so, whose dick should be shot off?

I'm disgusted this early Tuesday morning to find that, indeed, Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds are engaged. Big ring and all. http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur35462.cfm
The reason why I'm disgusted is far-reaching. (A) Eddie cheated on his gorgeous wife, perhaps numerous times. Even recently, he made his seventh baby with ex-Spice Girl Melanie Brown, and still has not publicly fessed up to the fact that the baby girl is his. Who wants a man who cannot take care of his responsibilities and claim his children? Apparently, Tracey does. (B) Eddie just divorced his wife in April, barely a year ago, after a lengthy marriage. Tracey was married 13 years before her divorce from Babyface, which was finalized when? One month ago?! And they've been dating 10 months or so...? And this is gonna work because why...? (C) Eddie isn't making enough money to support 9 children! 6 "real," 1 "illegitimate," and 2 "steps." His last good movie was what...? And when...? And Shrek doesn't count!

Stars are funny. They claim that them and their partners were having marital "troubles" before the public knew about it. A divorce was "pending" anyway for months. Blah, blah, blah. And I definitely believe that this could be true, and that the public doesn't need to be all up in your business all the time. But now, we're really gonna bite into you because you look really stupid. Come on, Trace! You're too beautiful to be so dumb! What's wrong with just dating? You gotta plan another wedding, too, for the end of the year?

What's it called? "Serial monogamy?" Serial monogamy is characterized by a series of long-term, exclusive sexual relationships entered into consecutively over the lifespan. This behavior is a variant of monogamy, in which a given individual has only one sexual partner throughout life. This behavior is sometimes referred to as a form of, or replacement for, polygamy. However, this practice inherently excludes the practice of having multiple simultaneous sexual partners. Thanks, Wikipedia.

--> I predict that (A) they will break up before they get down the aisle, or (B) they'll be divorced within a year after their wedding. I can seriously bet on that with a straight face, and I'm not a gambler. You can do better, Tracey. This has got to be a dick thing. Eddie must be packing extraordinarily because it's pretty nasty and complicated.

"The news comes just days after Murphy denied suggestions that they were engaged, when Tracey was spotted with a diamond on her ring finger at an LA movie premiere. At that point, Murphy said: "No, this isn't an engagement ring. If I were gonna do an engagement ring, it would be much bigger." He asked Edmonds to marry him just two days later.

'Tracey and Eddie were engaged last Wednesday,' Edmonds' assistant told E! News. 'Tracey and Eddie are both very much in love and are excited about spending the rest of their lives together.' Representatives for Murphy, who is the father of Melanie Brown's baby Angel Iris Murphy Brown, have refused to comment on the story."

And I once was an Eddie Murphy fan.

well, i liked 'em.

This weekend, I rented two movies (ahem, box office bombs) that I hadn't seen before. They were different, yet resonated with me in very cool and intelligent ways.

The first movie was Premonition, starring Sandra Bullock. It was in the movie theaters a few months ago, and it didn't gross much, so it's now on DVD. If I had to rate it, I would give the movie 4 stars for psychological thriller-enthusiasts like myself; 5 stars for weirdos; and 3.5 for the intelligencia. What I liked was that the plot was intricately planned, and that the movie was intentionally set to throw you off and confuse the hell out of you. I had to honestly watch the special features on creating the film to understand what was going on and why. Without giving away too much of the plot, I'll simply compare it to those time-warped, suspenseful movies like The Sixth Sense with Bruce Willis and Deja Vu with Denzel Washington. It fits right into it's genre, and is pretty good--if you can get through the sometimes sappy love and family scenes. The only down side is that I'm still somewhat confused about it. Maybe I'm just being slow. And that's not surprising.

