Quotable

Just some tidbits I heard that made me struggle not to laugh at the wrong time...

"You can have a GED, PhD, and any of them other alphabets!"
-Someone at church who was trying to express how little he cared about certain "status" markers


"My father is a veteran who served his country, and he never received his benefits..but he still has his insanity, thank Jehovah God."
-I know what you really meant, baby girl...

"When my mother was alive, she took care of my father. This new wife he got won't even fold up his socks."
-Dang, that's tough Paw-Paw

"When is she gon call me back? Is she gon call me back today?" - A lady asked me this when I told her the person she was calling for was not in the office
"M'am, I'm not sure when she'll be back in, but she will certainly follow up with you when she returns." - My answer to this dumb question.
"Oh, you not sure? See, that's what's wrong with the city of Detroit, nobody ever sure. Nobody dont know nothing. Nobody ever in the office when you need em. We don't need this mess in the city, we need somebody who gon care about the citizens." - Whoooaa, mama! I didn't think it called for all that, but I guess she's not a fan of uncertainty...

Excuses

Excuses are the tools of the incompetent, which build monuments of nothingness. And those who dwell upon them seldom amount to anything more.

...or something like that. My high school English teacher used to say this almost daily, and for some reason, a friend of mine dropped this quote in conversation last week...and it's recently been reinforced in other ways, as well.

I've just come to the realization that people who use excuses weren't going to do whatever activity they are excusing themselves from anyway - they just needed a way to rationalize their lack of intent. I'm from the school of "Get it done, by any means necessary," and it has everything to do with the way I've been raised. I could get 5 A's and two B's, and no matter how I tried to explain the B's, moms and pops didn't understand anything less than perfection. If you have ever had a conversation with my mom, you know what I'm talking about. She's about taking care of business, and when she has something she wants to accomplish, if one person says No, she keeps going until she gets a Yes. It's only logical that I've come to internalize such standards.

This is not to say I've never made excuses - not at all. I just noticed that ppl who hand you excuses really only do so to make themselves feel better...the rest of us still see it as BS, in case you didn't know.

For example, ppl who say, "Oh no, I can't go to that church, they be in there all day, they stay too late for me." OK, but I see your FB photos all in the club every week...and you know, it's pretty late when you go TO the club; much more so when you leave. But I guess...

OR how about: "I don't like the way they talk to me when I go there." If that's the case, then don't go to work, don't go to college and don't even go to McDonald's - because bosses, professors, fast food ppl and anyone with an iota of authority will exercise their option to talk crazy at will. But only in the case of church (for example) is this a strong enuf deterrent, right? OK....

OR: "They talk about me." How do you know? You don't go anyway. Did you know perfect strangers talk about you at the mall, on the street, in the parking lot at work and anywhere else? If being talked about is such a concern, you should never leave your house, lol.

Bottom line is, you just weren't going to do it anyway. You don't have to make excuses. We all have things we just don't want to do...you don't owe anyone an explanation, but if you decide to give one, just remember, "Excuses are the tools of the incompetent."

(AND NO, for all my hypersensitive readers, this isn't directed at any particular person. It's only directed at whomever it applies to...as with all things.)

This Was Minor,

But I guess you should be thankful for all blessings, big or small.

Yesterday, I was unreasonably broke. I decided to catch the bus home from work in order to preserve the little gas in my vehicle, and while I was at the bus stop this dude walked up and asked for a dollar so he could get on the bus. He said he only had .50 cents. Well, he was kinda young, so you know he didn't start off begging; he eased his way into it. ("Did the Woodward bus come yet?)

I said, "Baby boy, how was you gon ride the bus with .50 cents? what kinda bus was you gon ride?"...but I gave him the dollar, for some reason. This man shook my hand and said, "Thank you, auntie." Idk how I felt about that.

Anyway, when my bus came and I got on, I guess I lucked up on a friendly bus driver. My lil wrinkled dollar wouldn't slide in the machine, and I said, "Why it dont want my dolla?" (Yes, I'm sorry, I did actually say that.)
He said, "Cuz it's raggedy as hell. Go'n and sit down girl."
SO anyway, long story short, I gave a dollar away and wound up getting to save the dollar I had. Praise Him!

And We Won't Stop...

Or maybe we will.
It was just announced that Diddy has signed a new deal with Universal Music Group's Interscope division. BUT the Bad Boy roster and label will remain with Warner Music Group.

