Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Memorial Day Weekend: Fun And Sun???...



A Perfectly Good Weekend Spent On The Couch....

Ahh. Some of yall get your minds out of the gutter. *hee hee* Last weekend, I had my whole weekend planned out. In fact, I arranged to have last Friday off from work to kick off things and to ease into the weekend. But Saturday a little scratchy throat turned into a bonafide sore throat, which announced that I had a cold. When I get a cold, I really want to know where and whom it came from. Could have been that nasty co-worker who refuses to wash his hands, or could it have come from the elevator button at work, or maybe on the shopping cart from the grocery store? Bummer. I didn't feel well and nobody feels like being around a coughing snott rag. So, there you have it. A perfectly good weekend gone awry. But I did read a couple of blogs where some of you had some really great plans. I just wished some of yall could have dropped a BBQ plate by my place. Nevermind. My tastebuds aren't back yet.

Oh well. I did the next best thing. I've been sleeping, drinking orange juice, and watching a lot of tv. And I've had enough tv and plan to return to work tomorrow. Let me tell you what I observed on the telly. But first let me take my hat off to honor stay-at-home moms, because daytime tv is pretty crappy.

Here's The RunDown:

The View -- I'm not one to gossip but, something is definitely going on at ABC network's show, "The View." Just as a recap, rumors have been circulating around about Star possibly leaving the show, because the show recently hired Rosie O'Donnell. Before landing the job to replace Meredith Vieira, Rosie made some unkind weight remarks about Star. I wonder about people who initiate attacks.

Well, when I was watching today, during their opening conversations I sort of noticed how Barbara Walters (Babs) wouldn't make much eye contact with Star. Joy Behar and Star also get into it from time to time, but it doesn't seem to be personal. But how else is Star to take Babs' (the Executive Producer) move to hire her arch rival? Stick a fork in her, because she is done. But the surprise may actually be that Joy and Rosie may be the ones to bump heads, because their of strongminded ways. On today's show, Star and Babs looked like two people who possibly had "some words" at one point or another. You know the look, right? When either one was speaking, they wouldn't look at each other, but they would have the "witch please" look on their faces. But I highly don't think witch would be their choice of word. I'm not gossiping or trying to signify. Honestly, I'm just saying. Uh huh. Plus, the NY Daily News has been speculating that Star and Al are going the way of Splitsville. I think a chunky sized meteor from outer space flying into the atmosphere would be more shocking. But I'm not sure this is true or not. Who knows?

Aside from that, I figured out what about Star, my soror, gets on my nerves. I really couldn't put my finger on it before. It's all about Star and no one else. There's a fine line between being outspoken and down right annoying. Believe me. I've tried to see Star's side, but she takes on this authoritative air. You know it when you hear when the person gets louder and louder as you try to get a word in edge wise. Since ole girl doesn't sing, dance, or act, she might want to pick up a law book and get back to her legal career gig, because Babs is showing us that she can be greasy (shady) like the bottom of a KFC bag. I like and respect Babs as a legendary newsperson, but she's gotten greasy, do you hear me? What can we say? Star is self-absorbed, somewhat annoying, but okay at other times. So, at least I can stand her, because I believe she does things to hide her insecurities and not out of meaness. And well, Rosie, she aint no prize. Hmph. I'm just saying.

The Lifetime Channel -- If you ever feel like life is treating you too well, or you want to be brought down a notch or two, or you are just a glutton for misery, try the Lifetime Channel. They have an unending supply of depressing movies. The only exception is the "Golden Girls" show from the 1980's. I'm not lying. Watch and see. And don't let a holiday roll around, because they will pull out the 5 Star depressing movies. On Mother's Day, they have movies about missing kids, on Father's Day, they have movies about absentee pops, and year-round they have movies about rape, murders, and kidnappings. Enough already and stop the madness!!!...

The Oxygen Channel -- With all the money Oprah has, why does her channel show the same movie three times in three days in these days of TiVo and other recording devices? Other than, I do like watching "Living Single." Plus, I found myself watching the Real Weddings show, which I had previously banned myself from watching. I didn't want to get all caught up in watching a bunch of Bridezillas going ape over their weddings. But I watched and saw some cute, love dovey weddings and then there were some crazy ones. I couldn't get over the Bridezilla who cursed out her parents before and after her wedding. For example, her mother made a mistake and stepped on her train or was holding it too tightly, and the bride called her mother an idiot. Another time, the wrong color flowers came to the house before the wedding. Her father tried to say everything would be okay, then she told him to shut up. The parents looked thoroughly embarrassed, but indeed they took it. I'm quite sure that the planning for weddings can be stressful, but you should have heard the nasty things that came out of the bride's mouth. But ultimately, I felt sorry for the groom who didn't have the heart or sense enough to take off running. Doesn't he realize that he'll be the target of his new wife's outbursts for the rest of their married lives?