The second movie was Spike Lee's She Hate Me. I'm not sure when it came out, but talk about your freaky sense gone wild! If you have never heard of it, the movie circles this professional black man who gets involved with some wealthy lesbians in a way-less-than-conventional way. That's the most I can say without giving the movie away! I'd rate it as a 5 for the intelligencia; 5 for the freaks; and a 2 for conservatives. There's a lot of sex, but Spike makes a big splash with his larger-than-life messages on stuff that just sucks in society. I understood that he was speaking on the black family structure; homosexual and heterosexual love; casual sex and human conception; corruption in big time businesses; institutionalized racism...shoot, I guess I'm smart, but it's apparent. It was good, though. J and I laughed a lot through it because Spike Lee is a crazy genius. Him and his camera angles and whatnot. I found myself asking if it could really happen, but I was nonetheless enthralled and thrilled. I recommend it, except if you're thoroughly close-minded. Or work at Enron.

eight incredibly random things about me

1. “Red juice" gives me a hangover. Or should I say, strawberry, cherry, raspberry, fruit punch, or any flavor consisting of a mix of these. That includes Kool-aid, Fruitopia, or any other beverage of a reddish consistency. Upon ingestion, I get really hyper and will laugh at anything. A few hours later, I crash and develop a headache. Crazy, right? But it’s true, I tell you!

2. My favorite author and I share the same birthday. Tayari Jones/November 30. I also share my birthday with my boyfriend’s oldest nephew and a god-sister.

3. I am the oldest daughter, the oldest granddaughter, and the oldest great-granddaughter on my mother’s father’s side and my mother’s mother’s side. It isn’t always being the oldest and having to go through things “first.” You gotta break the parents in. You become the role model. You get in trouble first. It’s so much pressure! Oldest kids can attest to this!

4. I have a long list of rational and irrational fears. They include (not necessarily in order) death, flying, squirrels, “broken” elevators, big ole’ hairy spiders, lightning, fire, drowning, birds, demons, high bridges, "what if" factors, crazy homeless people, black ice, Bloody Mary, my brakes giving out, the unknown, and the fact that the earth is warming up with me on it.

5. I was fired from my very first job. I worked at a Cinemark movie theater for a year, almost to the day. I moved from the concession stand to the box office after about six months and a 15 cent raise, which I thought was great at 16. (Ha!) Obviously, I wasn’t good because I kept getting written up for a short drawer. (I now know that I kept giving cash refunds to credit card customers. A Big No-No. But, it was something they didn’t teach me coming from the concession stand, where all I had to worry about was cup and popcorn refills.) One day, I went into the break room, and I had no hours on the schedule. (Me and about three other people, I might add.) They called me in and, sure enough, I was let go for too many write-ups. It was gay because I never did receive my one-year pin. I boo-hooed something terrible that day. A month later, I moved to Atlanta to go to Spelman. Bitches.

6. I prefer “older” music over all this new mess. In my 200+ cd collection, I have plenty of Luther, Teddy P, Donny Hathaway, Silk, Brownstone, Mariah (when “Carey” was still on the end), SWV, Toni Braxton, Boyz II Men, and Jodeci, just to name a few. I loooove 80's and 90’s music! I can't forget to mention Gloria Gaynor, Heatwave, The Average White Band, The Art of Noise...shoooot! I’d pop in a Zhane or Jade album in a second over some Beyonce and Keyshia Cole! I must add that I graduated from high school in 2002 and from college last May. People don’t realize how “young” I am. I guess I just have an older spirit!

7. My mother is 16 years, 4 months, and 9 days older than me. You do the math!

8. Lastly, I believe I’ve found my soulmate. My Johnny is exactly like me, yet so different from me. I hope he’s the one. Only God knows. We’re so happy with one another’s company, and we’re best friends. It’s been a consistent and drama-free two and a half years, so we’ll see. We'll see.

my first "what the hell happened?" posting

Declaration: I'm going to christen Fridays as "What the Hell Happened?" days. By the time Friday rolls around, I'm tired as all heck from doing nothing during the week. Well, I work out 6 days a week, but while at work, I sit and rot, or spin around in my chair for hours at a time. So, today marks a new tradition to keep my Friday as upbeat and as happy as it is. "What the Hell Happened?" features celebs at their worst. Whether they have let themselves go for life, or are just having a bad time right now, I will find that photo and post it! Gotcha! Just call me the pappa--paparat--well, dammit, I can't spell it! Just say I got your picture!! And I have a B.A. in English...sad. Let's have a good laugh, and Happy Friday!!

