What's Zee Watching These Days???...

Hello everybody. I'm back on the scene to write another blog entry. I meant to write it last night, but the procrastinator in me wouldn't let me. Well as the self-appointed Queen of Television Watching (QOTW), I came across a couple of interesting shows recently. You know, not too many shows really interest me. Prime-time tv on the big three networks is so one-sided, predictable, and overwhelmingly corny. I don't see how people stomach that crap. So that's why I venture out into the world of cable channels most of the time.

I watch all kinds of shows that other folks don't watch. While everybody else is watching Survivor, the Amazing Race, American Idol, Gre.y's Anatomy, or Despe.rate Housewives, I'm watching the knock off trash like American Princess (WE Channel), Flava of Love (Vh1), Charm School (VH1), and Rock of Love (Dang. That was painful) in an attempt to find some value in them. In a well balanced diet, we have to add a little bit of trash. I'm not proud of it, but it's like the buying the Nation.al Inquirer. You don't actually buy it. You just get into the longest line at the grocery store and read it there. When the cashier finishes ringing up you stuff, you put the magazine back on the rack. Why? Because you can't let family and friends come to your place and see magazines with alien faces and sightings on it. Shux, then you'd end up on the next installment of the show "Intervention" on TLC. For shame!!!...

The healthy part of my television consumption involves watching a lot of CNN, the History Channel, CourtTv, TLC, etc. I've watched shows about how bridges are built, how the ice highway is built and maintained for a few months out of the year to transport big rigs in the middle of winter to the diamond mines, how your seafood is caught off the coast of the Atlantic in dangerous weather, etc. Who else watches this stuff but me? But anywhoo. Aside from the craziness that the land of tv provides, I've found a couple of interesting shows. One is about Salt N Pepa. The other is about Irv Gotti.

Salt N Pepa

Will They Or Won't They Get Back Together???...

Sometimes do you ever wonder what happened to a singer or a group or a trio in this case? Within watching a few seconds of watching this video, you'll know the answer about Salt N Pepa. SideNote: What happened to Spinderella? I guess friends just move into different directions and just grow apart. In the minds or fantasies of fans, we always want to believe that the members of a group are going to stay together forever even after they stop performing. So it was a little strange for me to find out that Salt and Pepa aren't close anymore. I should know better as I think about how my friends and I have grown apart.

While watching the video, I felt like I understood where Salt was coming from. There comes a time and a day when your day in the sun is over. I'm a few years younger than they are, but I'm coming into a phase of feeling very maternalistic. The things that used to excite me don't anymore. I'm not saying that I can't go out and have fun anymore. It's just not my focus. I'd rather be raising a family. That's just me. But on the flip side, there is good ole Pepa with her wild self. *lol* She reminds me of some of my friends who refuse to let any grass grow up under their feet. They're onto the next party and keep something going. I love them. We just can't hang out together anymore, because they are too wild. Faded beauty looks so bad trying to fit into tube tops and mini skirts with all that meat hanging out. Turn and look away. They just look strange out here trying to compete with those young girls (Beyonce, Rihanna, etc.) *lol* Forty aint the new 20. I'm not 40 yet, but I can tell you the mid to late 30's aint even the new 20. We just got to learn to embrace the age we really are. That's what's beautiful. Fortunately, Salt N Pepa still look good. One way or the other, the Salt N Pepa show scheduled to air in October on VH1 looks like a reality show worth watching.

Irv Gotti: What's New With Him???...

