Just when I think 'Negro please' honors of the day should go to Bow Wow, Condoleezza Rice goes and ups the ante.
Condi is a very smart woman who has a accomplished a lot. Despite everything I still think she deserves to be recognized as at one point being the most powerful Black woman in the world. You know, if we're not counting Oprah.
Having said that, is she out her damn man?
Is she for real saying "If the president does it, it must be equal?"
If she's too busy to brush up on her American history, I'm going to need her to head over to Netflix and rent Frost/Nixon.
I'm going to need President Obama to light a fire under the Justice Department's ass and start charging the war criminals of the last administration. Forgot that nonsense about leaving things in the past. The past is prologue.
Only Bow Wow could talk about failure in such an arrogant way.
Ya'll hear that? Because Bow Wow didn't sell hip-hop is dying. Nevermind Officer Ross just moved a 157,000 copies of his new album (which is actually pretty good) or that we have a new White Mike in hip-hop. Forget that Jadakiss moved over 130,000 units the first week of his release with no major promotion. Nah, none of that matters because Kris Kross 2000 didn't sell a lot of records.
We can officially put a bullet in rap now.
Apparently no one informed dude that his fan base is a bit different from that of T.I., Lil' Wayne, and T-Pain and that they're a bit older now and probably not into you trying to rhyme like T.I.'s nephew or Wayne's bad ass cousin.
I won't even bother trying to understand why cursing on kiddie records is a good thing. It's not like he wrote the lyrics anyway.
I wish child stars would learn when they are beginning to wear out their welcome and plan their transition into something else accordingly. Bow Wow could have easily had a sitcom a few years ago but he was dead set on auditioning to be the next LL Cool J (post 95 version) with his R&B singer assisted singles.
Hopefully he makes the most of his acting gigs. It's his only shot of relevance.
Oh, and to be fair, I don't agree with Soulja Boy's claims that he's ending rappers' careers.
"You always gonna face different chapters that you go through in life, period, with whatever you're doing," he explained in an interview. "Haters come with every job and whatever you're doing in life, so you just got to do what you do. I just outshined all my haters. I done had beef with a lot of different artists, I done had a lot of artists done had different opinions about my music but at the end of the day though, it's gonna take a whole lot to stop me. I done ended a lot of n*ggas' careers, you feel me? And before I get out the game, I'ma cause hell." (Rolling Out TV)
The only person's career he can end is a speech coach.
For those of you who don't know ChaCho's is a Mexican restaurant where Negroes go to get cheap margaritas. I've heard the food is better in other locations in Texas (it's only edible in Houston), but for the most part you go there to get fucked up. And speaking of being fucked up, am I the only one who thinks these two dudes came up with this dance after their third jumbo margarita?
It's bad enough that I'm just now finding out that DJ Unk is coming out with a dance that totally rips off my idea for a dance called The Hotsauce (which one of ya'll sent him a link to my blog...fess up!), now this.
I'm not mad at Changing Faces for trying to cash in on the dance craze. With unemployment looking to jump into the double digits in the coming months creating a YouTube buzz that could lead to loads of ringtones sold is a sure fire way to make some money in a recession. It beats selling ass.
But, you've got to come harder than this.
That shit looks like something you do when you're trying to fan yourself in a hot club -- only your wrist quit you.
I have nothing against San Antonio or the Riverwalk (that's what it's called, right?) but I've never known them for dancing. That bullshit dance isn't going to help the city's cause either.
Have you seen Beyonce dance? Sasha will bitch slap you for naming that dance after Beyonce.
Do better!
And while I have your attention, Clover informed me about the UK's own little dance craze.
I've seen my stats. I have quite a few European readers. Can someone explain that to me?
Why she gotta be a skank? She already has a migrane. Don't make it worse by name calling. See, say what you will about the South, but we're polite. We say shit like, "She fine than a bitch, ass and her tits. Thick in the hips er nigga wanna call her 'Halleeeeeee Beerrrrrrry.'
See, that's a compliment. Girl yo ass is so phat, I'm gonna tell you that you look like Halle Berry...even though we both know I haven't even bothered looking at your grill.
Granted, there are other songs like "Play," but hey, no one YouTubes to that. Or maybe I'm lost in a translation. Is 'headache hoe' the British equivalent to Halle Berry?
I avoid the radio, so that's why I haven't done a post like this in a long time. But, after listening to LA radio play the same four songs on four separate stations within four minutes of each other all damn day all the damn time has brought me back to this.
The Black Eyed Peas: "Boom Boom Paw"
This song is basically "Planet Rock" only they added the noises a child would make while playing with robots, and just for kicks, they told Fergie to talk/sing/rap/whatever that is and release her inner whiny 8-year-old girl. I know the BEP catch a lot of flack from people who loathe their entire existence. I don't hate them like that, but I will say every time I watch one of their videos or hear one of their songs, I expect to hear "brought to you by McDonalds" or Verizon Wireless or the Democratic National Committee after it'sd one. Everything about them seems corporate. But hey, if ya'll like, I'll tolerate it.
I only have one favor to ask: Could you not play this shit every damn other second? Like seriously.
Flo'Rida: "Right Round"
I.Hate.This.Song. My goodness, it's terrible. I'm not mad at Flo'Rida for opting to cater to the pale and privileged, but yikes, could he at least try to get the rest of us to like his songs? I actually don't mind the original song it lifts from, but Flo'Rida's version -- again, did I mention how terrible this is? Please make it stop.
Soulja Boy feat. Sammie: "Kiss Me Through The Phone"
Honestly, I hadn't heard this song in full until last Thursday, and I'm very grateful for that because this song irritates the hell out of me. I'm not mad at Soulja Boy proving the naysayers wrong and amassing another major radio hit, but why hasn't someone taught this lil' Negro how to read yet? He still sounds three days removed from slavery.
Oh and the lyrics to this song are even simpler than the person delivering it.
Baby I've been thinkin Lately so much about u Everything about u I like it, I love it Kissing u in public Thinking nothing of it Roses by the dozen Talkin on da phone Baby u so sexy
Really?
Negro, why iz u so simple I can't help but giggle Yo, you got me showing my dimples And shit Can't believe this is bull is a hit I would tell you to get bent But I know your ass ain't legit Thank God it won't be long Before your ass is gone But until then I'll be hoping every gul leaves you with dialtone
As Trina would say, WE-MIX, WE-MIX.
Lady GaGa: "Poker Face" & "Just Dance"
I like Lady GaGa. I find her to be a breath of fresh air. She's fun, she can actually sing, and she seems like if she would still be dressing like her stylist has ADHD even if she weren't famous. But damn, can we get a new single please?
T.I. feat. Justin Timberlake: "Dead & Gone"
Actually, I'm sick of this song, "Live Ya Life," and "Whatever You Like." I'm a T.I.P. fan, but he makes songs only for the radio now and since that mission has accomplished can we hold off on playing these damn songs until he's released from prison. That is, if he actually ever goes.
Soulja Boy: "Turn My Swag On"
Why won't that damn word die already?