I was listening to V103 this morning, and the "old school" song of the day was Tevin Campbell's Can We Talk? I hadn't seen a picture of him in years. And I'm appalled. I used to love him, but now he's just gross. It's sad what drugs and an alternative lifestyle can do to you. I'm gonna leave it at that...

So, Brit's at it again. She's walking around, just looking like she done lost her damn mind. I said it before, and I'm gonna say it again. She needs to toughen up. You're a mother, for God's sake! Black women have been doing it for generations. Ooo! Don't get me started! Just stop it, Britney! You look dumb as all hell!

Now we know George always had rainbow extensions. But this mugshot shows that he needs to comb or perm them suckas. Even if it is a muggie. And is he high, or what? Bless his heart. Jesus, help us all.

Glllooooorrrriiiiiiaaaaaa...

robert better play like snoopy here...

It's Thursday and I feel like this already.

Sit, Snoopy! Stay! Good boy! Now play dead! Play dead, Snoops! Snoopy? Umm...Snoopy?

So, who hasn't heard the remix to R. Kelly's Same Girl? I am appalled at the craziness that goes on within those four minutes. If you haven't heard it, please do so. He goes from a remixy sound with T-Pain whining in the background, to a "snap song," to something reminiscing of what Robert thinks is Michael Jackson. I give it 1/2 a star and a recommendation to be demolished, burnt, and buried asap!

Like my J pointed out last night, Robert is getting ready to go to trial. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/illinois/chi-ap-il-r.kellyaccusation,0,7488860.story It's about time. So another R. Kelly gospel album will be released soon...I Believe I Can Fly (Out of This Here Court) and He Saved Me Again will probably be featured tracks.

If Robert goes to jail, he'd better play like Snoopy here. They gon' be after him!

vicky is now ironically fighting the government dog

Michael Vick, Michael Vick. Since I hail from Portsmouth, Virginia, some small distance from the "Birthplace of the Vick," and live in Atlanta, Georgia, some small distance from the "Field of the Vick," I feel particularly close to this whole dog-fighting case. However, I'm not sure what to make of it. I don't condone breeding already-aggressive puppies to fight almost until one loses a limb or ear or something. That is so sad, and those dogs don't know any better. I started out as an Atlanta Falcons fan when I first moved down here. (Living with a die-hard Chicago fan has altered that...) But with Vick being banned from camp and, presumably, more punishment will come with that indictment, I think that rooting for Atlanta this year may be a bit difficult. It's crazy how one man can carry a team, but look at Lebron. (Who I like, I liiike!) With the possibility of Vick being out for the upcoming season until this case blows over, I may just have to completely hang up the black and red. It'll make nice decoration.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7052768?MSNHPHMA Dammit, black man! We can't get it right, can we?!

I remember listening to Ryan Cameron last Thursday or Friday afternoon, and listeners were calling in with their opinions on the entire dog-fighting issue. This one woman called in, and I swear, she probably got on the bad side of Ryan, Ryan's staff, and most listeners tuning in. This woman claims she works at a vet's office, but sees nothing wrong with dog-fighting. She actually stated, "As long as it's done properly, I don't see nothing wrong with it." Properly. As in, "Dogs, get into the ring and let's have a good, fair, clean fight?" Unt uh. Not happening. This woman has personally seen what fighting dogs look like once the fight is over, and was adamant about it being too okay. She started going on and on about some law in the 1970's and something. I cringed and turned on my cd player.

Then I thought about it. Somebody should have gotten her name because she was definitely into dog-fighting. No doubt. I'd be the "snitch" if I got paid for it!

Dog-fighting. I'm not a part of those crazy-ass "People Eating Tasty Animals" folks, but it is still a sad, sad thing. Especially for us black folk. It's funny, though. Michael Vick is now the dog, having to fight his way against the pitbull government, the NFL, practically all other folks out to get him. I guess he hopes that having that big dog, Billy whatnot, will help defend him. That lawyer helped Monica Lewinsky. Hm. But where is she now? Hmm...will Vick disappear, too?...We shall see.