Earlier today I had the video posted on this entry. But after watching it a few times, I think I'll just provide the link. Here it is ==> Irv's Reality Show. I really don't care for Irv's spicy language. He's a real character and a real piece of work, if you know what I mean. A while ago, he appeared on Wend.y Williams' show to badmouth Ashanti for not being a ride or die chick for him. Say what? He's the one who got questioned about money laundering and was nabbed with having the drugs Ecstasy and Viagra in his possession. *blank stare* Side Question: Are folks so broken down in their freakin 30's that they can't rise to the occasion anymore and need Viagra? **Continued Blank Stare** Then he sat back and let Wendy and her crew clown Ashanti's weight. Umm. Has Irv ever been skinny or at least at a normal weight? *lol* I'm not a big Ashanti fan at all, but it seems like Irv is intentionally taking jabs at her knowing that she can't leave him because he has her locked down under some water tight contracts. He just better watch out about creating a hostile work environment full of sexual harassment, which could open him up to being sued by her. Plus, there is a certain low lifeness about folks who talk about their sex lives to the public. He's going around implying that he and Shani did "it." Whatever. Irv needs to grow up and move on since she has with Nelly. *shrug*

I guess one would wonder why I would even consider watching Irv's show. Well, I'm curious, which is the foundation of most reality shows. I'm still in my adventure to find worth in shows and to see deeper meanings in people. Irv's wife and family are going to be on the show. From what I've seen so far, I feel sorry for his wife, because he appears to disrespect his wife very publicly. For goodness sake, she is the mother of his children. He's made it known that ride or die loyalty is important to him, but has no problem letting other folks down. There is no way that he would accept the same kind of trash he deals out to others. I really don't know what to make of his show, but honestly I'll be watching for the sake of curiousity. I want to see the good in everybody. So, I'm hoping to see the good side of Irv. We shall see.

The Jena 6: The Struggle Isn't Over...

I Support The Jena 6!!!...

The countdown is over and the day has come to support the Jena 6 in an effort to pursue equal justice under the law. This news story, which has been largely ignored by the mainstream media, involves the case of six African American teenagers. They had been charged with attempted murder for a school yard fight precipitated by a situation where black students were prevented from sitting under a tree, which had been designated as a whites-only area by white students. Black students protested. And there afterwards, three nooses appeared on the tree.

While most mainstream media stories mainly focus on the fight, other details were left out on purpose. Yes, a fight occurred, but the alleged victim of the fight went to the hospital, was released the same day, and attended a school- sponsored function later that day. So we ask the question, how is that attempted murder? Well, that's why the protesters from near and far are traveling to Jena, Louisiana to stage a peaceful protest. To follow the progression of the march and other related activities, please see the following information: ==> The Jena 6

They Are So Full Of Crap...

Don't fall for the ole okey doke. First the media was providing non-stop coverage about Michael Vick. Now they've got their targets focused on O.J. Simpson, whom we (brothers and sisters) could care less about, and his little tinkets, memorabilia or whatever. Who cares? O.J. is just loving that "they" are showing him attention again and that "they've" got their hands on him, because he can't get enough of "them". Let the Tropi.cana girls spring him out of jail.

But notice how much media attention is given to the Jena 6 and to the West Virginia woman, who was abused by six folks. You'll have to dig really hard to find this news, because they are working overtime at sweeping these stories under the rug.

I Live For the Weekend...

Earth, Wind & Fire - Boogie Wonderland
Uploaded by hakim93200

What do you do when you don't have time to write a good old fashioned and homemade blog entry? Show a video. So, excuse me as I put on my sparkly silver boots to cut the rug with The Elements: Earth, Wind, and Fire. Have a great weekend!!!...

Remembering September 11, 2001

A Day Of Reflection...

All That Freaking Hype...That's What's Up...

I know it's been a while since I've blog. And I apologize for that. Hey CreoleInDC. I had been feeling plain exhausted from work. I'd come home and almost fall asleep on my keyboard. But I'm back. I'll start by providing a short update about the good old job. I've been keeping a low profile as I continue to make career plans. I'm sort of concerned about making any rash decisions in this uncertain economy. I may devote a post about that some time this week.