Beyonce: "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"
If he hasn't proposed by now he just doesn't want your ass. Ladies and gentleman, take the hint. And play "Video Phone" or "Sweet Dreams" instead. I like this song, and still find it useful, but save it for the clubs.
The Pussycat Dolls: "I Hate This Part"
Not only do I hate that part, but I hate the whole damn song. Am I the only one who thinks Nicole Shacadadowhoop sounds awful on this? No wonder Melody and 'nem are pissed at her: She's got the nerve to hog all of the parts and sing like her throat just got sprayed with mase.
G-Spot Boyz: "Do Da Stanky Legg"
G-Spot Boyz, GS Boyz, whatever they call themselves now: Enough. I actually still like the song thanks to Trina's WE-MIX, but the south has moved on. How about the rest of the country join them? There's the Ricky Bobby, the Halle Berry, and "Ice Cream Paint Job." Pick one of those and go.
Disclaimer: I realize some cities have already played the first two songs I mentioned, so if that applies to you, play "Ice Cream Paint Job." The rest of the country will catch up in like 6-8 months.
Remixes With Kanye
Yeah, not all of them work. See DJ Class' version of "I'm The Shit" featuring Kanye, or Beyonce's remix of "Ego" featuring Donatello West.
As for his own songs, I'm a little over "Heartless." Great song, but it's been played to death.
Hurry up and wear "So Amazing" out so I can hear "Paranoid" featuring Rihanna.
Those are all of the songs I can think of. Not that the radio actually plays more than a couple of songs all day anyway.
Which ones are ya'll sick of hearing?
And instead of these songs, what would you rather hear on the radio? I wish Solange's "T.O.N.Y." could get some additional spins.
I know I often blog about my love of music that sounds like it belongs in the fryer and served with a biscuit, but just so you know, I also have a great appreciation for strong vocalists and lyricists. I'm talking the likes of Fiona Apple, Lauryn Hill (or whoever wrote The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill), D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Faith Evans, Kelly Price and so on.
When I'm really in the mood for some soul music, I'm blasting My Life, Baduizm, and Brown Sugar, not B'Day (although when it's time to work out, twirk, or get my morning jig in...Bey wins).
Notice all of the albums I just listed are from the mid-90s. Well, that's because a huge chunk of R&B music - at least in its traditional form or some variation close enough to it - sucks. I have the likes of Teedra Moses, Keyshia Cole, and Amy Winehouse to tide me over, but for the most part, I have to dip back a decade prior for something substantive.
That's one reason why I've taken to Jazmine Sullivan so much. When I heard her rendition of "Resentment," I fell in love instantly. Beyonce sounds quite good on her version of the song, but I don't really feel it. There's sounding pretty and there's emoting a feeling with your voice. Jazmine is the latter, and for that type of song, it's what's required.
I bought her album out of respect for someone with genuine singing talent. I don't find her album to be perfect, however. Much like many of the albums released this decade, it strives too hard to sound universal. I get that artists (particularly Black ones) don't want to be limited by any single genre of music, but sometimes it's OK to just go with what works best for you.
I really appreciate some of the singles from her album. To me, "I Need You Bad," "Bust Your Windows," & "Lions, Tigers, & Bears" are some of the best R&B singles to come out this decade. It's a shame not one of those songs reached their full potential because her labor didn't give her the proper push.
I know she's not the best performer yet, and I just acknowledged that her album is only decent, but c'mon, look at half of the non-singing, no-rhythm having, wack ass chicks labels are still trying to stuff down our throats. There are so many girls that look, sound, and dress the same and they're all very much interchangeable and forgettable.
Why isn't Jazmine's label pushing her more? She was nominated for 9 Grammys and she didn't perform. What is that about?
I really like this cotton commercial. Jazmine sounds fantastic. It makes me want to scream "EFF YO POLYESTER!" to strangers.
But this is only so much. While I think it's commendable she's managed to score multiple top 40 hits and rack up 400k in sales with very little promotion, she could be doing so much more if her team gave a damn.
Why does it seem like J Records only knows how to promote one artist at a time. That artist being Alicia Keys. Mario's last album was pretty good but no one heard it. Monica's image may not have been the most commercially viable, her last album was pretty solid. I barely heard a peep from either, though.
What is this chick going to have to do to get ahead? Bust her gut to get folks to care about her busting windows?
If Jazmine Sullivan were a bulimic with an addiction to peroxide, would we be seeing her all over the place? I see Christina Milian's ass every where. Do I need to set up a PayPal account so us fans can put our money together and rent Jazmine a boyfriend for press?
Let me know what I have to do, because even if she does sing like she smells or looks like Snuffleupagus on occassion, she deserves to be larger than what she is.
Do you know how long it took Keri Hilson to score a hit? How many years Christina Milian has been trying? Imagine if that much effort went into Jazmine. Mmph.
I caught a 2:00 p.m. showing of the movie on Friday and the theater was nearly packed. My immediate reaction was, "People actually want to see this?!" I came out of loyalty, but I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that so many people came out for it. Beyonce did non-stop press all week, I've seen ads for the film for months now, and well, what would you rather do on a weekend: Spend $10 to see Beyonce whoop some crazy broad or slap yourself silly with your stack of bills?
Obsessed is by far the best comedy released thus far this year. The fact that it's actually supposed to be a thriller makes it even funnier. The opening credits were still rolling when I started texting people to say this film was going to be terrible. And it very much was, though I found it be pretty entertaining if only for a great laugh.
I'll probably buy it on DVD, but only after it's marked down. That shouldn't take too long.
Congratulations to Beyonce for doing a film that didn't require singing and still managing to boost her box office profile. The audience was 58% female, and while pollsters didn't take this into consideration, I can guarantee that the bulk of that other 42% consisted of men who could probably do the "Single Ladies" routine better than Beyonce.
Even bigger congrats to the Knowles family for getting all of that product placement in. Though we didn't get a shot of Agnes Dereon in any scene, I definitely spotted some House of Dereon in the movie. And it goes without saying how smooth of it was for Beyonce to sneak her music in.
For a second there, at the end of the movie I was waiting for Terrence J. and Rosci to introduce the premiere for the "Smash Into You" video.
Now since the studio didn't screen the film in advance for critics, I knew there had to be a reason behind it. But now that the commentary has poured in it pretty much doesn't matter anymore.
Still, there is one critic who I would like to call out for saying something stupid and irresponsible:
The movie’s most disturbing aspect, of which the filmmakers could not have been unaware, is the physical resemblance between Mr. Elba and Ms. Larter to O. J. and Nicole Brown Simpson. It lends “Obsessed” a distasteful taint of exploitation.
Forgive me white readers, I love ya'll, but this is some out of touch white people shit right here. Not only is this reference dated, but if Idris Elba resembles O.J. Simpson, then Taye Diggs and I are identical twins. Ali Larter looks nothing like Nicole Brown Simpson either.
I really don't get that comparison, and I want to know why that was allowed to be printed in the New York Times of all papers. Are times that hard over at the paper that they don't bother editing out bullshit anymore?
In one quick swoop this writer has given yet another example of why not only do people pay less attention to critics, but why they don't bother with newspapers altogether.