In other news, Go Bears!

i did the souljah boy behind my eyelids all weekend...

What I missed in Atlanta this past weekend...Yes, I live in Atlanta, but I find that doing the "touristy" things are a bit mundane and overpopulated. People don't understand why I'm not constantly catching the celebrities and such that jet-sail through the city all the time. (A) I live in Vinings, some good 20 miles from downtown Atlanta. (B) Have you seen downtown Atlanta traffic on any given weekend night? But I must admit that, had I the money, I would have been sitting on Marietta Road by Philips Arena in all that traffic this past Friday to see that Beyonce concert. I swear for Lord! It was enough just trying to make it to my boyfriend at 4 p.m. downtown when he got off of work! But tickets were $75 bucks just for the rafter seats, plus fees and taxes, and I was thinking, "Hm. Beyonce, or rent?" Being a big fan that I am, I can't help but feel that I missed out big-time, especially when I visited Juiicy Scoop's wonderful blog page that featured Beyonce doing the outrageously dumb Souljah Boy dance. Man. [shaking head] That would have been the perfect blog entry!

Instead, I were unconscious from womanly pains for 12 hours on Saturday and 4 hours on Sunday. I mean, I was drunk sleep. I would lay up on the sofabed in the living room that J and I pull out occasionally when we don't feel like sleeping in the actual bed (lazy, I know), and 1 second later, J is waking me up. I was sleep for hours and didn't even know I was gone! All slobberific and stuff. But I do feel well-rested this Monday morning. Amazingly.

I'm not sure if I can say I had a great weekend or not. But I'm planning for this coming weekend. The Simpsons! Yeaa! Makes the work-week go faster. Makes me do the Souljah Boy. Weeee. Superman...that hoe?

facebook versus myspace

This article actually talks about a certain woman's Myspace blog that sums up why kids under 18 are leaving Myspace at a fast rate. I have both Facebook and Myspace accounts and find them equally advantageous to my individuality and desire to write. I don't have a preference for one over the other (even though Facebook has really come up in the past few months. I may slightly prefer Facebook only because I have a bookshelf on my page, but I love my Myspace background contact table.) This is interesting and what I'm guessing the first of many of this sort of study on popular culture...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19735915/wid/11915829/

i think oprah is on drugs

Poor Gracie. I do sympathize with the lost of a pet. Rest in peace, Kibbles Boone. But when the owner says something like, "She lived each day as if it were her last," and she happens to be a dog, I get scared that the owner is on drugs. "Oprah: Billionaire and Dog-Whisperer." --Ryan Cameron

http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=269261

the flashers

I'm trying my hand at "flash fiction." Very, very short short-stories. Pretty much.
Here are some of the best, shortest stories I've read, taken from the Wired website: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/sixwords.html.

Dorothy: "Fuck it, I'll stay here." -Steven Meretzky
He read his obituary with confusion. -Steven Meretzky
There were only six words left. -Gregory Maguire
I saw, darling, but do lie. -Orson Scott Card
Dinosaurs return. Want their oil back. -David Brin
Bush told the truth. Hell froze. -William Gibson
Rapture postponed. Ark demanded! Which one?-David Brin
Three to Iraq. One came back. -Graeme Gibson
Heaven falls. Details at eleven. -Robert Jordan
Batman Sues Batsignal: Demands Trademark Royalties. -Cory Doctorow
Epitaph: He shouldn't have fed it. -Brian Herbert
K.I.A. Baghdad, Aged 18-Closed Casket -Richard K. Morgan
TIME MACHINE REACHES FUTURE!!! … nobody there … -Harry Harrison
Kirby had never eaten toes before. -Kevin Smith
Lie detector eyeglasses perfected: Civilization collapses. -Richard Powers
The baby’s blood type? Human, mostly. -Orson Scott Card
His penis snapped off; he’s pregnant! -Rudy Rucker
Longed for him. Got him. Shit. -Margaret Atwood
Computer, did we bring batteries? Computer? -Eileen Gunn

dancing drivers unite!

