad talented and I felt nothing but respect with a dash of repulsion for him. I liked the guy. I was pretty interested in MJ news when he was alive.

Not so much any more. If it has anything to do with Joe, Jermaine, or any random Jackson not named Michael or Janet I'm just not interested. That's it. THOSE are the Jacksons -- Mike and Janet. Jackson news lives on only in Mike's music... and Janet. So why do TMZ and other sites insist on feeding us Joe Jackson news? There is no "exclusive" Joe Jackon news.

Whitney Houston Live: Much Better!

2009-10-21T23:42:00.003-05:00

Whitney looked great and sounded much stronger than her last live performance of Million Dollar Bill. Go Whitney! She's getting there!

Black People: The New Free Race

2009-10-21T21:18:00.007-05:00

Like many of you who actually read for pleasure and growth, I’m frustrated with my people. Black people. African American if you prefer.

I see us sipping too much syrup, smoking too much weed, loving Lil Wayne too hard, showing too much skin, not loving each other enough, etcetera etcetera. I don’t have to tell you that we’re far behind in the areas of ambition, progress, and civility. Sure, we have a Black president, but look at the country he inherited. Look at how hard he had to work to get where he arrived. Notice his mixed parentage.

Sure, we can be proud of his accomplishments but let's not forget to jet back to reality: he’s but ONE single black man. That’s it. We have ONE black President to be proud of. He could hang a baby and we’d vote for him next term. Extreme, yes, but you’d be surprised at who’s thinking, “Hell yeah” right about now.

We have Oprah and Obama on the national stage. White America, on the other hand, has all of the previous presidents and a ton of white men who would scoff at Oprah’s financial balance.

It seems like we’re way behind. Seems like we might never catch up or get ourselves together, doesn’t it? If I didn’t know better I’d think that we are about to disintegrate into one big race of fatherless menaces to society.

But are we really behind? Is it hopeless? I don’t think so. I think we are right on schedule. Let’s do that math. We were in slavery as soon as we hit the continent. We didn’t find jobs and work our way up in 20 years. We were lucky not to be killed and live a long life as a good slave. There were no alternatives. We couldn’t speak English for the longest, and by the time we could we’d been so oppressed that it took us hundreds of years to find an underground railroad.

But we found it. We were eventually freed on paper, but it took the Civil Rights movement to truly end our slavery. Jim Crow may not have come with whips and indentured servitude, but it certainly came with lynchings, segregation, and Caucasian piss in Black water fountains.

To be fair, we were not essentially born until 1965. As a race – Free African AMERICAN – we are only 44 years old. That’s it. We’re not as old as my parents. White people are hundreds of years old. Thousands. They have roots. Although many White Americans’ ancestors were immigrants, they still have roots that reach back much farther than my great, great, great grandfather. Financial and relationship lessons and traditions were taught from one white generation to the next. White Americans were allowed centuries to fall, get back up, fall again, get back up again, explore, learn, and EXCEL. They once lived as barbarians, but they had more than 44 years to become civilized.

I don’t offer slavery as an excuse for lazy blacks. I only offer it as an explanation. A reason. A fact. A consideration.

As a black woman, I know that there is absolutely no need to give up on the Black race. We ARE Kings and Queens and with time we’ll remember that and act accordingly.

Whitney Performs "Million Dollar Bill"

2009-10-19T18:08:00.010-05:00

Whitney Houston was full of all kind of contradictions when she hit the "X Factor" stage. How is she out of breath on the first word of the song? How is she out of breath without doing one dance move? And call me crazy, but how does a skinny girl pop out of her clothes? LOL

Get it together, Whit. Get it ALL together instead of rushing back home to that million dollar habit!

The word of the day is REHEARSAL.

Queen Latifah Does Mo'Nique

2009-10-14T23:49:00.004-05:00

Considering all the factual rumors, maybe that wasn't the best title for this post....

Queen Latifah recently made an appearance on The Mo'Nique show, looking pounds lighter and sounding octaves better. The Queen has really grown as an artist and entertainer. Her new song "Fast Car" is catchy and she hits all of the light yet soulful notes that she shoots for. I thoroughly enjoyed this clip. I'll bet you will too.

Fast Car UNITY TMS Live
by yardie4lifever2

Mathew Knowles Has a Baby On the Way

2009-10-02T18:58:00.005-05:00

....so says Alexsandra Wright and I totally believe her.

We've learned Alexsandra Wright filed the case in L.A. County Superior Court. Wright lives in L.A. -- she works in the name-branding business. We're told she's in her late 30s.

Wright, who is 6-months pregnant, filed the case last week, alleges Knowles is the father. Sources say Wright is repped by Neal Hersh, who is currently repping Lamar Odom in the prenup negotiations with Khloe Kardashian.Source

I guess this explains the emotional moment Bey and her mom had in the video below back in April of THIS YEAR.

Yeah, it's true. Mat's still a dog. Don't act like Kelly Rowland isn't his too.

Why I Don't Watch DWTS

2009-09-24T01:18:00.001-05:00

Last Shot at Fame...?

2009-09-13T23:52:00.015-05:00

Does Lil Mama want some fame or what? If it's good enough for Kanye West, d*mmit, it's good enough for Lil Mama. Who knows? Lil Testosterone's stage crashing might make her the talk of the town come morning. This might be the sliiiiight push she needs to become a household name.

Jay-Z looked like "What is that?" - "Who is that?" - "Security." Alicia wasn't trying to be bothered.

At this point, you have to know Lil Mama is crazier than Kanye West will ever be. Bless her hard soul.

Whitney Houston - I Look to You

2009-09-12T23:55:00.004-05:00

I love this song. It's on constant repeat.

I feel the strength in Whit's voice. Before, she was perfect and even somewhat soulless, but this Whitney has been through it, and once you realize that she's singing a GOSPEL song from the heart, you'll appreciate it so much more. Unless you've been through something REAL and YOUR FAULT like Ms. Houston has, you might not get "I Look to You" fully. Just wait. One day you're going to be in the middle of a storm, or just on the other side of a storm and "I Look to You" will speak to your soul...

Chris Brown, the Village Idiot

2009-09-02T23:34:00.007-05:00

I admit that I stole that title from my good friend, Larry. I'll take an idea and run with it if you don't. Zero shame.

Anyway. What a joke Chris Brown turned out to be. He came on Larry King Live and basically gave one big apology to the people and let us know he loves Rihanna. His lawyer made sure to divulge that Rihanna had slapped Chris before... but nobody could give us any details about the night he almost beat her into a coma "out of respect for her privacy". Whatever dudes. Larry King tried, in his slap dog way, to get a detail or two from Chris but Chris got stuck on, "Wow - wow - uh wow". Repeat this 20 times and that's pretty much the transcript of the interview.