You've got to be out of your rabbit ass mind to think about O.J. and Nicole while watching Obsessed. I want him to turn off his computer and then bang his head into the monitor. Maybe when he wakes up from the bump he'll start writing with same damn common sense.
A better way to conclude his film review would have been to ask why does Idris Elba sound like Tony Soprano throughout the movie?
I’m not ashamed to say that The Golden Girls is one of my all-time favorite sitcoms.
The show by and large is the original Sex & The City, only a funnier, geriatric version.The Golden Girls broke several television stereotypes and proved older people can still be funny, sexy, and engaging to audiences – even young ones.
Those four women were an inspiration to all of us who hope to one day become old enough to get a senior citizen discount at IHOP but still manage to get it in.
I didn’t realize so many other people who looked and jigged like me loved this show, too. Watching a bunch of older bitties talk about the nasty over cheesecake appealed to all. White hair love (or none at all, for that matter) was proven to be universally funny.
So it’s sad for me to learn of another cast member’s passing.
I loved me some Dorothy Zbornak. On a bored afternoon one day, I took one of those online quizzes that matched up your personality with a cast member from The Golden Girls.
I was deemed Dorothy, and because the character was so smart, quick witted, and funny as hell, I didn’t mind it.
But I just took another one a minute ago and I was called Blanche. This site just tried to call me a hoe on the low. Anybody know a good hacker?
Wait, am I supposed to say pause now or something that essentially means I’m too insecure in my masculinity that I can’t write sentences like the last couple of ones?
If so, one of ya’ll do it for me in the comments section. Mmk. Thanks.
Back on topic, hopefully Bea Arthur is somewhere with Estelle Getty cracking jokes and eating cheesecake.
I really, really, liked this show. I get the feeling that I’ve seen every single episode at least twice.
So much talent on and off the screen. Like Mitchell Hurwitz, who created another TV gem, Arrested Development.
The sad part is as great as The Golden Girls is I doubt it would air in this decade. They would probably take the concept and try to turn it into a reality show.
Some bullshit like “Old School Loving” or some nonsense of that sort.
A lot of networks just don’t seem to appreciate a good sitcom the way they used to. The same goes for great comedic talents like Bea Arthur.
The two-remaining cast members of the show each shared their thoughts about Arthur.
Rue McClanahan told Entertainment Tonight: “Thirty-seven years ago she showed me how to be very brave in playing comedy. I'll miss that courage. And I'll miss that voice.”
Betty White echoed her sentiments: “I knew it would hurt, I just didn't know it would hurt this much. I'm so happy that she received her Lifetime Achievement Award while she was still with us, so she could appreciate that. She was such a big part of my life.”
How nice. I hope my people are that kind to me at my funeral. You know, right before everyone breaks into “Get Me Bodied” and “My Dougie.”
I’m going to go ahead and end this with one of the best theme songs ever. Rest in peace, Bea.
OK, I'll be the first to admit that Beyonce's acting credits thus far don't suggest that she's well on her way to becoming the next Angela Bassett, but I don't find her to be the new Monica (have you seen Love Song) either.
Most people didn't see Cadillac Records (not that I blame you or anything) so I think people missed out on what to me was the first glimpse into Beyonce's potential as an actress. She did a very good job and earned herself a lot of accolade for her acting chops. Unfortunately, I get the feeling Obsessed is about to make many forget about all of the praise she enjoyed in the fall.
This movie looks like a recession version of Fatal Attraction. It seems so cheesey and really really bad. I'm not sure what type of bad yet. There are really awful movies that I love. The Last Dragon would be a prime example of such. It's one of my favorite movies ever. Sho'Nuff.
Then you have movies that are bad in a terrible way. Think films like Howard The Duck. While I still enjoy the theme song, the rest of the movie is a repressed memory that I hope never resurfaces.
No matter what category Obsessed ends up being placed in the fact that I'm bringing up these sort of films just goes to show how this is a downgrade for Beyonce. I like the fact that she's finally not playing a singer. I don't like the fact that it's this.
Listen to the way she says, "She ain't plain." Listen to the way she says, "I'll show you crazy." Can you tell the difference? Yeah, me either.
No need to worry about whether or not I'm going to see this. Of course I am. I'm planning to see it today. I may have not gone to see Cadillac Records in theaters, but in my stan defense, it's only because I found out Beyonce didn't appear in the movie until the end.
Do you know how much movies cost? Take the figure then square it since it's a movie I would have no interest in had Beyonce's name not have been attached to it. Too expensive in my book. This, not so much.
Is anyone else going to see it? Don't lie. You can tell me even if you're only going to see it to laugh at Beyonce. I'm hoping it turns out better than it looks. At the very least, I really hope Beyonce murks the mess out of Ali Carter Larter.
But after this movie hits DVD in three weeks I pray Beyonce starts reading other scripts. She needs something to really challenge her. Something like a fat crack head. I know, I know: crack heads aren't fat. That's why I said something challenging.
A drumstick in one hand and a rock in the other. C'mon Queen Bey, show me your range.
I need for every nawfer who goes out of their way to shit on the South and the way we jig to cease and desist.
As much as I've come to like club music, you folk in Baltimore dance just as raunchy and 'country' as folks in the Boot, the A, and the H. I've heard so many people up nawf say, "Eww. Ya'll are so vulgar."
Please don't say this video is an example of the classier way to jig. I see boys who look no older than 10 grinding on women twice their size. What is this supposed to be? Some freaky version of Jack and the Beanstalk?
I don't know if I want to call child protective services or the nearest free clinic.
Look at the guy who laid on the ground and the girl who got on him and proceeded to show us all how to make a baby and/or catch a regular bump on our mouths. What is that dance supposed to be? The Amtrak? I see why the DMV area is battling parts of Sub-Sahara Africa for the title of STD capital.
In B-More's defense, judging from the comments on the page I found this on (look, I'on like the site, but I have to find stories for work, ya dig?), those little future cases aren't doing a club dance in the beginning. Apparently that's the Wu-Tang (which I had never heard of until I saw Fresh's twitter) and it's out of Philly. That's even worse because I've met plenty of Philly folk who sound three days removed from slavery calling me the country one.
And the fact that the site could confuse the dances just goes to show ya'll aren't the only ones who can easily be lumped in together.
I hate when people say all southern music sounds the same. No it doesn't. Screw doesn't sound like bounce. Bounce doesn't sound like Dallas boogie. Dallas Boogie doesn't sound like Miami Bass. And none of these songs sound like the stuff they remixed and branded crunk in Atlanta.
Oh and New Yorkers, don't even try to distance yourselves. I got three words for you: Chicken Noodle Soup. Actually, two more: Lean Back.
So the moral of the story is ya'll up thurr are just as nasty and ign't as everyone else, and the South is diverse. You might as well embrace the latter fun fact because we're still shit'n on you hoes. No one is trying to do that Arab money dance at any club outside of the Tri-state area, and I for damn sure am not laying on the sticky, nasty ass ground to reenact a homemade hood porno.