This Dirty Money "Last Train to Paris" album will be released by Interscope/Bad Boy, whenever they get around to it, but moving forward, Interscope will handle all Diddy's future ventures - including a NEW label.

I don't even know who's still on Bad Boy, but I'll miss Diddy's ad libs and his reppin' "Bad Boy forever." We knew the Shiny Suit Era had ended, but this move officially put the nail in the coffin.

I mean, I guess Bad Boy will still exist...but Sean Combs won't be the face of it anymore, so we'll see what happens with that.

Let's pour some out for all the Bad Boy artists (who were wronged by Sean Combs):

(Minister) Ma$e (hahhaha...how u get clowned by Tony Yayo?...and the late Pimp C)
Loon (who is strate-up down for Bin Laden right now)
Faith Evans (crack kills, but she survived. Physically, not career-wise)
112 (If they came back right now, they'd hit No. 1...but yall had to make it a 112 vs Jagged Edge battle every dang time, when 112 was clearly superior.)
Black Rob (Whoa! is right...where tha hell u at, my dude?)
Shyne (We won't even go here)
Carl Thomas (who left us with a string of hits, only to disappear into the abyss. Had grown men singin they're "Emotional"- and feelin that ish)
Da Band (Dy-lan spit hot fire...and Sarah gettin choked up by her raggedy mans)

AND EVEN

Mary J Blige (who recently admitted that she was supposed to be the First Lady of Bad Boy, and she was bitter about Faith takin that spot for a minute)

....Who am I forgetting, yall?

I Can Do Bad All by Myself

If you haven't guessed it by now, I am ride or die for Tyler Perry. And Taraji P. Henson. I was dying to see "I Can Do Bad All by Myself," and I'll be honest, I didn't even have high expectations. I just wanted to support black folk making major motion pictures with nation-wide distribution. (Even though I don't want to see "Precious," but that's another story.)

A number of ppl disliked the movie for a number of reasons. They can list many issues, and here are just a few:

1. Why was the little girl's attitude so bad? It didn't have to be that bad. Why didn't she even say thank you when Sandino bought her brother's medical supplies?
2. Why did Sandino just sit there and let that man go off on him without saying a word? If he wasn't even Mexcian, why did he let that fool call him "Mexico"?
3. When does April's man work if he's at her house all day and night?
4. Why do April and Sandino leave their wedding to jump on a stage and attend a Tanya concert? Why was Tanya's song about you can't keep a good woman down, at a moment when she just got married? Why wasn't the song about them, and their love?
5. What was up with that god-AWFUL scene in the kitchen when April was singing that church song like she was possessed?
6. Why was there little to no chemistry between Taraji and Adam Rodriguez, and what the heck was she talking about when she said 'Why did you hug me like that?' That lil hug looked lame to me.

To this I say - people, people, people, you're asking for too much. You want a TP movie with character development and no unanswered questions? You want all loose ends to be tied and every detail to be realistic and logical? I'm sorry, that's too much to ask. Theater requires overdramatization, while film allows you to be more subtle, so there's still some adjustments to be made in his writing. That's why the bad guys are sooo extra bad. They have to jump out and say, "Hi, I'm the bad guy! Watch out for me, I'm evil."

For a Tyler Perry movie, all you need is a handsome leading man
and a pretty leading lady. The lady must have a grudge over some wrong that happened in her childhood. (Usually molestation of some sort.) With the man's help and with a church scene in there too (that reminds her of what her grandma used to say about trusting in the Lord when she was little), she gets over it and falls in love. That's it. That's the formula. Films that have broken this mold ("Why Did I Get Married?" and "The Family That Preys") were supremely engaging and entertaining. But everything else sticks to the script.

I love TP to life, so I keep watching anyway. If you want a little more than that, like some editorial growth, for example, then I'm sorry. IDK what to tell you.

"Revolutionary Road"

At the beginning of the year, the bf and I had a goal to watch all the hoity-toity Oscar movies that won big, but most people had never heard of. "Slumdog Millionaire" was good, "In Bruges" with Colin Farrell was good, and last night we finally got along to "Revolutionary Road" with Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio. IDK what it is with this duo, but they are greatttt together. If you're scared of marriage like me, u might not want to watch it, lol. It's directed by Sam Mendes, who directed "American Beauty," so there is a similar theme of having the perfect little suburban life and not being fulfilled with it.