So maybe some people are natural born haters. You can't do it like me! Maybe they think I'm a lunatic. Should they be afraid? No sir. Maybe they don't like my car. Or my bass exuding from my windows. All I know is, I'm tired of people staring at me when I'm dancing and driving in my car! Everyone morning, I crank on my Beyonce "Green Light" song or something similar that makes me drive fast and dance hard. And I think I scared one too many folks in traffic this morning. [Ahem. White people.] They act like they don't play the drums on the steering wheel! Traffic goes a lot faster when you've got good tunes on. Coming from someone who used to sit in one-hour traffic, inching to school every Monday and Thursday afternoon. And I can't help it if my hips like the beat. I shall not back down! Dancing Drivers Unite! Everybody else, smoke your cigarette, and stay in your own car! Undo that mood!

And another thing: All you "older" men who think whistling or saying, "Sang gurl!" or something in my open window is going to induce a reaction, try again. I turn up my music louder and take off when that light turns green, still dancing. You shall not enter my bubble. Perv.

stop choking the damn chicken!

I never came up with anything to do this weekend. But J did cook some great dinners, so I really can't complain. Besides, didn't I say I was broke?

This morning, once at work, I started doing my flip-through-MSN daily morning ritual. I read the story about Sprint dropping 1,000 customers and skimmed the accompanying message board with MSN readers sounding off about their worst customer service experiences. I got to thinking once I read my email and saw that, again, someone responded to the listserv. The "listserv" is a database Kennesaw State has set up through which professors can send massive emails out about job or internship opportunities, new classes, speakers coming to campus, etc. etc. When someone just hits "reply" to the listserv, they send a message to everyone's mailbox, including my own precious one. Sometimes, I just don't want to hear two people rant on and on about what they think, and they either know or don't know everyone is all up in their business.

But the young lady who responded to the listserv actually had something bright to say. There was a message containing the latest open teaching position at one of the nearby community colleges. The young lady followed the email with her own experience with trying to seize the job. She gave her extensive qualifications and told everyone that she received a "terse letter" from the hiring individual that the young lady was "not qualified." In my mind, she was probably overqualified, or the hiring person was threatened by her achievements at a young age. Hating will get you nowhere, because now everyone knows, and we may not even apply for that individual's position. No one wants to work with a "terse" person.

But I was coming to this: How far does "Freedom of Speech" go? We have the technological chicken coop at our fingertips, and people use it to the point of choking the damn chicken. Everyone always has to "respond back" and say what they feel. On this customer service message board, there were actual individuals who defended what other consumers feel is "bad" customer service, only because the person works in customer service! Why not keep your comments to yourself because no one asked you? I guess people think they're "helping" when they give their own 3-page testimony to the same question. We don't need your two cents (or 5, in most cases). Even on YouTube last night, I read some people cussing each other out about the "P.I.M.P." old 50 Cent song: about what a "pimp" is and how ignorant people are, and no, I'm not ignorant you bitch, and you can't even spell, and all this stuff! I'm like, people, get a grip!

So how far is this amendment really going? Frankly, I suggest we put a cap on some stuff. I just want the peace of mind to read something without 53 replies under it! Can't a sistah just watch a YouTube video without the following commentary?!

saturday night...

...And I still need an idea for entertainment this weekend. [pondering away]

old friday customs i miss

On this Friday the 13th, I wanted to honor my childhood by doing "Old Friday Customs I Miss."

1. Believing in Friday the 13th. Everyone at school used to squeal when someone walked near a ladder and, God forbid, someone see a black cat. Gothic kids used to wear black. We thought Freddy was gonna walk into the classroom, and everyone was on pins and needles, anticipating the Grim Reaper. We were relieved on Saturday at midnight!

2. TGIF...Family Matters, Step By Step...8 o'clock on Friday was the absolute time that I had to be in front of the television. I recall those much-loved episodes of Steve as "Stefan," and the family went to Disney World. I was too jealous! And I remember how I wanted to ride the roller coaster from the beginning of Step By Step, even though I'm scared of roller coasters. I don't the other shows because I had a 9 o'clock bedtime!