Edit: If you can't see those bad ass kids in the YouTube link, click here.
I've known for a while now that Chick-fil-A shoulder leans to the conservative side of the political spectrum. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that them closing their restaurants on Sunday suggested that the company is headed by Evangelical Christians. I never grumbled about their decision to do so either; I actually respect them for it.
I wish more companies that claimed to represent certain values would run their businesses as such. It would be great if I could get my 24 nuggets, or two sandwiches with wheat and provolone (I learned about wheat and provolone from a friend) any day of the week, but if people are that strong in their views I'll glady wait until Monday.
But there are some cases where a company's view of the world might prevent me from supporting them. I'm not entirely sure if this is an example of such yet.
It's been brought to my attention that there is a bit of an uproar over Chick-fil-A supporting those who participated in the tea party protest. Honestly, I found most of those people to be hypocrites whining because their side loss. If they were that pressed about high taxes and big government they would have tossed an ocean's worth of tea bags at the White House when Bush ran it into the ground over eight years. I see this protest as nothing more than political posturing not worth paying close attention to.
I had a feeling the company supported John McCain in the last election.
Still, I love their food. I'm sorry, but I do. It's so good. They use peanut oil, which is healthier than what the other fast food chains are fryin their stuff in. Speaking of other fast food joints, sometimes I have to wonder whether or not I'm really eating chicken or "chik'n." I don't have those fears when I enter a Chick-fil-A.
The staff members are typically polite (sans this jackass colored lady at one location in Houston), and they often giveaway free food. Once because I was the 100th customer of the day I got my meal comped. Another time I drove at NASCAR speed so I could get the free chicken biscuit the location nearest me was handing out to frequenters.
The food is so so good. They're not even stingy with the condiments. These days a cashier at McDonalds is ready to start a shootout if you ask for extra sweet and sour sauce. Or so I've heard. I haven't been to a McDonalds in quite a while. Their nuggets are usually pretty good, too, after the club, but eh, I don't go. Same for Wendys.
But you know, neither has anything on Chick-fil-A. That is, unless one or the other is willing to sponsor this blog and my life.
OK, what I was talking about again? Sorry, I got lost in a sea of breaded chicken.
Oh, the political stuff. Yeah. Alright, people are upset because a lot of these tea bag protestors are racist as hell. I saw some of the scenes. A lot of those illiterate jackasses were throwing out age old stereotypes to insult Obama. Yawn.
However, I kind of see why people would be upset. Why toss your money behind an event catering towards a certain faction of society inclined to dabble in bigotry?
And it's not just this tea party protest either. They tossed a lot of money behind Proposition 8. In case you haven't caught on yet, I'm pretty left of left in terms of my political views. I wasn't happy about the decision (although I know it will eventually change).
So does that mean I should stop supporting Chick-fil-a?
My first reaction is NOOOOOOOOOOOO.
My second: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
Third: PLEASE NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Fourth: Hell no.
But then, if I met with the family that runs Chick-fil-A, they'd probably send me to hell. :|
I try not to throw my money behind companies that support any form of discrimination. I've read about Walmart's alleged mistreatment of its employees, but damn, they're cheap. Actually, I hate going into most Walmarts.
In fact, a month or so ago someone took me to the location on Crenshaw. Before you even ask, it was not my idea. When I went in there, it seemed like the location should only be allowed to sell coke...and I don't mean the kind that comes in a can.
Yet when I go online, I look at the prices and think, "I love you Target, but they're cheaper right here."
Am I hypocrite? I have the desire to use my purchasing power correctly, but I have to be rationale: Some shit is too high, and a deal is a deal.
If I can't even shake Walmart completely, how could I ever do the same with Chick-fil-A?
Fortunately, I don't have to make a choice yet. I don't know of any standalone locations in LA and I don't really frequent the mall like that anymore. It's not recession friendly.
Maybe I can write a letter to the Cathy family (who runs Chick-fil-A) before I ever think it buy another meal from them?
P.S. I doubt many of ya'll even care about this because you're too busy eating your leftover chicken from Popeye's. I know a bunch of ya'll went and got up on the 8 piece mixed 4.99 special yesterday. Gimme a biscuit.
I no longer have to prove my standom to you all. Ya'll know how I roll. Though I may offer some constructive criticism every now and then (shut up in advance, you...yes I do) I'm a firm Bey-liever. I am still a realist, though.
In 2007 when Beyonce was charging a nice amount to see her break it, pop it, pop it, break it, I had to make a difficult decision: Be responsible or see the Queen. With me recently graduating from college and mulling the decision to LA or NY (which didn't happen until this year, but whatever, things happen) I decided that it was best that I use my money for airfare and the job search.
To this day, I still think that was a stupid decision. Well, not really, but the DVD can only do so much, y'know? I thought I could go without because I had seen Beyonce perform several times in concert in only a few years so I was good.
I promised myself I would make up for it on the next tour. Now I'm not too sure. I mean, yes, I want to go, and likely will, but when am I going to meet the chick?
This is going on pitiful now. My brother has met her a couple of times because he went to middle school with little sister. I know several people that have met her through work. I have plenty of friends in Houston who met around the way or met her randomly. Take for example two friends I have who met her while vacationing in Vegas. Beyonce decided to roll up in the store they were shopping in and since she shut the place down they were locked in with her.
Then I get a call talking about how sweet she was, how pretty she is, and on and on. These were people who weren't even on her like that. You know the way most people should be on her. No, they were people who weren't even casual fans. I'm not jealous, I'm just saying. I'm happy for anyone who has come in contact with her greatness. It's just unfortunate I can't include myself in that group.
I've met just about every other member of Destiny's Child, though. Met Kelly while leaving Pappadeaux's. Met Michelle at my internship. She's funny...and quite hungry (she kept talking about boudain). Been at the same event with LeToya last fall. Hmm, I haven't met the other two, although that shouldn't be counted against me. One you barely see and the other was only in the group for the same length as commercial break.
So, it would be really nice to meet her. I've actually met my favorite artist ever already...musically that is. Met Mary J. Blige years ago. Really nice. So nice in fact she made the effort to call me to respond to a letter I gave to her. I met her at the same internship I met Michelle. I was prepared for Mary. Couldn't wait. She's the best. You have no idea.
But I've met that Queen. Now it's time for me to meet the other. :\
I was actually set to meet Beyonce at the same station I met Mary and Michelle, only the person who was supposed to call me the day she was in the studio didn't.
Same thing happened at another gig. And one after that. There were times where I found out I had just left the mall she had stepped in. Or stepped into some event the second she bolted.
I think you get the point. So close to the beauty, the lacefront, yet so far away.
I've gotten desperate.
"I Am...Beyonce" - Meet & Greet Package $1,000
"I Am...Fierce" - On Stage Package $625
"I Am...Bold" - Hot Seat Package $525
Regular Tickets $20.75-150.75
But not that desperate.
Look, I'm not even going to pretend I have 1,000 to just throw at a pop star for a deal that only entails me getting to hug them (possibly) and getting an autograph, but even if I did have it like that (I will eventually, God willing...no worries), I don't think I would do it.