In the case of Leo and Kate, when they met as two carefree young people, everything was fun and they had a desire to be great one day. Seven years and two kids later, real life kind of set in and the lives they wanted to lead all along still haven't begun. It causes unhappiness for them personally and destruction for their marriage. Kate comes up with a plan to escape from the hopelessness of everyday life and get back to their dreams, but, well...sometimes ppl stick with what's safe and comfortable. You should check it out and see how everything pans out. The acting was great from everyone involved, and it's an amazing film.

Yayyy!

For those of you who watched "The Game" and thought that Kelly Pitts looked familiar, well, she should have. She used to be on the "Sweet Valley High" TV show with her twin sister.

Before my dad purged his house of all books he thought were "trash," I was on a mission to read all the Sweet Valley High books, while my sister was ride or die for "The Baby-Sitter's Club." Well, the chick who wrote the movie "Juno" shopped around a new version of a Sweet Valley TV show - and it will be in the works pretty soon. U know they're bringing everything else back these days, from 90210 to Melrose Place...we'll see how SVH turns out, and while they're at it, why not reintroduce the BSC girls?

My Heart is So Heavy

Irony of ironies: When I was a freshman, I met a young man when I was a member of the Judicial Branch of the Student Government Association. If I remember correctly, we were both defense attorneys. He was a year older, and though I did not stay in SGA, he went on to get higher positions withing the J-Branch. As a sophomore, I joined a business fraternity, and he became one of my brothers.

Today he was sentenced to 7 years in prison. As I was graduating from school, the newspaper broke a story about a grade-changing scandal. Well, apparently since I've been gone, they found the three students responsible for hacking the school's Registrar's Office computer system, changing grades and changing out-of-state residency to in-state for numerous students. The other two parties copped a plea deal, and it seems that if he had admitted guilt then he would have received a lesser sentence as well. Charges of conspiracy, fraud, etc etc.... I understand it was wrong, but it's tough to imagine that at only 24 years old, his future and his goals have come to a screeching halt.

"Do the crime, do the time"...OK..."It's a federal offense..." OK. I know, I know, but he is certainly someone who understands what the legal system does to young black men. If he acted wrongfully anyway, then clearly, he didn't think he would get caught. "Pride comes before the fall" I know. But he is going to be locked away with murderers, rapists and all sorts of heartless criminials...and I cannot help but feel sorry because I know him to be bright, focused, intelligent, determined, and to possess all sorts of other characteristics that should have him on a path to success.

I hope the sentence is appealed and that perhaps he will face less time, but either way, prison time will be served. That's inevitable. And it ruins the chanches of taking the Bar exam and gaining the type of employment afterward that he is capable of obtaining. I won't name him - it wouldn't take much research for you to find out who he is and read the story for yourselves, but my point is that my heart is heavy rght now. I hate to see a young person with so much ahead of them have it all taken away. I hate what it will do to his family and I hate the things that he will likely have to go through in that place. I'm praying for grace and mercy and that he just manages to make it through. I'm done with that "everything happens for a reason" theory," but I do hope that when it's all over, he will be able to overcome all the adversity and still reach a bright future.

And while I'm at it - If you love someone, you really should do anything you can to keep them from being wrong. We make our own choices, but you still have an absolute responsibility to tap someone on the shoulder and say, maybe that's not such a good idea; Have you thought about what would happen if...? And if or when they do not make the wrong choice, love them enuf to help them recover.

Our Daily Bread

I'm sure at some point in your life, you have seen those little white booklets called, "Our Daily Bread." They're a free, pocket-sized publication with a scripture and anecdote for every day. We get them at church, and while I cannot say I always read them in the past, I have recently been trying to take two minutes of my day to read the encouraging notes before I begin my work day. It's an effort to get on the right track before I even leave the house.

Monday's word was about the Pharisees, who really just went through the pomp and circumstance of religious practices. Jesus saw that their hearts weren't clean. Showing love for others was an insincere display for them.

What struck me about the passage was the last paragraph the author wrote: "The proof of spiritual maturity is not how 'pure' you are but your awareness of your impurity. That very awareness opens the door to God's grace."