If you're going to reserve time to speak on an incident DO THAT. Chris Brown could have just recorded a public apology and been done with it. I can forgive him and just look at him for the entertainment. Nobody needed him to put on a bow tie and dodge all the real questions in an *Exclusive* interview. And I surely didn't need to see his enabling mom crying one second and looking like a pit bull ready to pounce the next.

The Whitney Houston Hour

2009-09-02T19:46:00.016-05:00

I sincerely hope that this post manages to convey all of the good, bad, sad, frustrated, and hopeful feelings that I have for my girl.

I’ve always been a Bobby Brown fan first, but I loves me some Whitney Houston. Needless to say, watching her on Good Morning America this morning was kind of hard. I loved her energy and her command of the stage, but the vocals were shaky. More shaky than, "she's getting older" ....more like, "crack is a witch."

Don't for a second get it twisted: I salute Whitney for trying to get her life together and battling such a tragic addiction. I sympathize with her from the bottom of my heart, BUT. Is she broke? Why’d she do this? I saw Being Bobby Brown and I know Whitney didn’t put out a new CD just for the fans. lol What’s up, Nippy?

Whitney Houston's 'Million Dollar...
Million Dollar Bill

Whitney Is 'Every Woman'
Every Woman

Whitney Houston: 'My Love Is Your Love'
My Love Is Your Love
Whitney: I’mma make y’all realize it’s a difference. My baby can’t sing a note!

I just love Whitney for singing, “Me and Bobby’s baby…”

Bobbi Kristina comes on stage for this one. Isn’t she turning out so lovely? I have to wonder how the child of Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston can’t sing though.

I’ve watched these clips a few times; you can’t deny that she can still carry a tune or that she’ll always have a nice tone, but Whitney's voice sounds so hoarse and strained and smoked the hell OUT. A few times I actually had to make sure that wasn’t Frankie crashing the set. Let us all pray that our Whitney will quit the Newports and work on her voice. I hear something there so all is not lost... ala Aretha Franklin.

The CD?

I like it! I can do without the oooh yeah and oooh Lord fillers, but it’s a nice CD for grown people to groove to. I’ve heard MUCH worse. We'll just consider this CD her first *rough* one after coming through the storm. To be perfectly honest with you, I'll take Whitney's new CD anyday over Vanessa Williams'.

What if Whitney Houston called Mariah Carey after doing her set on GMA?

Mariah and Nick turn off the television and look at each other with raised eyebrows after watching Whitney on Good Morning America. Mariah can’t talk because she doesn’t speak before noon to preserve her voice.

Mariah’s cell rings. She sees Whitney’s name on the caller ID. Eyes light up.

Mariah: (To Nick) Put down that keyboard; watch me clown right quick. (Puts phone on speaker and sings into the phone) HellooooOOooo? This is Mariaaaah Caaarey speaking ooooooooooooo!

Whitney: Mariah?

Mariah: (Still singing) Yeeees, yeessss what’s uuuuup old friiii-e-e-end? You are my friiiiiend -

Whitney: Oh, hell to the naw. I don’t know why you singing and whispering baby girl. I had to get on crack and weed and powder and handlebars and Bobby and everything else just to come down to your level. Don’t act brand new. I caught the Michael Jackson memorial.

Nick: (Runs to Mariah’s side) Just hang up the phone baby…

Salute - Whitney Houston

Sing it, Whitney!

MJB - The One

2009-08-30T14:30:00.003-05:00

A song to listen to while cleaning or clubbing, The One is my new jam. Drake is totally unnecessary but tolerated.

God Bless the Child

2009-08-28T16:11:00.006-05:00

How sad and horrific the past 18 years must have been for Jaycee Lee Dugard. I'm sure you've heard about the kidnap victim resurfacing 18 years after her deranged abductor (and his wife????) snatched her as she arrived at her school bus stop.

Phillip Garrido and his wife, Nancy, took Jaycee Dugard and held her captive in a series of backyard sheds for almost 2 decades. As if that weren't bad enough, Dugard now has 2 children with Garrido -- two girls ages 11 and 15. I don't even want to think about what their sick father probably did to them as well.

We all have our just opinions about Phillip Garrido, but I don't know what to say about his wife. I don't know what to think of her. How? Why? What?

Phillip looks like a small (could be tall, but very slim), controlling, mentally ill, pathetic, and even unstraight male. I guess you wonder why I put that part in. I can't tell you; he just looks like he doesn't like women to me. But he doesn't look like somebody who THAT woman above would fear. And if she did participate in the kidnapping out of fear, she doesn't look like she'd be scared for 18 years. So why did she silently participate? She knew the girl was back there, presumably, and she never went to the authorities...? Why?

When I look at her face I see ... a woman who just didn't care. I might even see a mean witch. (Trying yet again to stop cussing...)

I pray that somehow Jaycee and her children can recover at least 70% from this. If there's any bright side to be found, it's that the children weren't born out of incest like Elisabeth Fritzl's...

Phillip is a possible prostitute killer, too.

Story here

Universal Health Care Message to Americans From Canadian Doctors & Health Care Experts

2009-08-28T16:04:00.001-05:00

What say you?

R. Kelly feat. Keri Hilson - Number One

2009-08-19T22:32:00.008-05:00

I know I'm late, but yeah whatever... I finally watched the video to R. Kelly and Keri Hilson's song, "Number One Sex" and I have to say it's alright. Of course, I'm conflicted between thoughts of "ew" towards R. Kelly and my love for this song. But that's what R. Kelly does to a person when he makes a good jam. And Ms. Keri Baby just looks and sounds so fresh, for lack of a better word.

It must be written that I don't care for R. Kelly singing about sex anymore than I'd care to hear Chris Brown singing about beating an Islander, but I dig the song.

Cash for Clunkers Flops?

2009-08-19T22:22:00.003-05:00

It seemed like a great idea at first – kind of like Oprah’s free KFC coupons? – but the Cash for Clunkers program is rapidly coming to an end. It was every hooptie owner’s dream to trade his/her old worn out wheels in for something new and improved. Then, the government promised to pay dealerships $4,500 towards the car too? Could a deal be any sweeter?

Wait.

Unfortunately, just like many black operated establishments, the boss hasn’t paid up. Dealerships are complaining that they’ve sold 90% of their cars and still no reimbursement checks. So, with no supply and no money, they can’t sell anymore cars under the Cash for Clunkers plan.