The Food Network -- I really don't have anything deep to say about this channel. All I know is that I like it and it provides a sense of comfort to me. I wouldn't try to cook most of the things that the cooks make (especially those that appear to throw grass and leaves from the backyard in a bowl), but it's just comforting to see the cooks in their homes prepare meals. But the Food Network could stand to have a Black Soulfood Cooking show with the old time cooks.

M.SNBC (S.carborough Country) -- Tonight I found it quite odd that three white folks were discussing Oprah's rift with a few African American rappers. Apparently, they felt like "The Authorities" on the matter rather than the people actually involved. Was it too much to ask Oprah and the rappers to represent themselves? I guess that's too fair and balanced. I always find it highly amusing that shows like this one will feel confident enough to talk about a group of people, but will "not" include them as guests on the show. I guess they were afraid that the truth might leak out.

Did one of "The Authorities" become qualified to speak on such matters by having a dinner at Popeye's Chicken, or listening to a black radio station, or once wearing a jheri curl, or having black friends, or cocking their necks from side to side in an exaggerated sista mannerism, etc.? If so, that's still not the black experience and still makes them unqualified to part their lips on such matters. Whatever the case, my thing is let Oprah and the rappers hash out their differences in a manner uninterrupted by "The Authorities." But, heck-to-the-naw, tonight's trio thought they'd tell us black folks about ourselves. Now that's some of the highest level of strongfisted bullcrap around.

Good people, it's time for me to get ready for tomorrow. Although I have a cold, I highly doubt that my dandruff can be taken for sparkles at work. So I better go wash and dry my hair before it gets too late. I hope that everyone enjoyed the Memorial Day weekend and are settling back into work just fine. Oh and by the way, that green couch isn't mine. I just like the rich look of antique furniture.

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Dreamgirls: Cannes Film Festival...



Sampling of Dreamgirls Movie Shown At Cannes Film Festival...

Beyonce, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, and Anika Noni Rose appeared in the south of France to promote their upcoming movie,"Dreamgirls," at the Cannes Film Festival. About 15 minutes worth of the movie was shown as a teaser. Don't you all wish that you all could attend the film festival? Well, I wish that I could. With all of the promotion and hoopla surrounding this movie, it better be good.

I very rarely see movies at the local theater, because it costs too doggone much. Let's do the math. ==> $10.00 for the ticket + $4.00 for a small box of popcorn drenched with that oh so glorious butter + $3.00 for a small soda + $3.00 for a small box of raisinettes = $20.00 for a freaking movie. Scratch that. Let me go through a more realistic example. ==> $7.00 for a matinee movie ticket + $3.00 for the box of popcorn with the oh so glorious butter = $10.00!!! I cut my cost in half by buying a can of soda and the raisinettes before getting to the theater an placing them in my pocket or purse. Or I could go out on a movie date for free. Most of the guys I date insist on picking up the tab, although I offer to pay my own way. I should always be dating when the good movies come out. Hmm. That's a thought. By the way, here's a couple of pictures of the "Dreamgirls" cast at a press conference and a building poster marquee.





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Vanessa Williams And Her Daughters...



Williams Featured As Favorite Mom In Magazine...

Last week, I came across this picture in P.eople Magazine. At least, I think I saw it there with other pictures of celebrity moms with their kids in a Mother's Day edition of the magazine. Boy has the time flown. Vanessa's kids have grown up so fast. Jillian (left) is 18, Melanie (right) is 16, and Sasha (center) is 6. Vanessa also has a son, Devin (not shown), but I guess this was a girls day picture.

As for Vanessa, I wonder how her career is coming along these days. I heard that she was supposed to be starring on the "South Beach" show. I haven't heard much about the show. So, I wondered whether it was canceled. But I just hope that Vanessa can get back up on her feet, because she must have been feeling really low when she appeared on the H.oward S.tern show last year. I know you're wondering how did I come across such a low class and base show like that. Well, I was flipping channels, and came across this one and was shocked to see her on it. The show was so sad, because even Howard took pity on Vanessa who was clearly feeling down, because she was having some marital problems with her second husband, Rick Fox. You could just see the hurt and embarrassment on her face. She couldn't hide it. Hopefully, she'll be able to find love and happiness with another man in the future.