It seems to me that ppl who accuse Christians of thinking that we are perfect really have it all wrong. By being mature enough to recognize our own impurities, it enables us to include ourselves in that group when we say 'nobody's perfect.' We ask for our flaws to be apparent to us so that we can work toward becoming a perfect being like Christ. In the meantime, because we know we have impurities just like everyone else, it should motivate us to operate from a place of compassion and extend greater love to those around us (than those who do not profess to have the love of Christ.) u get me??? It doesn't always happen that way, we know, but it's something you have to work on daily.

Strip Club Fans Unite

I know I mentioned this to you all before, but today is the day. The Detroit City Council will be voting on whether to enact some very stringent strip club ordinances. I've been getting calls allllll week in favor of the following proposals:

Banning alcohol in strip clubs
No nudity, and requiring dancers to wear pasties on their breasts
No touching of the dancers, and the stage must be at least 18 inches high
No lap dances
No VIP rooms

I'm not a fan of strip clubs, personally. But these business are willing to set up shop in Detroit when others are not. The moral majority that is against them is disregarding the revenue these establishments generate. If the proposed changes take place, that will all change. I'm hearing arguments like, "They cause trouble and we don't need that filth in our city." I disagree completely. I think they prevent the patrons from being in the streets causing trouble, actually, and it is a very popular recreational activity these days for men and women of all ages and races. Running the clubs out of town = job loss and revenue loss. Stripping is like a last-resort job, so with unemployment the way it is in Detroit, where do you expect the hoes to work if you drive their customers away?

If you want to see how your Council people vote, watch live at 2 p.m. at the city's Web site:

http://www.detroitmi.gov/legislative/

Confederate Hero

The House formally rebuked Rep. Joe Wilson on Tuesday for his outburst during President Obama's speech on health care. A rebuke just means we want to publicly acknowledge that what you did was wrong and request an apology. It's not even a real punishment.

But for some reason, many people felt like that was too severe. This is how the voting went.

"Seven Republicans joined 233 Democrats in approving the resolution; 12 Democrats joined Mr. Wilson and 166 other Republicans in opposing it." -New York Times

SO you mean to tell me 179 political leaders actually thought it was OK to interrupt the president of the United States during an address? And then to call him a name, at that?

Wow. At the very least, they should be decent enough to recognize that his act was disrespectful. No one wants to be called a liar, and how would these ppl feel if it was done to them? Even when President Bush stood up talking nonsense and telling stories, no one ever had the gall to act so unseemingly. But we all know why it was OK in this case. To some ppl, Rep. Wilson is now a hero. You don't believe me? Well, since his outburst, people have just been donating money to him. Just calling up, writing checks happy as hell that Wilson had the nerve to treat our president the way he really seems him: like the n-word.
In fact, Wilson has received more than $1 million.

President Obama is the keep it movin-type, but we all know one act is all it takes to open the floodgates. You let one person try you, then one by one others will think they can try you too. The main issue here is that people across the country can look at an act so blatantly disrespectful, and actually find it commendable.

I'm Not Gonna Lie

I'm kinda happy Hank Baskett was released by the Eagles. If you know me, you know why....this is the Hank Baskett who knocked up that Playboy bunny broad - and then married her. IDK how I feel about a brotha who can sleep with someone who used to sleep with Hugh Heffner, but hey - to each his own.

The move was made to clear space for Michael Vick, who now has been officially elevated to the 53-man roster. The other day when I heard about the Eagles signing veteran QB Jeff Garcia, I was scared it meant Vick wouldn't get his chance. But this move shows me otherwise.

Sorry about your cracked ribs, McNabb..but I hope the injury sidelines you longer than Sept. 27, because this is the day Michael Vick gets back in action!

And in other injury news, y'all lift Troy Polamalu up in prayer...IDK if I can watch a Steelers game without him on the field. Just doesn't feel right.

Y He So Mad Fo? Y He Such a A**Hole?

I watched the new Leno show last nite only long enuf to see a funny spoof of "Cheaters" (where Kevin Eubanks was cheating on Jay, lol) and the "Run This Town" performance w/ Jay, Ye and Rihanna. Before the song, though, Leno asked Kanye about his ugly outburst at the VMAs...and while some of yall might feel Kanye has apologized enuf, Jay Leno took it a step further:

JAY LENO: Let me ask you something. I was fortunate enough to meet your mom and talk with your mom a number of years ago. What do you think she would have said about this?

KANYE WEST: [A long pause.]

LENO: Would she be disappointed in this? Would she give you a lecture?