Obama know he need to pay those people.

Souce

New Music from Chris Brown + Jamie Foxx Naked!

2009-08-16T13:24:00.008-05:00

Ginuwine – Trouble

It’s going to take this song x 10 to bring Ginuwine anywhere near back.

Chris Brown – Changed Man

Booooooooooooooo

Beyonce - Poison

It might grow on me.

As a side note, India.Arie was recently on 106 & Park. Doing her Own.Thing. Good thing she’s not her hair…

Don’t Malinda and her husband D Nice look so grown and sexy?

And oh yeah! Jamie Foxx took it to another level with the nude picture. View it here. It’s not safe for work or in front of anyone that you don’t feel comfortable watching porn with.

All About Whitney

2009-08-16T13:06:00.003-05:00

Whitney Houston

When you see her name, what comes to mind? Regal. Voice. Drugs. Beautiful. Older. Voice. Funny. Bobby Brown. Bobbi Kristina. Voice. Tragic. Dionne Warwick. Spiritual. Crazy. Voice. New CD…

On September 2nd Whitney Houston will drop her first CD in 7 years. I imagine that I Look To You won’t come through the speakers with such clear perfection as I Will Always Love You, but I’m fine with that. After all that she’s been through, it’s expected that her voice, today, can’t sound like anything but a combination of all of the words in the paragraph above.

As long as she doesn’t “yeah yeah yeah” me to death on the tracks, I’m sure I’ll love her new CD. It’s not like anyone but new parent JHud can sing as well or better than Whitney anyway. Something tells me that her comeback won’t be the disappointment that Mike Tyson’s was. Whitney can still sing. Will it so bad if she only sounds like an above average singer now?

Good Morning America has a Whitney Houston page full of videos, pictures, and general information about her new CD. Click HERE to check it out.

Bear Grylls is So Nasty

2009-08-16T12:44:00.007-05:00

Discovery Channel's Man vs. Wild started out highly entertaining for all the right reasons. Then, Bear Grylls turned into something almost cannibal-like and it was revealed that he sleeps in motels between shoots. I could deal with his motel usage, but the constant slaughtering and eating of wild animals for entertainment purposes is not my idea of right.

Bear's went from eating raw fish to ripping open reindeers and snakes...with his mouth...while they are still moving. Too much!

In the clip below, he traps and kills a large wild animal by slitting its throat. He then goes straight Vampire and drinks the blood pouring from its neck. As if that's not shocking enough, he finishes off by ripping the poor animal’s heart out and taking a healthy bite from the tip.

Exceedingly gross and needless.

Where’s PETA? Why hasn’t Bear Grylls lost his job…?

Rihanna Jams

2009-08-14T09:56:00.002-05:00

I'm just in a Rihanna mood today.

I know this song isn't new (and it's for teenagers), but I love how Rihanna sounds on it...

And this goes so hard in the "fun" clubs....

My other fav Rihanna song:

Fake Lottery Ticket

2009-08-12T00:48:00.002-05:00

Surely this isn't real, but it's funny. I was given a fake winning lottery ticket a few years ago myself. It wasn't for $2 million, but I wanted the $10K just as much. Itchbay.

Why Your Boss Shouldn't Be a Friend on Facebook

2009-08-12T00:37:00.002-05:00

Mos Def Sings Billy Jean and Moonwalks

2009-08-10T02:13:00.001-05:00

He moonwalks at the end with such ease.

How's Your Summer Going?

2009-08-10T01:34:00.015-05:00

Wow, I've really neglected my little blog, haven't I? I haven't been browsing the normal spots and I haven't really been following gossip sites (gasp!) What have I been doing all summer? I've been swimming, getting my son ready to be a young man, partying, chillin with new and old friends, and I've fallen prey to a vicious new drug - Facebook!

Facebook puts you in touch with everyone you ever knew in life, provided they are at all computer literate and actually want to be found. I've ran into past and present friends, foes, old boyfriends, neighbors, former teachers, vague acquaintances, and people I wouldn't remember even if they showed me a picture of us together having a BLAST. (This has happened and the embarrassment can not be measured.)

A few pics from this summer...

I've been chillin at the beach....

Partying on yachts in illfitting dresses...

And just being with my Sweetie...

I hope you're having a great summer too!

Drake Falls

2009-08-01T19:39:00.003-05:00

Maybe I’m real childish, but this was FUN-NY to me; I’ve watched it about 5 times so far. Drake does his hand thing, twirls, falls, and becomes one with the floor for a minute. It's so lame and goofy looking. I pity-love Drake.

Why do I feel like he just might not be ready to perform for the people? Is he faking - or exaggerating - his injury? In any event, the whole thing is hilarious. One day he'll perform on his feet.

Hold Up Wait a Minute, Put A Little White In It!

2009-07-30T01:55:00.070-05:00

While some sistas were putting up with lazy, gay, and/or generally sorry Black men, these sistas said Boy bye! and found successful unions with successful men of other races, mainly white. It's so interesting that Black women generally go for the cream of the crop white man, but Black men sometimes (usually) bend down to scrape the bottom of the white girl barrel.

Were you aware that an increasing number of white men love the strength and natural loveliness of Black women? They appreciate the difference and marvel at the beauty. I’m all for Black love, but if the store is out of brown bread I don't see nothin' wrong with trying the white.

This post is very picture-intense, but a picture is worth a thousand words. Imagine what all of these pics are saying...

Venus Williams and her boyfriend

Thandie Newton's mom and dad

Chris North and Tara Wilson

The Ambassor to the UN, Susan Rice, and Ian Cameron

Stacey Dash and husband Emmanuel Xuereb

The whole Mowry family

Simon Cowell and Teri

Ronald Betts and Family. Billionaires.

Venus Williams and Hank Kuehne, again

Robert Dinero and wife Grace Hightower

Peter Norton (Norton anti-virus) and wife Gwen

Paula and Robin Thicke

Olympic star Tina Ellerston and family

Olympic star Mary Wineberg and her husband/coach

Deborah Wilson and Cliff Skelton and look at Regina King with Nicholas Gonzales!

Naimi Cambell and her rich man. This is her longest relationship.

Tia Mowry and boyfriend

*Just wanted to make sure you were paying attention.*

Michal and Tarika

George Lucas of Star Wars fame and wife Mellody Hobson. Get it girl.

Just a megarich couple. His money.

Marsha Thompsaon and husband

Mark and Allison ECKO

Lydia and Mat Peobody. Filthy rich.

Kim Wayans and husband

Kim Hamilton and Werner Klemperer

Ms. Kelly and a guy she either is dating or was dating.