It's just a shame how the entertainment industry acts like when women turn 30, their careers are over. Just notice that folks like J.Lo, Toni Braxton, Janet Jackson, and others aren't getting the shine they used to get. But I think otherwise. I think folks like Vanessa are abundantly talented, and hope that she'll be able to make a come back as she's done before.

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Oprah's Radiates Red At Legends Ball...



"Oprah, You're Simply Marvelous!!!"...

What is a billionaire to do with all of her money? Throw a party of course. I can imagine the man standing beside Oprah saying that "Marvelous" stuff to Oprah. He's not Stedman, but he's some kind of stylist to the stars. I can't remember his name though. Well last night, ABC aired footage of Oprah's Legends Ball from last year that included some of the biggest names in the fields of entertainment, art, and civil rights. Can you imagine hobnobbing with Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, Cicely Tyson, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Toni Morrison, Dorothy Height, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, Nikki Giovanni, Diana Ross (The Boss), Phylicia Rashad, Debbie Allen, Kimberley Elise, Alfre Woodard, Angela Bassett, and others at a weekend filled with surprises and fun? Then if that wasn't enough there was a Legends Ball that honored African American women for their achievements, which included some more folks such as Senator Barak Obama, Tyler Perry, Barbara Walters, Usher (why?), Quincy Jones, Diane Sawyer, Spike Lee, and John Travolta.

After seeing the show last night, I'm convinced that I'm not supposed to be poor. I'm not supposed to be waking up at the break of dawn with the birds to commute to a job that ignores and doesn't appreciate me. Oops, there I go again talking about me. But seriously, I could really get use to the good life times the power of 10, can you hear me? *blink* *blink*

Now that reality has firmly set back in, I better get back to work until I can find a way to get rich legally or at least moderately comfortable. It's not a crime to dream, because I actually dream of uplifting others as well.

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Danielle Is America's Next Top Model...



Danielle exclaimed, "Mommy, I'm America's Next Top Model...

Into:
Early on yesterday, I had prepared myself for Danielle, my favorite contestant, not winning. Time and time again, the judges got on Danielle about her country twang (accent). Coming from VA and NC, I have a little bit of a twang too. But out of the young ladies, Danielle seemed to always have a pleasant way about herself. Even in an earlier episode when she came crashing to the floor when trying to walk the catwalk in some ridicuously high heels, she went down smiling. A pure and pleasant nature can't be faked at times like this. Others would have cursed like a sailor, but she simply smiled instead. And the judges noticed.

This Year's Show Seemed Better...
I really don't watch the mainstream reality shows on the three major networks, but I did end up watching the whole season of America's Next Top Model this year. A few years ago, I remember seeing former model Janice Dickerson as a judge make a fool out of herself, which really took the attention away from the prospective top models. When Janice clowned the first week it was funny, but the next week it got down right annoying. But this year, the judges and the models seemed to be more on point. In years past, some of those chics (the contestants and the winners) didn't look like models at all. This year's competition was tighter.

Jade (Ever The Diva)...
This year the show poured on the suspense when three ladies were left standing. Jade, Joanie, and Danielle. The three had to compete in a C.overgirl commercial. Based on that alone, I thought Jade or Joanie would win, because Danielle just couldn't seem to get her country accent out of her system. But surprise, surprise, Jade is the one who choked. She walked into the competition full of confidence saying basically that the commercial would be a breeze. I don't think so. Miss Jade did her own thing as usual and didn't really memorize her lines and spent most of the time taking cues from herself rather than from the director. That left Joanie and Danielle who made better impressions. So in the first half hour, the judges politely sent Jade on her way. Throughout the whole competition, she marched to her own beat. When judges offered their advice, I'm not sure she was aware that she was nodding no or making facial expressions that said that she was not willing to take direction from them. And before packing her things and leaving, she made a statement about people misinterpeting her confidence for arrogance. Oh well. We don't have to feel sorry for Jade, because she'll probably become a model anyway. Those of us who watched the show know that she has talent. Now she has to work on her attitude. With Jade gone, at least we didn't have to endure watching any cattiness or smart remarks, because Joanie and Danielle aren't that way.

The Winner Is Revealed...
As for Danielle, I was totally shocked when Tyra named her America's Next Top Model. I just knew that the judges would pick Joanie, because the way Twiggy kept going on and on about her looking sophisticated like Grace Kelly. But I have to admit that I got a little teary eyed when Danielle said, Mommy, I'm America's Next Top Model; we don't have to struggle anymore!" I love seeing the underdog win. This former babysitter struggled with that gap in her teeth and her deep country accent, but carried herself like a real model while traveling the globe. And there's nothing left to say but, Congratulations!!!...