I understand that yesterday was 4/20, but did her fan club staff light it up while coming up with these prices?
Do they realize it's a recession? You know what? Maybe this isn't for me. Maybe this is geared toward the children of the Chinese millionaires who have left Shanghai for New York because they heard America is on the verge of turning into one big flea market.
Or possibly the rich Arabs who control the oil fields. I don't know who exactly, but this can't be directed at Americans.
Even rich people are doing it real cheap. This bears repeating: They have heard of this recession, right?
Having said that, if any of you want to pay for me, email me.
Hey, I said I wouldn't pay for it even if I had it. I didn't say anything about someone else covering the bill for me.
As I watch Sheree discuss her favorite old clubs in Atlanta where I'm sure she was known for throwing shade at any woman blocking her view of the ballers, I smile because for once she doesn't sound like she's Queen of Georgia.
And then goes and fucks it all up with her concluding remarks about bloggers. Make no mistake, I look at some bloggers and I think, "Wow. You're evil." In fact, I've looked at some of my archives and go damn, do some of these people owe me money?
However, I don't buy into this theory that just because you're black I have to support you. Zora Neale Hurston put it best when she said, "All my skinfolk ain't kinfolk." It's not that I don't want to support my own. I do wholeheartedly. I went to an HBCU and in attending Howard I learned about the diversity of my people and I left with the feeling that even if I didn't like any particular person personally I still wanted them to succeed. I don't wish failure on anyone.
Now, when I first watched The Real Housewives of Atlanta my initial reaction was, "Who are these saddity ass chicks constantly rambling about how elite, rich, and fly they are?" But as the Sunday marathon kept going I found myself sucked in with the masses already hooked into this show.
As entertaining as these women are, what exactly are they doing that warrants them being free of criticism? They criticized every great person of faith that has walked the Earth. Why should we spare bragging women on a reality show?
Especially women who themselves put out an image that has since been proven not entirely factual. I've watched Sheree throw shade at NeNe, make comments about "rift raft," and talk slick about people in general. All of them were colored, so by her own logic shouldn't she be ashamed of herself for breaking Black solidarity?
When annoyed by anyone Black, instead of judging them she could have just smiled, tossed her fist in the air and proceeded to hum "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
You know, live by example, my sister.
She isn't the only one, though. I've heard Gabrielle Union talk slick about bloggers in the past and recently even Nefe tried to make it seem as if bloggers were the source of her pregnancy rumors when in fact it was she who said "I'm pregnant."
Here's a fun fact: No one in life owes you shit. Particularly if you are a celebrity. You are famous, or in most cases these days, simply infamous. You get paid to do things that are for the most part hobbies. If someone says something about you that you feel reeks of hate, suck it up and move on.
I've received plenty of emails calling me all types of names. You don't see me making a post themed around the concept that because I'm black all the black readers should be polite to me. so be nice."
But, if a blogger pulls a rumor out of their ass that turns out to be something to warrant legal action, file a suit. That I get, but other than that, shh on demanding black bloggers support you when you don't support everyone black yourself.
And if we're being really honest, some people need to tell their publicists to stop filling up the inboxes of bloggers. Even I get emails from people I don't want to hear rap, could care less about what they're wearing or who they're doing.
If Sheree and others really want our support, they should get more black folk hooked up with Nielsen boxes. I'll be sure to tune in to keep your ratings and pay up. I'm sure the other bloggers would, too. But don't strut on TV bragging on what you have and what others don't then ask for unity.
I've wanted to do a lot more updates this week, but in meeting daily deadlines for other sites I really haven't had the time to write as much as I would like here.
I'll do better, though. Well, hopefully. Next week is very important for me because I have to meet a deadline for something important. Yes, I'm purposely being vague.
In the meantime, I wanted to post some of my favorite entries from the blog. I noticed a lot of you all are new readers so you're likely unfamiliar with these.
Hopefully you'll check them out and enjoy. Then go and tell a friend. And get them to tell another. And on and on it goes until I have way more readers. Doesn't that sound fun? Of course it does!
Not to sound like an embittered old man, but I have a fear that many people 20 and below are unfortunate idiots.
My niece is 10, but she can read so I’m not worried about her. I’m more concerned about type of the children I remember tutoring during college. The ones that will turn 18 and still likely won’t be unable to pronounce half of the words written in an issue of VIBE.
But, for optimism’s sake, let’s just say Obama and his ‘fancy words’ as some people call them will inspire the youth of America to pick up a muthafuck—book.
Their vocabulary may be enhanced, but will their attitudes? One of the sites I write for has a very young demographic. The way they remix the spelling of words is a dead giveaway.
I really don’t want to rehash the Chrianna debate, but I’m a little put off by the comments of obvious middle and high schoolers.
Here’s one:
I love you chrisbrown… tell that *#$@@ rihanna that i am going to kill her in her sleep… i love you husband….
“Take You Down” is a nice song, but it’s not worth felony death threats.
And another:
“blah blah blah,rihanna need to shut her punk a** up. she been pissin me off for a while now. the b*tch got her ass handed to her. get the hell over it. i dont feel sorry for her. That giant grizzly is the same size and height as him, she got hands, feet and teeth she should got in his a** too. sh*t i feel sorry for chris, sh*t everybody tryin to act like the b*tch didnt do somethin to him. im just sayin, i wish i was rihanna and i was in that car that night. id a beat the yellow piss out that $~**~. choked his ass up, BIT HIS AZZ a few times. F*ck leavin em in the car so he could run off, id a dragged his azz right back to the hotel. he would a seen a real muthaf*ckin goon in action.”
Not only is this girl delusional, but she clearly has an old TV and a computer monitor from 1992. How else can you explain her thinking Rihanna is the same size as Chris Brown?
Girls like her annoy me. “I would’ve done this,” and “I would’ve done that.” Shut up. I’ve already read about how so many young girls side with Chris Brown over Rihanna. I know it’s due to a burgeoning libido and typical brainwashing, but damn, people want to kill her over Chris Brown?
Not to be outdone:
Will aint gay if he was he would act all fruity
These poor little naïve girls. It’s no wonder so many are battered, bruised, and diseased ridden these days.
As for the men, well, you've heard Soulja Boy speak, haven't you? Not to mention all of the Chris Brown apologists who have their own history of bobbing and weaving on females.
I'm afraid of writing this because I don't want my niece to whoop my ass, but I'm not a big fan of Miley Cyrus.
I respect her teeny bopper hustle in the tradition of Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, and even Britney Spears, but yikes, that girl is obnoxious sometimes. Particularly the way she seems to think she actually has enough clout to damage the careers of credible musicians.
To say, "I'm gonna ruin them [Radiohead], I'm gonna tell everyone" on radio made her seem like the annoying brat that all of her critics paint her to be. I don't know what planet she lives on, but girls like her come and go every decade so it's best to enjoy the ride and not piss off enough people to the point you won't even get a positive recap when VH1 summarizes the decade of your relevance.
Radiohead was right in pointing out her sense of entitlement, and hopefully someone her own age let's her know that she needs to stop taking herself so seriously.