Keesha Sharp and husband. Mmmm...

Jane Fonda's son and wife

Halle and her baby daddy

Golden Brooks and her boyfriend

Celebrated chef Wolfgang Puck and his wife Gelita

Garcelle and her family

Eve and fiance Shane Powell

Eve and Shane again :-)

Now would you look at this. Anything is possible people! This is Count and Countess Ferdinand.

Movie critic Rupert and his wife Chaz

Angela Howard and Matt Stone, originator of the South Park Series

Alice Walker with her family

Alfre Woodard and husband

Alec Wec and boyfriend

Akira and her husband. Asian's need love too.

Kerry Washington and her new man

Now check out all of these ordinary interracial couples:

Did she snag a Pilot?

That's that good ole used-to-be-your-Domestic love.

Family membership at the gym!

Interesting...

Here comes the bride!

Interesting II

That's that good ole used-to-be-your-slave love!

So what's up ladies? Will you date outside of your race?

A Day in the Life: A Different Kind of Movie

2009-07-26T19:29:00.006-05:00

I've been mute since watching this trailer for Sticky Fingaz's new movie A Day in the Life. They are RAPPING the whole thing. The gun fights, the murders, the jacking. The everything.

A DAY IN THE LIFE Music Video/Trailer from KB on Vimeo.
Hip Hop has died. (But I still want to see the movie.)

The Game Loves Jay-Z

2009-07-26T12:24:00.004-05:00

Forget the beef that The Game's trying to start -- that bi-polar joke has mentioned Jay-Z's name 77 times on record. Does he even have 77 songs?

JAY Z NAME DROPS BY GAME

1. “No beef with Jay” “one blood”

2. “Got a hook from Faith, no verse from Jay
I guess on Westside Story he thought I spit in his face” “Westside Story”

3. “Dre told me he ain’t doin “Detox,” this his only run
Ma$e comin back, and Hovi done” “No more fun and games”

4 “It’s “Me & My Girlfriend” like 2Pac and them
Jay-Z and Beyonce, or Bobby and Whitney “Special”

5. “Rap critics politickin, wanna know the outcome
“Ready to Die” “Reasonable Doubt” and “Doggystyle” in one “Dreams”

6. “Make the club R.O.C. without Timberland boots “Higher”

7.”I was gassed up, Murder Inc., Roc-A-Fella passed up”

8. “It took me a little while but I am now understandin
Jay ****ed up in the first round when he picked olowankandi” “Memp Bleek Iz”

9. “Oh, that boy colder than Hova unless he sober” “300 Bars”

10. “And ain’t nobody tryin to take Beyonce from Jay
But I know a ***** named Superhead he ****ed back in the day” Wouldnt Get Far”

11.”Took you to award shows, there go Jay right there”
“One Night”

12.”Bangin “The Black Album,” track #1
she like that Jay ****, that’s her favorite” “Around The World”

13. “Behind the back to Nas he alley oop to Jigga” “Why U hate The Game”

14. “Niqqas show me love in the hood like i was HOV down Flushing” “State Yo Name”

15. “The day Jay retire I’ma park next to the throne, in a Maybach on gold wires, yeah “Hands On The Pump”

16. “Cuz he know Jay-Z departed
And these other rap labels know don’t feed they artists
Talkin blueprint **** you got three garages
Gettin money off Roc like little E and carter”

17. “And 2Pac was in jail the day you called to hit him up
I wouldn’t be outside 40/40 bumpin ‘Jigga What’”

18.”I’m the king, and you better respect it
All I need is Beyonce, and a Roc-a-fella necklace”

19. “I’m the golden boy, and I’m making Hova noise
Got the whole world clapping, just like the Nolia Boys”

20. “I told ‘em bomp, slow down baby
Got to get this **** firm like Foxy, NaS and AZ
She said ‘**** you,pay me
So I left her in AZ
That’s what I get for letting her listen to my Jay-Z”

21. “*****, I’m number one, motherfukka bar none
Who else kick knowlegde outside of Hova and the God Son”

22. “U gon make me/ make Jay lose his cool” “Feel It In The Air”

23. “Too much West coast dikc lickn, remember Jay-Z? “1-800-Homicide”

24. “No Em, no Dre, I’m the hottest since Jay” “Get Up”

25. “Cause I’m the man behind the Roc like Kanye West”

26.”A pimp like 50, the niqqa to leave you broke ma
6 in the mornin, you stretchin on the sofa
singin ain’t no niqqa like Foxy Brown and Hova” “Compton to Fillmoe”

27. “I’m runnin the ROC, not Jay, Dame Dash of Hoffa” “Jackin 4 Beats”

28. “Who the fuk holdin me? i was just waitin ’til HOVA leave
wit my eyes on the thrown that belong to me” “Round Here Freestyle”

29. “yeah its me and young cass til hov come back” “Aim Ya Gunz”

30. “Throw Jay-z in the pot, mix em with ren
or O.J on the rocks, mix em with gin
whatchu got? the westcoast riding again” “82 Days”

31. “i found out it was a hard knock life without asking Jay” “Duck Down”

32. “Fake king of new york, U aint Jay z” “soundscan”

33. “Me, Em and 50 racin’ this rap siht is basic I followed that Jay siht” “We Aint”

34. “The kings comin’, no I’m not Jay-Z” “One Blood Remix”

35. “Not the rap martyr, or the second rap Carter” “for My gangstaz”

36. “niqqa I’m about a dollar, what the fuk is 50 Cent?
When Jay said it, I didn’t know what it meant” “100 Bars”

37. “used to push that rock like Jay Hov” “Red Bandana”

38. “then this marcy-project niqqa came and stole the crown” “Im a soldier”

39. “But Kanye and Hova killed it without a doubt” “Just a lil Bit freestyle”

40. “Who had the hottest chick in the game, wearin they chain
Mr. H to the Izzo, Nas and Hurricane” “too Much”

41. ” cuz ain’t nobody movin units but Jay, pimp Juice and Us” - Down 4 my *****s freestyle

43. “I used to have visions of retiring like Jigga” “Du Rags

44. “He in a vest with a hoodrat from Marcy with a tattoo of Jay-Z name on her chest” “Its So Hard”

45. “Im classic like Detox & Blueprint 2″ “Get Yo Money”

46.”Yall thought it was over when Hova retired” “Get Yo Money”

47. “Make the world feel like the niqqas before 2pac Shakur Christopher Wallace & Shawn Corey” “Dont Push Me…”

48. “… He aint teach Jigga how to rhyme” “Juice freestyle”

49. “Im going to same place Jay-z went Fredrico & Pico” “100 Bars”

50. “Hov retired but Compton still pushin Roc” “On & On”

51. “I came to see chicks shake they ass like Beyonce so let me be Hov 4 a min.”