WEST: Yeah. You know, obviously, you know, I deal with hurt. And, you know, so many celebrities, they never take the time off. I’ve never taken the time off to really — you know, just music after music and tour after tour. I’m just ashamed that my hurt caused someone else’s hurt. My dream of what awards shows are supposed to be, ’cause — and I don’t try to justify it because I was just in the wrong. That’s period.

But I need to, after this, take some time off and just analyze how I’m going to make it through the rest of this life, how I’m going to improve. Because I am a celebrity, and that’s something I have to deal with. And if there’s anything I could do to help Taylor in the future or help anyone, I’d like — you know, I want to live this thing. It’s hard sometimes, so –

LENO: Thanks for coming here, and thanks for doing that.

So that long pause is definitely where Kanye almost cried. IDK how I feel about Jay getting that personal; that was a low blow. However, I felt all along that a lot of what's been going on with 'Ye has to deal with grief over his mom's death. I hope he will take the time to step away from his bald, non-heterosexual gf, the 'flashing lights' and fashion designing and whatnot to really try to process it all and deal with it, cuz Kanye just might be my favorite rapper. And sumtimes extrememly talented ppl allow their personal issues to overshadow their careers. (MJ, Whitney, etc)

ADHD is Molecular

I read the ticker tape at the bottom of the screen during a segment with Toure on MSNBC. Idk who apointed this man pop culture guru, but anyway...
The scroll said that studies have shown that ppl with ADHD lack the proteins that enable them to feel a sense of reward and motivation. You know most of the things we do in life, we do it because of the expectation of some reward - an A+, a sense of pride, praise and recognition from others, etc. But they don't have a sense for those simple motivators. Their brains just aren't turned on by that stuff.
No study is 100 percent conclusive, I think, but it's an interesting theory.

I Haven't Watched...

...The VMAs since, like, '86. But I hear Janet's going to open the shin-dig with an MJ tribute, and well - that's kind of like what the world has been waiting for. Look at those slick MTV ppl, trying to boost ratings. (And likely succeeding, depsite that weirdo guy who'll be hosting)

...I also haven't watched American Idol since Ruben won. But with the addition of Ellen DeGeneres, I might be back in. I thought Ellen was busy enough with her very entertaining daytime talk show and her spokesmodelin for Covergirl (lol). But I guess she decided, no, I'm not too busy to collect another paycheck.

This won't surprise u at all, but the only judge I like is Simon. Randy can go host Radio Disney, and Paula can check into rehab for all I care. Some ppl are mad A.I. didn't find sum1 with at least a hint of a music background.
I heard sum1 suggest Janet Jackson. Yea, except that she whispers all the time, in btw giggling like a toddler, thereby making her speech undecipherable.
LL Cool J said he's done rapping, maybe yall could hire him.
Tiny & Toya seem to be pretty popular...
And Mariah probably won't be selling too many albums next week, so she mite be available as well. The list goes on and on...
But hey, they needed to do sumthing drastic AND entertaining. And Ellen might be the funniest woman I've seen. BUT if she tries to make the whole show into a standup routine that has nothing to do with the contestants, then I'll go back to my personal protest.

Sad Commentary on Our Current State of Affairs

My best friend recently took a huge leap of faith (and independence) and moved to Houston. She's rooming with her older brother (one of the many ppl I've heard of who have left Detroit and declared Houston the best city ever, period).

I asked him, "What's the biggest difference between Houston girls and Detroit girls?"

He had a looooong list of differences, all in favor of the Texans. But the VERY FIRST thing he said was:

"They all got good jobs!"

-Sad on our behalf, Detroit. But probably true.

Facebook FAQs - Part I

Q: When is it OK to un-friend ppl from Facebook?

A: Considering the fact that half the ppl you "friend" on FB aren't really friends, and you really don't interact with them that often, this should be relatively easy. However, un-friending ppl comes across as petty, which may be the reason for thinking twice. It looks tacky, I know. But as a general rule, when one party commits an act so offensive that you don't have a remote need to even occasionally interact with them, then go ahead and hit "Remove from Friends."
Here are some catergories:

1. Exes/Ppl You Used to "Talk To": Remove the temptation to become a Facebook stalker. If homeboy stood you up to take your friend on a date, really why do you need to read his status updates to see if any of them refer to you? You don't need to look at his new photos, and you dont need to see if he's In a Relationship. Also, you don't need his new girl to find you on FB and start sum drama..Just let go!