I've never heard about Raven throwing a temper tantrum because someone didn't want to meet her?
That being said, Jamie Foxx to me went a little bit over the line in telling Miley to do a sex tape. Sure, that may very well be where she's headed judging from her penchant for posting softcore porn inspired photos on MySpace, but still. Miley is a 16-year-old girl.
Let's not do anything to draw comparisons to R. Kelly.
I imagine neither of her parents will do it because why anger the person who you get to both live vicariously through and profit off of.
We see how well that usually turns out.
Miley, meet your future...if you're lucky. This poor girl.
I like her and want her to win, but she still sounds like if she forgets to take her meds one day it's a wrap on the Magic Kingdom because she's going to blow it up.
I can understand why she might forget what city she's in, but what's with random tour outbursts like, "Thanks Vancouver, you were wonderful. Don’t smoke weed!” or wishing people "Merry Christmas" during their Spring Break?
And then there's "My pu--y was hanging out."
Where has she been? It's been hanging out for like ten years now.
Do her parents love her or do they just see dollar signs?
Kind of Lindsay Lohan's parents. Do I even need to explain her issues?
Poor thing can't even get her movies to theaters now. She's one more bad month away from co-starring with Vivica Fox in Fourteen Can Play The Game.
White people, what's up with ya'll folk? I always get on mine, so I need group participation.
And don't even try to front like there aren't white readers here. I've looked at my staff counter. I don't know any Black people in Romania. I appreciate the love, so love me back by explaining the other color of crazy.
As a peace offering, I'd like to name one white girl who doesn't seem insane: Meghan McCain.
She's the biological child of John McCain yet she still manages to make sense. I can't remember the last time I've used the phrase "make sense" in reference to Republican. Truthfully, I'd even say I would consider voting for her one day, which unintentionally makes me question my own sanity.
Her dad doesn't really strike me as the sanest man around, yet here she is, with a lick of sense going at it with the other loonboons of her party.
I’ve been going back and forth about writing an entry on this for a while now. I wasn’t sure if it was worth addressing, but the more time goes on I find myself becoming incredibly irritated.
I’m glad that people of my generation are stepping outside of the box a bit in terms of their appearances. I typically find challenging the status quo in any shape or form to be a good thing.
Yet, to me there is a fine line between daring to be different and dying to be that way.
Everyone wants to be “different.” No one wants to be like anyone else. I’m all for individuality, but I never feel like I go out of my way to garner a certain perception from people.
You either are different or you’re not. A change of clothes, or in Cassie’s case, a change in hairstyle can only go so far.
I read a lot of the comments about her new hairstyle on her Twitter and some were gushing about how much of a ‘rock star’ she was, how ‘edgy’ she now appears, and how ‘different’ she is.
Even Cassie herself seems to be quite proud of her decision to put half her scalp on display:
“Sometimes in life you need a change. Something deeper than what you thought you were capable of. Something that displays the “I don’t give a f—ck attitude. Something that makes you look at this whole wide world differently…and something that will shock your mother, but make her call you a ROCK STAR.”
I twittered back to her: “Girl, it's just a haircut. You going hard on Good Fri, huh?”
And added: “But I'm sure you're about to have a bunch of girls walking around like 1983 this summer. Love the single.”
She didn’t respond. Shocker.
Maybe it’s my own way of thinking clouding my better judgment, but all she did was cut her hair and give the blogs a reason to talk about her throughout the weekend into Monday morning.
I’m inclined to think part of her rationale was based on the fact that she has failed in her efforts to try and create a buzz for her sophomore album. I mean, she caught a brick with Lil’ Wayne last year. How do you catch a brick with Wayne on the track?
She had to do something, no? It was either that or be naked. I believe she’s already tried that, and when you’re that thin, there’s only so much you can show.
I don’t really care what she does with her scalp, but I’m more annoyed by the intent and the subsequent response.
Everyone wants to be the cool kid and now more than ever people get way too pretentious about something aesthetic – which in my opinion shows just how shallow people can be. And surprise, surprise it’s innate for everyone to posses a hint of shallowness. Someone send this to all of the “different folk.” Let’s see if the truth about their own roles in homogeneity shakes them.
Generally speaking, I’ve been tired of all of these pseudo intellectuals who base their self-worth on what they're wearing, or better yet, who they're copying.
I read a lot of different blogs and I see how seriously people take themselves over what decade they choose to dress like.
Funny that when Britney Spears chopped her hair she didn’t say anything about it; she didn’t have to. We can tell it was a statement: Her ass was losing her mind.
I’m not saying Britney Spears is the deepest ocean, but I’m sure you get why I’m saying.
Oddly enough, the only artist who seems to share my viewpoint is one whose sac some would be cool kids cling to (at least on the rock end):
"Don't try to be different. Because when you try to be different, you end up being the same. Because everybody's trying to be different. What you've got to do is to just be you. But if that doesn't work, then that isn't what you should be doing.”
Thank you, D.A.R.E. don't. Young moolah, baby. All that.
In closing: Please read more, people. That way you’ll realize shopping at Nordstroms, listening to Solange, N.E.R.D., Chester French, and dressing like a nerd with an exposed scalp doesn’t make you that different or that deep.
It just means you’re like everyone else: Trying to find yourself and in the same breath be noticed by people…only possibly with a better sense of style.
Let me repeat it again: Please read more, people.
That way if you ever find yourself to be a celebrity (that is, outside of your mind and on the internet), you won’t take to your fan site ala Jessica Simpson and write drivel like this:
Why do we let the sun SET with its beauty, then find ourselves ugly.
Didn't God, whoever he may be to you, create both? If a sunset is beautiful, then so are we.
Love yourself morning, noon, and night. Sunrise. Sunset.
Xo jess
Bless Jessica Simpson’s heart. Oddly enough, I still buy this way more than Cassie’s fake-poem about her haircut.
Glenn Beck is a special type of stupid. He possesses the kind of ignorance where paranoia, bigotry, and irrationality all have one long orgy in his big dense head. I try my best to never listen to him speak, but whenever I do I'm amazed at how he basks in his own loonbooness (fake words are in, ya'll).
I'm not surprised the likes of him have a loyal following. While I respect my President's Mariah Carey-like view of race relationships in our country, I'm not one to co-sign any sort of description of America that sounds too Utopian for my liking. Progress has been made, but hate mongers still run amok and one colored President isn't going to send them all into hiding that quickly.
In this video Glenn Beck and co. are ranting about protecting the constitutionalists. If you pay close attention to their comments, you can spot out all of the code terms that essentially blame the darker faction of the human race for most of the nation's current troubles.
So let these fun folks tell it, the digital coverter box is actually a book of democratic doom, and but of course, Barack Obama is bringing the country to its knees to blow communism.
Did you hear the person yell "burn the books." Clearly all of their parents did.
I'm dying laughing at the follow-up comment. "Burn the ones in college...the brainwashing books." I can see why evolution would threaten them. They sound about as involved as a big rock.
Or maybe that's the brainwashing I apparently got in college kicking in.
If these people were so gung ho about protecting this country's founding principles, where were their whiny asses the last eight years?