52. “All I gotta do is hit her wit a Jay-Z line like u deserve to be my sunshine”

53. “Biggie Smalls is the illest so is pac Jay retired i wonder if nas gon drop” “Unbeliveable freestyle”

54. “i kno they sayin y u gotta mention Jay” “State Yo Name”

55. “First Jay & Beyonce then Nas & Kelis” “A Week Ago Part 2″

56.”u 36 And U Still Rappin Uhh, Im 26 And Homie So Iz Da Dubz” “one Blood”

57.”So I reconciled my differences like he did with Jigga” Game on ‘Hustlers’

58. “Im ready to die Without a reasonable doubt” “The Documentary”

59. “In ‘99 i studied +The Chronic+ inside out,
a Doggystyle for breakfast, lunch was Reasonable Doubt ” “im A Soldier freestyle”

60. “Shouldnt been influenced by Calvin Broadus, Nasir Jones & Shawn Corey” “Pain In My Life Remix”

61. Yo Jay what it do niqqa, i done rocked enough fellas,to be u niqqa,i got the 40/40,they my 2 jigga’s”

62. The word n!gger, is nothing like *****
Don’t sound **** alike, like Game like Jigga

63.”I was more hood then suge, had more rocs then Jay
more scars on my face then the original scarface, or the homeboy scarface.”

64. “i need more than 60 seconds i aint Hov”
- Hot 2Nite (Remix)

65.”Moved out the hood, changed her name to Jay”

66. “He ain’t Nas, ain’t B.I.G., ain’t Jigga” 300 bars

67. “”Pushing the rock, nah this ain’t no subliminal Jay
The summer too hot, and I want the winter to stay” Dear Summer

68.”"I’m fly like a Hummingbird on a tree top
The new Hov, the new B.I.G., the new ‘Pac, I need three spots”

69. “”Ask a Jay-Z fan about Big Daddy Kane, don’t know em, Game gon show em” - Games Pain

70. “”She call me Jay I call her B we getting married to the streets” - Camera Phone

71. “”The kings coming, no i’m not Jay-z/ too many *****s hate me, but they scared to face me” 1 blood remix

72. “So I reconciled my differences like he did with Jigga” Make The World Go Round

73. “”I hear the crowd callin my name Game, Game
but i’m not one so don’t try to play me
and this goes from Gucci Mane to Jay-Z” - Laugh

74.”hip hop is soft since the Roc-A-Fella break up/and i don’t do subliminals I just pick Jay up” - Walk in the streets

75.”I’m that six figga *****/who got the word from KRS-One and stole the Blueprint from Jigga” - Feels Good

76.”They say at Summer Jam i turned it out/but Kanye and Hova killed it without a doubt” - Just a lil bit (G-Unit Diss)

77.”"We on that same elevator goin down, Dodger fitted got that Hova lean so they don’t notice me” - Down & Out (mixtape version)”

Laneah ft. MJB - Screaming My Name

2009-07-26T11:48:00.003-05:00

I think I like it!

Extra Clean High Fashion

2009-07-25T22:46:00.002-05:00

The Pine-Sol lady aint playing with y'all. Do it, Diane Amos!

WORK IT OUT!

2009-07-24T20:26:00.012-05:00

$55Gs a month? Bossy doesn’t even scratch the surface!

Let’s suppose that the ruling stands and Nas has to dig deep and chunk Kelis more than lint every month for the next 18 years. Ohhh weee! The Lil Homie aint won since '01 when he Ether’d Jay. Somewhere in New York, Shawn Carter is reflecting on all of the right decisions he’s made – marrying a woman with unmatched talent, her own money, and about the business of saving face; never having a CD named Nigger; and all of his profitable business deals. Hov has to be feeling like the ultimate winner right about now. Ether was but a record. $55,000 a month is a sentence.

If there ever was a time to beg, send flowers, stick it out, and do whatever Shaq had to do to get Shanie back, now is the time for Nas to be that man. Get some counseling, understand pregnancy hormones, go to church, pray, tuck his pride away, go to rehab, put Kelis on some sanity pills...something! Ya boy better work this situation out faster than Solange put her wig back on.

No words....or hair

2009-07-23T09:20:00.009-05:00

Clearly, Solange is happy being single and doesn't plan on changing that status anytime soon. Seriously though, WTH?

From Solange's Twitter page:
dont need your atten or your co-sign. i am #3. trending topic. before. IRAN. &. some of you cant even locate it on a map

'I'm Bi-Racial...Not Black Damn It!"

2009-07-22T15:46:00.010-05:00

Word?

"I'm 9. I have a white dad and a black mom. A lot of my friends are white. When I'm over at their house and my mom comes sometimes it can be a little embarrassing because everyone's white there." Damn, little girl, somebody needs to find you some black pride STAT.

I'm sorry but, come on, these beautiful people are complaining about something pretty... insignificant. I'm not bi-racial, so I don't know the bi-racial experience but I do know the light skinned girl experience and it aint bad. It does hurt when you are a child, though, to be told you look and act white by your black friends and foes. But by the time you reach puberty you are LOVIN' the person God made you to be, so poo poo to the fake complaints.

Do bi-racial people really feel like they don't belong to any group? As many bi-racial children as we have in the world now...? I think the adults in this video just wanted to be filmed shouting loud and proud that they aren't Black. Whatever. Not to demean the bi-racial persons' plight, but there are jet black sistas and brothas who are having a much harder time being accepted by whites AND blacks. Let's keep it real real. The bi-racials will be OK.

Kelis in Labor

2009-07-21T23:01:00.005-05:00

So, Kelis is in labor. Was in labor? And supposedly she didn't let Nas see the birth or the baby. Let me step outside of my normal girl power box and dig in on Kelis because I love the air Nas breathes. Point blank. Ride or die. So, it is out of that love for Nas that I say...

That baby probably aint even his.

Mama's Gone

2009-07-21T22:46:00.004-05:00

Remember Maria del Carmen Bousada? If you don’t know her by name, this picture should refresh your memory. She is, was, the old lady who had twins via invitro at the post menopausal age of 66.

Now she’s dead and the boys aren’t even 3.

“I knew it!” “Selfish!” Most of us sit in high moral authority at the audacity of this woman. The nerve of her! Bringing kids into this world well past her dip it low stage. Not only did she lie about her age to qualify for the procedure (claimed to be 55 when she was really 66, but what’s the real difference other than early social security checks vs. full social security checks?), but she also figured she'd live to 101 just because her mother did. Then stomach cancer hit and the rest is history.