3. Friday night dates...Going to the mall and the movies was the thing to do on a Friday night! Even when we were 16 and trying to sneak into an "R" rated movie! And actually, in middle school, it was roller skating. Nowadays, I'm too tired on Friday from the week to do anything, or I'm doing laundry or cleaning the house!

4. Just getting out of school for the weekend. The excitement was unbearable...the final bell would ring and I would race to my locker and out to the bus (or my car). As soon as I would get home, I'd call my friends and we would ride our bikes to each other's houses. It seems like, back then, I "worked" a lot more than I do now!

5. Getting to eat out with my family: I can remember almost every Friday being able to get Mickey D's, Pizza Hut, or Wendy's with the family. I sure do miss that free food! [sigh]


All of this to say: I'm broke! And it ain't a joke! I take money orders, checks, cash, jewelry, and titles! Naw, but I need an idea for entertainment this weekend...hmm...

willie and felecia belong together, all in the name of my focus, man

I never did get to watch that singing show that I had discussed yesterday. Why? Because I was coming down from a major stress attack!

Yesterday afternoon, I leave the office for my pilgrimmage to my boyfriend's job in downtown Atlanta to pick him up and head on home. I'm rolling along in the 5-minute-thunderstorm-of-the-moment, and suddenly, my windshield wipers start going mad slow. Like, I sat at a light and watched the wipers go back and forth, as if hypnotized, about four times. I was thinking, "Wait a minute, am I dreaming this?" Then, my much-loved, brand-new Kelly Rowland cd starts skipping. Or so I thought. I try to turn on the radio, and the whole system just goes off. I'm nearly panicking at this point, and I started putting my foot on the brake to slow down. Then this freakin' light that looks like a person getting beat in the head with an airbag pops up, and I'm thinking, "Oh shit, my car is transforming with me in it!" I stop at the next light, turn on my blinkers, put the car in park, and turn the car off. Poor guys behind me, but oh well. My car wouldn't turn back on after that.

To make a longer story short, I sat for an hour and a half at a firehouse right across from where I stopped after the firefighters came out and pushed my little Focus out of rush hour traffic's way. [I just knew I was gon' die sitting around a corner with my car in park, with trucks coming up on me at 45 mph, and barely getting around me like they didn't know I was sitting there. I think the only reason why the firefighters came out was because they had a call and the firetruck couldn't get around me!] There was an actual fire at my boyfriend's job and he couldn't get away, so he sent his good friend to try to jump me. I was jumped.

I managed to get to J's job when the car died again. Dammit, man! We had to pay $67 bucks to tow it to Firestone by Willie, the man with one good eye and an aggressive driving problem. We got to Firestone 30 minutes before closing time, and they tell me that I would need to replace my battery ($109) and my altenator ($$470!!). Can you believe that?! Oh, and tomorrow. "We don't have the part here in this location. Can I order it for the morning for you?" J and I stared at each other, trying to mentally telepath how in the hell we were going to get home without a car. I considered teleporting. J didn't think it was funny.

We called Felecia, the Checker Cab lady with a crazy fixation on talking 'til your ears bled. We got down the street from the house when I had an epiphany. "Um, babe?" I said to my boyfriend, tentatively, since he was already steamed about having to give up tow money and cab money. "You have the house keys?" We got all the way home with the house keys up in Firestone attached to the car keys. J kept doing this psychotic, lunatic laughing, which freaked me out a little bit. I kept doing comical, cartoon gulps.

$25 bucks later and 1 rainshower, we managed to catch J's good friend (who had jumped me earlier in the day) and he caught the Firestone guys right before they locked up, got the keys for us, and brought them out to the house. Talk about a dedicated friend. I think I'll bake him some brownies or something, since he refused to take a monetary thanks.

We finally got to relax some 4 hours after my ordeal began. And I just knew this adventure was one for the books. Or for the blog.

The moral of the story? Shit, there isn't one. Keep your friends close, and your car's altenator even closer.