President Bush remixed the constitution yet I didn't hear anything about a tea party/bitch session.
These people are the white equvialent of the Black Israelites standing on top of a crate on the CVS on Georgia Avenue in D.C. yelling about revolution at 10:00 on a Saturday night.
Do you know what I want for my birthday other than money, more money, some hmm...topped with money?
My dotcom put together. So it's been a month now and while the basics are there I have ran into a bit of trouble.
Now, I don't know anything about coding, but someone mentioned the source of my problem being related to an issue with anchor codes. Another said something about spacing codes. All of this is a bunch of jargon I don't know.
What I do know is the site is looking a little janky if it's not opened in a full browser and I need to get that fixed asap.
So who knows CSS or knows someone who knows CSS? I've contacted people that friends have recommended to me with no response.
I get people are busy, but I need to get busy with moving on. As of now, it's still going to essentially be the same layout only with a few different tools related to the blogging software, but as I make plans to do more things with the site I need to get this out of the way.
That being said, if you know someone gon' tell me who. If you don't know what CSS is either just drop me a prayer that I get it together.
Or you can toss some suggestions in the comments section about things you'd like me to try tackling on this here blog.
The more I think about it, the more I realize I don't really need to be stripping. That is, not long term anyway. Thus, I have to continue building with what I have.
1. I like him, but can we stop acting like President Obama is the Jesus remix now?
2. Is there anything else going on but the rent?
3. Was Halle Berry and the Harper’s Bazaar editors going for the Beyonce 20 years older and 40 pounds later look?
4. What decade is this?
5. So Donnie McClurkin compares being gay to being a diabetic. The ghey used to be compared to incest and bestiality. Should we call this progress?
6. By the way:
I’m a diabetic now and I don’t eat sugar, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t want sugar. The more I don’t eat the sugar, the more I lose the taste for sugar and the more my diet starts to change permanently – I can’t stand a regular soda now because it’s too much sugar. So, the more I don’t intake the sugar, the more it leaves out of my desire.
Isn’t this a flawed analogy? Like basically saying I'm gay but I won't give head. In the end, aren’t you still on team peen – just riding the bench?
No pun intended.
7. He seems like a nice guy, but am I the only one who has trouble making out HarlemHeights cast member Jason’s accent?
More and more I read comments from music artists ranting about haters or people being too negative to their liking. To be fair, many are correct in there being miserable folks out there who are nothing but hostile, embittered, jealous jackasses with nothing better to do than take shots at people out of spite.
However, many more artists incorrectly link any form of criticism to some level of hatred and jealously. I can't help but think this has more to do with them not liking anyone who doesn't constantly remind them that their shit doesn't stink than anything else.
I see she's aware that people have been talking about her and has decided to respond with:
Q:People are talking about the similarities between Beyonce’s choreography and your choreography. I know what you were going for...
A:Right, I got inspired by the Vegas show, but go ahead. What do you want to know?
Q:How do you even address that? Have you seen the screen grabs?
A: I don’t think there’s really anything to address. I think it’s very, very funny. And you know what my response is to that? For the ones that have something negative to say? They must have really enjoyed it that much to go and nitpick it, because it’s something they pulled up and was like, “Yo!” There were a couple of things in there that I’ve never seen. I think that it’s important for us as artists to be original and to create something new, so it would be really silly of me to go and create something you’ve already seen. So not one time were any of my references another artist. My references were clearly inspired from shows that I’ve actually seen. It goes to show how creative we can be and how close the worlds are. I did my first video with my metal outfit. I was inspired by Thierry Mugler. Now, from my understanding, Beyonce is using Thierry Mugler for her tour. It just is what it is. It’s very petty to me. When people nitpick something and they say negative things, my response to that is they really must have liked it that much. They just said, “This just can’t be! We gotta find something!” That’s also the definition of a person having too much time on their hands to do nothing. That’s how I look at that.
This was prefaced by an intro where the writer sarcastically mocks the legitimate opinions about the "Love Sex Magic" video with the trivial cop out, "It's just Bey stans ranting."
Can we please stop acting like this is just an instance of overzealous Beyonce stans launching another form of Beehad?
I don't recall anyone ever saying "...and on the eighth day God created Beyonce and her lacefront."
But: Not only am I not blind, but my lips aren't permanently attached to Ciara's ass so I don't have to pretend to ignore the obvious for a check. There have been plenty of images used to highlight Beyonce's copycat antics so why not call a spade a spade about Ciara and move on.
Stop enabling these artists.
First Ciara says: "I think that it’s important for us as artists to be original and to create something new, so it would be really silly of me to go and create something you’ve already seen."
Then she comes with, "My references were clearly inspired from shows that I’ve actually seen."
Which is it?
It doesn't even matter because Ciara's biggest hit to date has a beat that was used twice already. "Goodies" is a generic version of "Freek-A-Leek" which borrows heavily from the beat for "Yeah!"
I like the song, but c'mon.
And isn't the beginning of "Never Ever" exactly like "That's The Way Love Goes?"
Hey, if it's not original, who cares so long as it's good. But if you know you're not exactly groundbreaking, why parade yourself as such?
The only thing worse than a pretentious artist is a pretentious artist who hasn't done nearly as much as they seem to believe they have.
I happen to think she's a good dancer, but I've noticed her routine has been limited to three dance moves lately: Muscle butt shake one, muscle butt shake two, and matrix.
A move that ain't all that brand new either, by the way.
Thank you, Siyclone, for the image.
I don't really care if she copies, but if your music isn't on point and you're acting like you're really bringing it, don't be surprised if people who know better say something about it.
When I write that I think she could be doing more than squatting in sex positions on camera, maybe that's my way of saying she's talented enough to where she doesn't have to try so hard.
Or that if you look looked at her chart history, she may noticed that she didn't have to lick anyone's ear to create buzz for her project. I'm all for people embracing their sexuality, but far too many people rely on that to advance.
But no, I'm negative, I'm one of the worst people alive because I align myself with the people who don't want to toss Ciara any singles.
Her album has been pushed back several times and the only reason she's managed to get a hit now after so many tries is that she relied on someone's else celebrity for extra spins on a track that sounds like a leftover from FutureSex/Love Sounds (of Prince).
This is exactly why so many people don't even bother monetarily supporting artists anymore. They all work with the same stylists, producers, and songwriters all trying to do the exact same thing that's usually played out already anyway.
And they call get the same result: A cheap hit here, a little stardom there, and then they fizzle away before you know it.
When talented people rely too heavily on gimmicks that work against what spurred their popularity from the jump, they typically end up falling off.
Oh, there I go hating again. I must have too much time on my hands.
Speaking of that, Ciara spent all day shooting a video dedicated to the Beyonce anthology and Magic City. I took twenty minutes to call her out for swagger jacking hoe shit.
Who really needs to work on how to better spend their time?
For most of my life I've been compared to people I don't think I look anything like.
As I've previously mentioned, when I was a kid with teeth taller than me I got called Bucky O'Hare. Once the baby fat turned just fat, baby, I remember a girl called me Theodore from The Chipmunks in middle school. Fat and mean at the time, I called her something that I'd rather not repeat on here.