You know, I look at Maria and I reflect on my own mild desire to have two more children. I’m 37. I never thought I’d ever contemplate having a new baby, but here I am, a newlywed who loves the cute babies. But the decision to have another child this late in the game is to be carefully weighed.

Then I think...what if I put off having a baby for TWENTY-NINE more years...?

HELL NO. I'd die within 5 years of having a kid at 66. Just like Maria.

Chris Brown's Apology

2009-07-20T18:03:00.008-05:00

Did he write this himself? Don't know.
Is he really sorry or is this just a part of required community service? Don't know.
Did he learn a few lessons from this incident? Don't know.
Why'd he wear a chain that says "Oops"? Don't know.
Will he beat another woman? Don't know.
Did Rihanna hit him over and over until he retaliated? DON'T KNOW.

The older I get the more I realize that I don't usually know the situation behind another person's business to impart a verdict on THEIR lives. All I know is that Chris Brown is talented and he DID get in Rihanna's azz that night. Anything else regarding Chris Brown and Rihanna I have no idea. I've never been to either of their homes or hung out with either one. So, all I can say is I hope that everyone comes out of the situation a better person.

if i was chris brown i wouldve said "look i need yall to buy my albums again cuz if u dont aint no tell who daughter i might beat next"
From Lil Duval's Twitter page. lol

Think You Can...

2009-07-14T15:34:00.001-05:00

...beat this guy's time?

Effing AMAZING!

Positive Black Marriages

2009-07-13T15:21:00.002-05:00

Coming August 14, 2009:
Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage

Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage - Theatrical Trailer from Tyler New Media on Vimeo.

Can't wait to see it. Happy, black, MARRIED couples are all around us although the media would have you believe differently.

Source

Michael Jackson's Ghost?

2009-07-10T11:50:00.002-05:00

You decide....

Meredith Vieira Insults Guest

2009-07-10T11:36:00.004-05:00

I can see all the NBC bean counters, all of my wardrobe is going to be from PropertyRoom.com, starting with (pointing at her guest) that ugly yellow dress.

Was she drunk? WOW, I haven't seen an inface diss like this in a minute. Did this guest sleep with her husband or something???

PSA: Snoop From Time to Time!

2009-07-10T00:13:00.011-05:00

What can I say about Steve McNair that hasn’t already been said? I recently did a post on cheaters, so we all know how I feel about them. I’d like to withhold judgment of Steve McNair but his situation fits so neatly in the “things you shouldn’t get caught up in” box.

A rich, black, married, father of four SONS has an affair with a barely legal Iranian waitress, who was, evidently, not to be lied to or played with. She kills him, kills herself, and his legacy is forever tarnished. His wife is shamed and heartbroken. His kids are fatherless and angry.

I blame the selfish man, the selfish woman, and the wife who kept her head in the sand. Yes, his wife has some blame for her pain. An observant wife would have never gotten herself in this situation. An observant wife would have been sad that her EX-husband had been shot and killed.

I know they were married for 12 years. I know she had 4 sons to look after. I know they said vows and she should have been able to trust him. Reality check: Steve had had affairs before – and his wife should have known about them.

To all wives and girlfriends: You have to check up on your mate from time to time if for no other reason than AIDS. It’s out there, and if your man is having an ongoing relationship with another woman (or man), chances are he’s not always strapped and he’s coming home to YOU unstrapped, too. A little pro-active snooping will go a long way in avoiding STDs and embarrassment.

I trust my husband. So far, I have a good man who’s home every night and who loves the ground I walk on. BUT…who knows? A human is a human is a human. This is my body and I owe it to myself to snoop once a year to make sure he’s not doing something that I need to know about. The biggest lie ever handed to women is that if you look for something you will find it. The real truth is that if it’s not there, it absolutely cannot be found.

I can’t tell a wife or girlfriend not to accept her cheating man’s ways, but please arm yourself with the knowledge that he's cheating and then either insist he wraps it up with YOU or get out. It’s more important to save your life than to save face.

*Jumping off my soap box now*

The irony, Steve McNair filmed Suicide ad nine days before he was killed.

Click here to listen to the 911 tape

Eddie George says that Steve McNair was trying to fill a void after retirement.

Steve’s mistress' DUI video:

Now look at this: Lauren London, pregnant for Lil Wayne. Nivea, pregnant for Lil Wayne. And Wayne has the nerve to be the face of a condom ad.

I'm not at all feeling Nivea's pregancy frock, and doesn't she look perfectly crazy?

Poor Lauren. She looks like the dream has died... Or like $$$$$

Yup.

Beyonce - Sweet Dreams

2009-07-09T23:14:00.010-05:00

It’s no Single Ladies or Irreplaceable, but Beyonce’s Sweet Dreams is a catchy song and it could easily be a crossover hit. Beyonce sounds great as usual. The video? Eh. So-so. But guess what I just realized? Ya girl doesn’t have to step it up.

The Diva’s never really had any competition since Day 1. Ciara is dedicated, and she can dance, but can she do this? As far as overall entertainers go, (sans any non-singing/dancing performances), Beyonce is IT. I say this as a Stan and a realist. Still, it's difficult for a die hard, will defend-that-itch-til-the-end, fan like myself to accept that Beyonce just made three videos in a row where she’s only dancing with two other women...! I want more! Where are the dudes? The story lines? The action? The sets? The cameos?

Why hasn't Mrs. Knowles-Carter been giving it her all recently...? It’s like Beyonce finally realized that she really has been been that "#1 diva in this game for a minute" and she’s chillin until someone comes along to make her work hard for it again. Can you blame her? She can afford to sing Ava Maria at the BET Awards. Keri Hilson tried to bring it, but we know Beyonce would have stomped a hole in that song if she’d performed it. I'll bet we'll get better videos when Beyonce gets some real competition.

I can’t wait to see the girl who will finally go against Bey. Not because I want her to fail, but because I want to see some great entertainment. Hopefully her competition will hit the scene singing, dancing and acting. Who will she be???

Solange Defends Her Big Sis

I waver between love and raised eyebrows when it comes to Solange. Right now, after what she recently said on Twitter about Bey, it's all love.

Sick of people thinking I’m gonna be my sisters enemy.You are FAR out of line.Take your fake “love and healing “somewhere else. Next person who hits me with some negative energy about my sister is gonna get Fox news all over again.Ya hear!