2. Party Promoters: If every message you receive from this "friend" reads like this: "It's going Down!!! The ULTIMATE party of the Year! HypeMan Productions Presents Wigs and Pumps at the Platinum Lounge"...then clearly, this person just friended you for the sake of advertising. Save yourself some spam and remove them.

3. Brokers/Agents: Let's define this group, shall we? With FB being so open these days, it's pretty easy for ppl to see your profile. BUT depending on your privacy options, you may only be public to certain ppl. BEWARE of your friends who allow access to non-friends. For instance, your homegurl goes to TCC and you go to FAM. A rat from TCC would like to find you and discuss you dancing with her man at the club, so she gets one of her FAM gurls to let her see your page.
Even worse: Wnen someone who IS on Facebook allows someone who IS NOT on Facebook to see your profile. This person is therefore acting as the other person's agent. I mean really, if you want to screen my page so bad,why don't you just join yourself? That leads me to the next category...

4. Facebook Stalkers: Ppl who comment on your every update as soon as you hit Enter. Ppl who might even change their status to reflect yours. Sometimes you wonder, with so much time on their hands to monitor your profile, do these ppl ever go to work or school? This includes ppl who need to judge your statuses as well...which usually consists of ppl from church. AND OH YEAH-

5. As a general rule of thumb, just don't friend church ppl. Don't accept Mother Watkins, Deacon Jones or his son. Don't friend the secretary cuz it's her job to retain and organize information....and as much as DevaDonna hates to say it, church ppl gossip just as much as anybody, so it's guaranteed they'll pass what they see on to others.

I hope this helps, Dear Readers...

That Da*n Rickey Smiley

I dont know if it's just me, but ever since I started listening to The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, old ppl are soooo funny now.

I know I'll be old one day, so I shouldnt laugh- but ima blame Rickey cuz he doesnt do anything but highlight the truth...Now, whenever I meet someone named Bernice, I have to keep from laughing in her face bcuz I think of his church announcements skit...


And then ppl w/ names like Ethel, Mable, Hattie and Pearlie...just funny off-top for no good reason other than they sound like they should be on the Mother Board.
Today they were talking about a 61-yr old man who slapped sumbody's hollering baby at Wal Mart...Dang you, Rickey Smiley!

Only a Matter of Time

I swear, Hollywood canNOT wait to capitalize on every cultural trend black ppl create.
I neva saw "Rize," the movie about crumpin, but a movie is in the works now about Jerkin. The New Boyz's manager, along with the producers of "Next Day Air," and sum execs from Asylum Records....and a whole buncha other ppl are behind the film.

This is a quote from the article I read that describes what's attracting these Hollywood folks to make the film:

"Unlike some other forms of street art, it's underlied by a specific political ideology of providing a positive, anti-gang message in the inner city. The movement is marked by dancers wearing brightly colored, nonbaggy jeans and shirts, in marked contrast to conventional hip-hop wear."



And here's another quote:
"Because it is anti-gang, the phenomenon marks 'the first time in human history where youth culture is rebelling against itself.' "


*Ooo-Kayyy*....Jerkin is cool so i'm not saying dont watch it...im just like dang, black pppl cant hav sumthin for two minutes before they try to make it mainstream...what trends do other youth ever come up with?

*Also thought I'd mention that they're coming out with "Bad Boys 3" AND "Big Momma's House 3"...how much big momma does the world really need, ya feel me?

This Was A Trip

I was watching Y&R last night and as you may know, Eva from Top Model is on there now. Homegurl is gorgeous, but her acting bores me (even by soap opera standards) and her wig looked like they took it off the black Barbie we had at age 6....but I digress. My mom looks at the TV and starts laughing.
I'm like, whats your deal? (cuz it was a real serious scene)
Mom goes, "She looks like Terrence Howard."

I'm So Confused

...I just heard that Al Sharpton will appear on WWE's "Monday Night Raw."

Bob Barker and Lebron James are going to appear as well, and they're lining up a whole bunch of other ppl, like Hammer and Serena Williamns....but the Rev. Al Sharpton? Um, ok....

He Betta Win, w/All This Hoopla...

Apparently, they used to show boxing matches at the movies like 30 years ago.