And don't be thinking I could afford that damn thing. I'm still pissed about that $500 bucks...especially after J and I took those old ladies hostage and made them withdraw all their savings at Wachovia last night, and I broke a nail. Just kidding. Kinda.

Good credit, people!! Just take the joke!! Or look for us on the national news...

nbc and fox must really be beefing

Last night, I was watching Family Guy, and this commercial for a new show pops up. "Don't Forget the Lyrics," hosted by Wayne Brady, is a karaoke-style competition in which people sing to a live band with the words projected on the screen. Then, the music stops, the words disappear, and the singer must continue the song, fill in the blank, or what have you. They must sing 9 songs correctly, and get the tenth #1 hit correctly, to win $1 million bucks. Of course, the singer has the option to bail out and take the money they collected before the going gets tough. I was thinking, "Ok, cool, that might be fun to watch." It premieres July 11 at 9:30 on Fox.

Then I get to work this morning and go to my standard MSN screen. At the bottom, what do I see? Joey Fatone in the new karaoke-style competition show, "The Singing Bee." Premiering tonight at 9:30 on NBC.

Um, huh? I'm confused. Is this not the same show, on two different channels, with two different names?

What is Fox and NBC beefing about? The only real difference I can see in the shows, according to the respective network websites, is that "The Singing Bee" features popular music, whereas "Don't Forget the Lyrics" covers all decades and genres of music.

So, who thought of the show first? Here's my good guess:

"American Idol" lives at Fox, right? Now that the crazy-ranking show has gone off, Fox has to keep the viewers tuned in by using alternative methods. In the meantime, NBC has this great show idea to feature real singers involved in one of America's great drunken pastimes. So, Fox goes, "That sounds like a great plan," and concocts a highly similar blueprint for a new show. But Fox shoots for a wider audience and picks a comic who guest starred frequently on one of Comedy Central's biggest television hits ever. [And ya'll know who I'm talking about...WHAT!] That was mighty smart of them. Good going, Fox, you jerks.

Yes, Joey Fatone was the runner-up on this year's "Dancing With the Stars." But, really, how many people actually watched that show? And how many people [across racial, gender, and class lines, mind you] liked N-Sync? But NBC beat Fox out by 1 day to air the show first, and to be the first with the what-I'm-guessing-to-be really good ratings. Fox will be seen as just "copycats."

So, which show will I watch?

And, what is this? Some sort of new "wave" of reality television? As if we don't have enough "talent" shows on tv now?

Very original and creative, guys. I guess I'll have to watch both. Or neither.

my new fear, stemming from the charm school reunion show

So, nothing came for me on Saturday, 07/07/07. But that's ok. J and I had a wonderful Fourth, and this past weekend was pretty stellar, too. I guess I received a "divine week" versus just one divine day. And that makes me more blessed than you! Ha! Yes, you! Kidding...sort of.

Of course I watched the Charm School reunion show last night, and I must sound off on it. First off, it was a lot classier than the I Love New York and Flavor of Love/Flavor of Love 2 reunion shows, primarily because Mrs. Mo'Nique was there to referee the girls. I could appreciate that.

It was funny when Brooke declared that she sucked on the glass sculpture and got drunk off that "dark liquor" and booty humped most of the guys at the party because, simply, she's a "flirtatious bright-eyed blonde." Her words! Basically, Brooke said white girls party. Black girls don't. At least, not in that wild way. Plain and simple. And, Hell Yeah, she's right! We have much more important things to worry about. Like our good weave getting sweated out. Who's picking up lil' man from preschool. Finding a worthy man who doesn't want us for our titties and ass. AND CATCHING AIDS!! Brooke's such an ass.

And Schatar's an ass, too. Trying to sound British because she's a "direct descendent of royalty." What a crock of poopy. At least she cut off all that crazy weave.

But the funniest occurence had to be the Shay vs. Larissa argument, and Larissa's stepping to Mo. Larissa's little immature butt got all up in Mo'Nique's face, and of course Mo lit into her like a firecracker. But the sad part was damn Larissa's momma. Here she comes up to the stage to "protect" her waste of a daughter, and tries to step to Mo'Nique.