Don’t try to love ME becuz u want 2 be the “anti Beyonce”.I am the “all for” Beyonce.Now kiss both of our Knowles asses if u don’t like it! Call me whatever u want to, but next time I say “yo momma….” don’t flinch. See how u feel. Now back to your regular scheduled programming. I’m back in the booth creating & she is somewhere shutting down a sold out show:) kisses…

Tell em how you feel girl.

Solange on Twitter

MJ Memorial Moments

2009-07-07T15:11:00.003-05:00

Very touching words from Daughter Paris.

Usher

Jennifer Hudson (I need a gospel CD from her!)

Mariah

More here

The Game Goes at Jay-Z

2009-07-07T14:17:00.006-05:00

This isn’t about Beef, This isn’t about Destiny
I’m in Madrid banging the C P T
You got a bad b---h, word,
Ain’t no p---y like hers,
Just ask the Mavericks, Rockets, and the Spurs
I mean… I mean my b---h don’t slang p---y like that…
My b---h swangs p---y on a n***a from the back
…So F*ck Jay-z, You old azz ni**a

The Game is just saying anything now. But well... hmmmm.....

Jay-Z's earlier freestyle: That’s how the game goes / I don’t owe nobody jack / Grown men want me to sit them on my lap / But I don’t have a beard / Santa Claus aint black.

History of Killers in South Carolina

2009-07-07T12:05:00.012-05:00

It seems that South Carolina is not new to spree and serial killers.

Patrick Tracy Burris
Before Tracy Burris began his spree killing in Gaffney, SC, that ended with 5 people from ages 15 - 83 murdered and Tracy dead via suicide by cop, there was Donald "Pee Wee" Gaskins and Lee Roy Martin.

Donald "Pee Wee" Gaskins, Florence, SC
Killing from 1969 - 1975

Donald Gaskins is the most prolific Serial Killer in South Carolina's history. From the age of 11, Donald and two deranged young friends of his burglarized homes and picked up prostitutes. They even sexually assaulted young boys. Then, later, Donald took it even further by making a "career" out of raping, torturing, and murdering whomever he saw fit: men, women, girls, boys, young, and old.

Was his childhood at fault? In his memoir, Final Truth, Donald says that he had a terribly abusive childhood, but others claim he had "tremendous love and attention when growing up". Who knows? The only thing we know for certain is that Donald Gaskins claimed to kill 181 people and a tenth of those bodies were proven. Read more here.

Lee Roy Martin aka The Gaffney Strangler , Gaffney, S.C.
Killing from 1967-1968

Martin, called the "Gaffney Strangler," was convicted of murdering four women and sentenced to life in prison. Read more here.

Drank...? Hmmm...

2009-07-06T20:40:00.002-05:00

I don't know whether to cry or sigh, so I'll guess I'll just buy.

India.Arie Runs Into Erykah Badu

2009-07-06T02:04:00.003-05:00

GET OVER them not looking or sounding like Erykah or India.Arie. Way funnier than it should be. LOL!

Chris Brown's Impromptu MJ Tribute

2009-07-05T20:48:00.005-05:00

Someone caught still cute as pie Chris Brown doing his own Michael Jackson tribute at Puff's White Party. TAKE THAT BET Awards! (Yet, if BET would have allowed CB to perform, we would have called it disrespectful/in poor taste.)

La La Sweating Out Her Hair...?

2009-07-05T13:37:00.004-05:00

I thought she was Puerto Rican...? This is totally unacceptable. Please click the picture to get the full effect.

People and Places: Giethoorn

2009-07-05T00:47:00.010-05:00

I couldn’t find much (anything) about the racial make up of Giethoorn, but I think that’s because it’s understood that everyone’s Dutch.

This little Dutch town in the Netherlands is so picturesque and lazy looking. Simply divine! I’d love to visit.

Giethoorn is called the Venice of the Netherlands because about 7.5 km of canals run through the little village. Some 50 little wooden bridges span the canals.

The 13th-century village has rivers and canals instead of streets. At rush hour, about the only traffic you'll encounter is villagers in push boats, taking their sheep out to pasture. Fanfare, a popular Dutch movie, was filmed here in 1958, and the town seems to have modeled itself to reflect the movie's vibrant, friendly spirit: the houses have massive gardens bursting with pink, yellow, and white tulips, and almost everyone sailing by calls out hello.

It was founded around 1230 when fugitives coming from the Mediterranian regions settled there. They found a lot of horns of wild goats there that had probably died in the big flood of St Elisabeth in 1170, and therefore they called the settlement Geytenhorn (horn of goats), later it became Geythorn and now it's called Giethoorn.

All traffic has to go over the water, and it is done in so-called "punters", they are 'whisper-boats' for they are driven by an electric motor, so they practically do not disturb the peace and quiet in this scenic little village. The canal is only about 1 meter deep.

POPULATION 2,500

The water’s brown, but I’m used to the Galveston beaches.

You're Not THAT Great...

2009-07-04T22:58:00.007-05:00

In times of doubt and uncertainty, many Americans turn to self-help books in search of encouragement, guidance and self-affirmation. The positive self-statements suggested in these books, such as "I am a lovable person" or "I will succeed," are designed to lift a person's low self-esteem and push them into positive action.

According to a recent study in Psychological Science, however, these statements can actually have the opposite effect.

Psychologists Joanne V. Wood and John W. Lee from the University of Waterloo, and W.Q. Elaine Perunovic from the University of New Brunswick, found that individuals with low self-esteem actually felt worse about themselves after repeating positive self-statements.

The researchers asked participants with low self-esteem and high self-esteem to repeat the self-help book phrase "I am a lovable person." The psychologists then measured the participants' moods and their momentary feelings about themselves. As it turned out, the individuals with low self-esteem felt worse after repeating the positive self-statement compared to another low self-esteem group who did not repeat the self-statement. The individuals with high self-esteem felt better after repeating the positive self-statement--but only slightly.

In a follow-up study, the psychologists allowed the participants to list negative self-thoughts along with positive self-thoughts. They found that, paradoxically, low self-esteem participants' moods fared better when they were allowed to have negative thoughts than when they were asked to focus exclusively on affirmative thoughts.

The psychologists suggested that, like overly positive praise, unreasonably positive self-statements, such as "I accept myself completely," can provoke contradictory thoughts in individuals with low self-esteem. Such negative thoughts can overwhelm the positive thoughts. And, if people are instructed to focus exclusively on positive thoughts, they may find negative thoughts to be especially discouraging.

As the authors concluded, "Repeating positive self-statements may benefit certain people [such as individuals with high self-esteem] but backfire for the very people who need them the most."