And Sept. 19, they're gonna do it again for the Brett Favre/JayZ of the boxing world, Mr. Floyd Mayweather.

The next time you go to the movies you might see a trailer for the Mayweather- Marquez fight...I mean a 30-second preview.

It will cost about $15 a ticket, but in case you dont have friends who are ordering PPV, I think it's kinda exciting.

The last time you could go to a theatre and see a boxing match, Sugar Ray Leonard was fighting.

I Just Wanna Be, I Just Wanna Be...

"We celebrate fame because it liberates us from restrictions that apply to others."

-Miami Herald opinions columnist Leonard Pitts wrote this in an article about Michael Jackson's death. I copied the article below because it really is worth five minutes of your time to read it. But I singled out this line because honestly, it does define success to me. I would enjoy the perks of fame, but that's not why I want it: I want it so that rules that apply to everyone else don't apply to me. Plain and simple. Being in a broadcast journalism program, appearance was very important. You had to maintain a certain look, can't get too crazy...same thing now that I work in a government office, and in past corporate business settings...have to be conservative - can't come to work with purple hair like I really want to. Or a diff weave every week (even tho I do it anyway)....Can't say what you wanna say necessarily, cuz u dont wanna ruffle any feathers...gotta wake up at 7 and be to work at 9 and if you're late you have to explain why....Famous ppl aint gotta do all that! Ima look forward to it...

Leonard Pitts Jr.: Michael Jackson needed people to tell him 'no'
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
By Leonard Pitts Jr.

You are one of the biggest stars there has ever been, a star so big the mere sight of you causes hysteria and stampedes, a star so big, other stars turn into gushing fanboys when they meet you.

And there comes a night -- another in a long series -- when you cannot get to sleep, when you lie abed like any workaday shlub, eyes wide open, mind wide awake, held hostage by the relentless ticking of the clock.

But you are not a workaday shlub. You are a "star," source of light and heat earthlings look up to see. One of the perks is that you have a doctor at your beck and call, so you ask him for something to put you to sleep. Unfortunately, what he gives you doesn't work. He gives you something else, but that doesn't do it, either. After five tries, you're still awake.

And all through that long night, you are asking for, pleading for, "demanding" something you've used before, something much stronger. Finally, late in the morning, the doctor caves in. He adds the drug to your IV. And it works, all too well.

That, according to court documents released this week, is how Michael Jackson died.

Now, the physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, faces the very real possibility of prosecution for manslaughter. According to the documents, he told police he administered propofol -- a powerful anesthetic typically used only in a hospital under the supervision of an anesthesiologist -- despite the fact that he had already given the singer three other sedatives five times over six hours, and despite the fact that he suspected Jackson was developing an addiction to the drug.

I will leave it to others to assess Murray's culpability in Jackson's death. I'm more interested in Jackson's. Because if the narrative suggests negligence on the part of the doctor, what does it say about the patient?

Here in the world of workaday shlubs, after all, it's hard enough to imagine a doctor making a house call, much less having one on site from whom you could demand a favored drug. Of course, Michael Jackson left that world a long time ago; he became internationally famous when he was 11.

And his was a particularly isolating fame. In the first place, it was of an intensity that made even the semblance of ordinary life impossible. In the second place, it struck when he was a child, i.e., before he was fully formed, so that he never knew himself any other way, had almost literally no experience with what most of us would call normal.

And then he became more famous, still.

The trouble with fame is that it induces awe and the person who regards you with awe is unlikely to tell you what you don't want to hear. So the tale those court papers tell is hardly surprising. Long before he died, Jackson's life was a cautionary tale of what can happen when you become too big for anyone to tell you no.

You think he would have driven his finances into the ground if there'd been someone who could say, No, Michael, you don't need another golden cherub or portrait of you as a medieval king?

You think he would have done such violence to his features if there'd been someone who could say, No, Michael, don't carve your nose down until it looks like it belongs on some Disney princess?

You think he would have made himself an object of ridicule if there'd been someone who could say, No, Michael, you should not allow children into your bed, no matter how innocent you think it is?

And do you think he'd be dead if his doctor had said, No, Michael, I'm not giving you what you want?

We celebrate fame because it liberates us from restrictions that apply to others.

But the moral of this story is that there are some restrictions from which we ought never be freed. When you're too big to be told no, you're too big.

And ultimately, that's Michael Jackson's ineffable tragedy. He died from an overdose of yes.