I must say these two words again: Larissa's momma. She was out of control, but Mo managed to calm her down with incredible persuasive skills. Larissa's momma ought to be ashamed of Larissa's anger issues and her refusal to grow up and take responsibility for herself. But naw. It was very easy to see where Larissa got her attitude because her momma was the same way! It was sad that Mo had to sit and verbally "mother" Larissa, obviously better than Larissa's mom has done during Larissa's 22 years of living!

I want to say that this show taught me that my daughter will be taught to absolutely not be willing to shake her ass in front of a man's face to get attention. She will be a strong, wonderful woman like her mother. That she will not bully, cuss like a sailor, or be mini-New York. I want to say this show really gave me a look at the failure of some black mothers' rearing their girls in America. That my people really need to wake up and see that television is raising our black children. And to vow that my children will not be raised by BET and VH1.

I want to say all that, but I'll say this.

I am officially scared of attitudinal, wild, frizzy-red-haired, albino mommas. All because of this episode.

breathing, happy, in love, loved, walking, and talking

So, my Fourth of July went off wonderfully, drama-free and fun-filled. I saw a great movie, and watched about 20 different fireworks shows off the roof of a building in downtown Atlanta. It was a big improvement from last year's sudden hurricane, in which J and I raced for our lives from Centennial Park to our car some 10+ blocks away in 30+ mph wind and flying rain! Yes, I lived to tell the story. It was...an experience. [sob] Let me get it together. Turn that camera away...

Ok, I'm back! I forgot to tell my blog readers that I didn't get the job with Delta. Yeah, I was freaking "overqualified." That just reinforces my point: I have a Bachelor's degree, yet can't find a decent job that's not already taken. I'm overqualified for retail positions, or nearly anything paying under $10.00 an hour. Yet, I'm underqualified for any other position above my head, and won't be able to find those jobs until I complete my Master's. I'm stuck here. I'm guessing God is trying to show me something. If I wasn't allowed an "out" right now, I'm not listening to Him, or I'm not learning the lesson He's trying to teach. So, Father God, I'm alert. What's going on?

My focus right now lies in paying for my last class at Kennesaw. My tuition is due in a week, and I'm strapped. Well, not nearly. But my brain tells me I am because I can't spend the money on something I "want." Is that wrong? I can be such an ass sometimes. Lord, forgive me.

I'm still here! Breathing, happy, in love, loved, walking, and talking. But I do have one question.

What's in store for my life on 07/07/07? The divine day.

Yes, I'm believing in the hype!!!
I'll keep you all posted.

Get it? "Posted." Ha ha! ha...Um...

yeah.

go see "transformers"

Hello, and Happy Post-Fourth! One word: "Transformers." The movie was all that, and Bill Gates' paycheck. I highly recommend it for all colors, ages, and spaces.

And that's all I have to say about that.

http://movies.msn.com/movies/article.aspx?news=268169>1=7701&mpc=1

a reason, a season, or a lifetime

In light of the end of the semester, when everyone is graduating and moving on, or even separating for a few months until the school year starts again...or if you've lost someone recently, like I have...this is something we should remember for those whom we may "never see again..."

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

the spice girls will turn into vampire peacocks on their reunion tour

Good morning, July! Oh, it's the second. Never mind.

So, the Spice Girls have decided to do a reunion tour. Um...why? Are they really "girls?" They have seven children between them. Ew. I wish my momma would tell me she's doing a reunion tour of a girl-power-generation-bubble-gum-pop group that's waaaay beyond its time. And they have fluffy names...Ginger Spice, Sporty Spice, Baby--come on! Stop the madness!!

This just in: I read yesterday on MSN that a man attacked a peacock in the parking lot of a New York Burger King because he said the bird was "a vampire." Can you say, cuckoo? Really, nut balls? A real vampire? I thought they became bats when they weren't in their human form? So what do I know?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19534938/?GT1=10056

The moral of this posting is: Read the title.

No, really.