Source

Basically, if your self esteem is non-existent, you may need professional help before saying, "I'm the bomb."

Sarah Palin is a Drop Out

2009-07-04T22:41:00.010-05:00

Watch CBS Videos Online

All of that just to say “I quit”??

Her constituents, for one, wanted to know, especially in Juneau, where she has struggled to win over residents.

"I think she owes it to Alaskans to tell us why," said state Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, the son of Alaska's first governor, Bill Egan.

Egan, hosting a 50th anniversary statehood ceremony, said he was disappointed Palin decided not to finish out her term, which was scheduled to end in 2010.

"It's sad she abandoned us at this critical time," said Egan, who was appointed by Palin to an open seat on the last day of the legislative session in April, after a protracted battle with Senate Democrats.

Palin's departure can't come soon enough for Laurel Carlton, a waitress at the Capital Cafe in the Baranof Hotel, where the city's political movers and shakers meet every morning before walking a few blocks to the Capitol.

"I think she has a game plan that's not Alaska, and hasn't been for awhile," Carlton said.

She noted Palin has a book deal, and seems headed for the national stage.
"If you're really not going to stay and do your job every day, you should leave anyway, and so the sooner the better so somebody can step in and actually do the job," Carlton said.

And as far as Carlton is concerned, Palin doesn't need to explain why she's leaving.

"We don't care. We just want her gone," she said.

Why Do You Think she Quit?

A - Preparing to run for President in 2012? How stupid is that?
B - A scandal is about to drop like Johnny Gill at the club?
C - Pregnant?
D - Getting her own (lame) talk show?
E - Crazy White woman?

Cheaters

2009-07-04T22:17:00.007-05:00

I've been reading about South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford and all I can really do is shake my head.

The story goes that the married father of four was "missing" for a week (including Father's Day weekend), and when he resurfaced he tearfully held a press conference admitting that he'd been holed up in Argentina with his mistress all the while. She'd better be smoking hot like fire but I guess that's not the point.

I applauded his wife for not being by his side during his bible quoting Press Conference of Confession. Hadn't we seen enough of those pathetic-stand-by-your man women already? Jenny Sanford was a breath of fresh strong air. I appreciated the message she was sending to her husband and to all women in similar situations.

Sanford said she discovered her husband's affair early this year after coming across a copy of a letter to the mistress in one of his files in the official governor's mansion. He had asked her to find some financial information, she said, not an unusual request considering her heavy involvement in his career.

She would not comment on what was in the letter except to say "enough to figure out an affair was going on."

Maybe he sent her to discover the information because he wanted out of the marriage and didn't know how to tell her. He assumed, I'm sure, that his wife had a backbone and would tell him to get to stepping after finding intimate correspondence to his mistress. Instead, she said she was willing to work on the marriage.

The first lady said she confronted her husband immediately, and he agreed to end the affair. She said she wasn't sure Friday whether he had done so.

"I guess that's what we will have to see. I believe he has," she said. "But he was down there for five days. I saw him yesterday and he is not staying here. We'll just see what kind of spirit of reconciliation he has himself."

"When I found out in January, we both indicated a willingness to continue working on the marriage, but there's not room for three people in a marriage," she said. "I've done everything in my power possibly to keep him from going to see her and to really make sure she was off the table, including asking him to leave."

Then, he comes home and tells everyone that he was with his mistress, quotes bible verses, says that his mistress is his soul mate BUT he will try to fall back in love with his wife. And she's still willing to hope for some handout "spirit of reconcilliation" from him?

B.S.

Here's my thing, if you're married and discover that your spouse has stomped on those sacred vows I don't feel you owe him anything more. God gives us all a pass to move on called "adultery". Some women take that pass and some women reject that pass. No one is perfect and I can understand forgiving a remorseful spouse, but I can not understand the logic behind sticking with a man who repeatedly breaks those vows and publicly embarrasses his wife by declaring his mistress as his "soul mate". Dueces need to be chunked.

The governor said he met Chapur in Punta Del Este, Uruguay, in 2001 after his final term in Congress and before his first term as governor. He said the two struck up an e-mail correspondence after meeting on a dance floor — a chance encounter during which he counseled her into the night about her failing marriage.

For the next seven-plus years, Sanford said, the two exchanged messages, sometimes sporadically.

In early 2009, after Jenny Sanford discovered the affair, the couple went into counseling. She has told The Associated Press that he asked her several times to visit the mistress and she refused.

But the governor claims he wanted to end the affair in person and, with his wife's permission, went to New York with a "trusted spiritual adviser" serving as chaperon. The three went to church and dinner together and parted ways the same night.

But he visited Chapur again in Argentina on June 18, the trip that brought the whole affair to light.

More news from the Sanford camp. Jenny Sanford, wife of the love sick Gov. has just broken silence, for the first time since Gov. Sanford's AP interview in which he disclosed multiple "line crossing" affairs with other women, and referred to his Argentinian mistress as his "soul mate." In it, she acknowledges that his actions were inexcusable, but says she is willing to forgive him.

At this point, Jenny's marriage is no longer sacred and her husband has over stepped all the boundaries. Sure, we all deserve forgiveness, but let's not be foolish here. I say let him be with his soul mate (and any other woman who he might "cross the line with" again). This will only free Jenny up for her soulmate.

I wish women could understand that there is no strength in withstanding humiliation, suffering, and mistreatment in a relationship. Sure, we all go through normal ups and downs, but when the downs include such serious violations as ongoing affairs (be those affairs intimate or "just physical"), all bets are off. There's only strength in loving yourself enough to surround yourself with those who feel—and show—the same. Her husband never loved her enough, and really, since he's quoting bible verses, that's the ONE thing a husband is REQUIRED to do. And love is an action word.

Spike Lee & Al Sharpton Dancing for MJ

2009-07-04T21:26:00.005-05:00

Remember this picture of Al Sharpton and Friend that made you want to throw up? Well, here’s the footage behind that special moment:

Spike Lee & Al Sharpton Dancing

Posted to New York Magazine by jgreen on July 01, 2009

Click to Play View Details

This picture doesn’t come close to watching Spike Lee putting his backfield in motion*, does it?

Source

Source

*

New Music from Whitney Houston

2009-07-04T10:17:00.002-05:00

So what do you think about Whitney's new song "I Didn't Know My Own Strength"?

I'm absolutely not impressed. I need Whitney to come harder than this. Show me some VOCAL strength.

Erykah Badu and The Roots MJ Tribute

2009-07-03T03:00:00.004-05:00

Erykah Badu and The Roots recently paid tribute to Michael Jackson by singing "Where I Wanna Be" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Love it.