However, most notably at my job there is a scam artist in the wings. My co-worker who sits in the cubicle next to mine is pulling all kinds of disappearing acts everyday. And apparently, he must not be putting in leave requests for his absences, because the bosses have begun to walk down our aisle, which they rarely used to do. One even asked me if I knew where he was. And of course, I said that I didn't know, because I just don't want to be involved in someone else's mess. I only have time to focus on my career. Babysitting someone who is 15 to 20 years my senior is not on my radar. But I do get tired of him trying to talk to me when he does come in. I bet he's trying to get me and the other co-workers to vouch for him showing up. I'm not going to allow him to pull me down with him. He's tried to talk smack about the management behind their backs, but he does a huge job of kissing up in their presence. I have my differences with the management too. I just try to be a little more discreet about it. His situation is about to pop off real soon as the supervisors continue to provide more surveillance around his cube. I just want to steer clear of that train wreck.

All Aboard...



Speaking of train wrecks, wasn't that some mess with the MTV Awards? It just plained sucked this year. They know how to hype up a show only not to deliver again. I grew up with MTV. I remember when they first went on the air with Martha Quinn as one of the first VJs. I think I was a pre-teen. They came this far to mess up. *sigh* Let's just go ahead and launch into a good old fashioned assessment.

So much for comebacks. What about go aways? If anyone cared about Britney Spears, they would not have let her take the stage in her mental and physical condition. Where are her handlers? She appeared a bit out of shape in a bikini and knee high boots. She could barely lip sync the lyrics and appeared to wobble a bit as if she was about to fall over. Her dancers were practically holding her up as well as the overall performance. It was painful for everybody to watch. I think everyone collectively didn't even want to laugh, because her performance was that bad. Folks were holding their breath hoping that she could get through it. Everything that's played out in the tabloids appears to be true. I felt bad for the girl enough not to post of a picture of her performance. And fellow recording artists even seemed to try to hold back their whispers and shock of what Britney has become...Washed up at 25. At this point, Britney's label needs to delay all of her projects until she can get it together. One more thing, the CBS news this morning tried to tell folks to give Britney a break (on her performance get up) because she had two kids, but umm, why not give us a break and cover up a bit more? That alone could have made the performance a little better.

Let's Dance, Let's Shout, Shake Your Body Down To The Ground...



Aside from Britney, most of the other performances weren't that good either. There was a whole lot of lip synching going on. Shux, I could have gone out there and put on a sparkly gown to mouth out some trashy lyrics. But anyhoo, MTV had this new set up of having artists to perform at different suites at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas. Things possibly could have worked if they had let us see full performances. It looked more like Dick Clark's New Year's party. But I'll say Chris Brown provided a more lively performance at the main stage while conjuring up Michael Jackson from 20 years ago. Wow. Great. Um, let's see. Usher and Justin Timberlake have channeled Michael. Now we have Chris. I'm holding out promise for him since he has a lot of potential and does possess dancing skills. But when will artists become original? Remix that.

Who Won??? And Who Didn't???...



There was another bright spot during the show. That would be Rihanna. Her Umbrella video won two awards. She doesn't claim to be a vocal powerhouse or anything, but she presents herself well. I give her extra cool points for her efforts and professionalism. Jay-Z did a good job of packaging her. I just hope he is also helping her to develop her singing talent in terms of range and depth so that she can stick around. I can't really bring myself to buy her CD yet. That comment wasn't meant to be an insult. It's just that I don't buy many CDs anymore, and if I do, I have to make sure that I like more than one song. I still think Rihanna could be a star in the making. She also has potential and may be someone to watch...Kanye was his old self moaning and complaining about not winning a dog gone thing. You know it's hard to sympathize with him sometimes. I'm still chilly with him behind his Evil Kneievel inspired video depicting sistas as being jealous of his involvement with a blond. Umm. So what. But fair is fair, and I agree with him questioning MTV for letting Britney headline the awards.

Moving along. Justin Timberlake snagged a bunch of awards and I still can't get on board with him. I thought others were worthy of awards. But other than that, I don't have anything bad to say about him. He's no better and no worse than most of the artists out now. I just wonder whether he can produce hits of his own without folks like Timbaland. Oh yeah. Alicia Keys performed well again and didn't disappoint, which leads me to ask why she wasn't asked to open the awards. All I know is that MTV put on a lackluster show with their karaoke performers.

Well that's my star log report. I've got to get moving. Work calls. Have a great day... :-)