Once I thinned out a bit, Tiger Woods' popularity soared -- as did my comparisons to him.
After a while I went from cablanasian to ca-crackhead. More and more people said I looked like a fake ass Debarge. Chico to be exact. In fact, there was a girl who called me Chico throughout college.
I called her skinny ass Trina out of spite.
Then once I graduated, Maxwell decided to wake up from hibernation and find himself a barber. For some reason Maxwell without the hair looked like me everyday of the week to some folks.
As of late, though, all I seem to get is Chris Brown and warnings not to hit on Rihanna. I just got my fourth comparison to Chris Brown on Saturday during a house party.
I was standing next to a light skinned girl with a cut like one of Rihanna's. The kind that doesn't remind people of Prince or Michael Jackson circa Bad era.
Most of the time, I brush off those comparisons, but after twice being compared to a certain someone from Making The Band, I'm ready to research elective surgery.
Wait, not really, but I said that to be dramatic. Did it work?
No? Well, wouldn't you react funny to being compared to Quanell Mosley?
I don't think we look that much alike. He's skinny with big teeth. I know that description applies to me, too, but I don't know, ya'll. I don't see it.
On top of that, someone told me I sound like him. My response, "Is that your way of saying I sound like a bitch?"
He told me that's not the way he meant it, but when I think Que from Making The Band, I don't think, "Yeah, that's the dude you want people to compare you to."
I don't really too much care for my voice. It's one reason why I deflected from suggestions that I get into radio and channel my inner Wendy Williams and Star. That and syndication killed the lives of most jocks.
Anyhow, I asked a few people if they found this comparison to be true. My brother said no, arguing that Que's voice is higher than mine. My friend said hell no then proceeded to look at me stupid for even asking.
My sister said, "Oh no!" at the comparison alone, but then came right back with, "Well, ya'll do have a similar tone so I hear it." She then quickly added, "But you don't bitch out like that."
A sister knows her brother.
My brother-in-law doesn't agree with her. I already liked him, but I think I like him even more now for that reason alone. She still says we do indeed sound alike. Meh.
Both disagreed that I look like him.
But that's what I heard on Friday. Sitting at a restaurant, a friend of a friend started looking at me and said, "You know, you look a lot like Que from Making The Band."
My friends both laughed as they could guess my quick reaction.
Even though I don't think I look or sound all that much like him, maybe I would be more inclined to brush off comparisons to dude if he didn't seem so damn crazy on the show.
I've read his Twitter. He blames it on editing. Yeah, whatever. The thing about editing is that while story editors and producers do very much twist events around and piece things together that likely didn't happen on screen as it did in real time, they're still going by footage you gave them.
So if you're in front of the cameras acting like your ass needs a hug and a prescription, what do you expect producers of a TV show to do? Talk about you in dance class?
I had to pause the TV so many times because he was getting on my damn nerves. I don't normally get worked out over a show, but damn, did anyone else want to reach through the screen and knock the hell out of him?
He seems like a nice person at the core, but a tad bit touched. If he keeps getting out of pocket maybe Day 26 should replace him with Babs Bunny.
I prefer being called a fake ass Chico Debarge. He may be out of his mind and strung out, too, but at least the cameras aren't on him.
The homie, the lovely and talented Maiya over at Blind I, sent me an image over the weekend that I couldn't go without posting about.
The lady who looks like a gentleman in the picture was in Mai's hair salon getting a flat top. I understand that people have been trying to bring this hairstyle back for a while now. I even spotted a guy with a flat top at a club last fall.
He looked like a stretched out version of first grade.
Is this a hairstyle we really want to come back, folks? There were so many good things about 1990 that could all come back.
Will Smith could come back to TV. Julia Roberts could give us another good movie like Pretty Woman. Madonna could return to a face that didn't need Adobe Photoshop so much. My sister used to bump Kool G. Rap. I'll take that. Public Enemy's Fear of a Black Planet, too.
Hell, I'll even take back Hammertime.
For all of the good things that came out in the early 90s, there were plenty of bad fads. The fanny pack is a good example. Unfortunately, I spotted people rocking those things last year, too.
And now this. When will it end? The recession? We had one of those in the early 90s, too. And the early 80s, which is the fashion trend that's still fighting to stick around. Are ya'll not noticing a pattern here?
Dress like 1998 when America had some money.
Now I had a flat top in the 90s myself.
So I understand the appeal. I liked my lil' flat top...back then. But you won't find me with one now. Why? Because in hindsight no one should willingly walk around trying to look like an eraser.
I realize I'm entering that stage of my life where I can recognize previous trends that people barely alive think are brand new and thus want to try on themselves. Yet part about growing older besides the cheaper car insurance is that you get to forget some things.
I'd like to forget the flat top. But with my luck in three weeks I'll see a bunch of dudes in skinny jeans with flat tops wearing fanny packs.
As you've noticed by now, I've become more comfortable with solicitation on The Cynical Ones. So comfortable I'm doing it right now.
While I appreciate those of you who have hit me up to say you enjoy my other blog on The Root, "The Recession Diaries," I need more people to start contributing letters. I've hit up friends and gotten great material, and when MSN picked up my piece about my plight with student loans, I got a lot of emails from people wanting to share their own experiences.
However, things have started to dry up so which leads me to this post.
If you know would to like to discuss your experiences with the current economic crisis, please email me your story at therecessiondiaries@gmail.com. If you know of anyone else who might be interested in submitting a letter, please forward them this post.
I'm trying my best to get as many different experiences as possible. Some of been downright depressing while others have been incredibly motivating. In short, I'd like both and all that fit in between.
I want to continue putting my best foot forward, and I can only do so by getting as much feedback as possible. I've been getting from people who tell me I never mention any of my other writing gigs with them. Eh, very guilty of that, but hey, I'm telling you now...at least about this one anyway.
So if you could be so kind, help the cause.
Oh and if you're wondering what the hell that is in the picture, it's a dead raccoon. I stumbled along the story via a post by Fresh @ C+D and after reading the article in full and watching the video, I had to post about this on The Recession Diaries.
How can you not write about someone who calls himself "The Coon Man" and argues folks aren't ready for the tough times because they're not out in their backyard hunting for supper.
Will this week end already? Yeah, two posts are coming (or at least should be), but until then let the baby serenade you. I swear I'm about ready to murk half the world, but then I step back into my room, check my twitter, and see a video of this cute lil' kid and her off beat pops (at the end).
Dallas, I'm grateful for the buffoonery and jigs you have provided me over the last year and a half, but ya'll have officially lost me -- that is, until you come up with another dance in about six hours.
When someone told me via Twitter (shameless plug time: follow me) that there was a dance named after Keyshia Cole's mama I anticipated something ignorant yet danceable. Unfortunately, this dance comes a little too close to how a crack head would operate.
Wait, no saying that is disrespectful to all of the crackheads I used to see get it on Georgia Avenue.
Ya'll don't understand: I really wanted to like it despite no longer being all that great a fan of Franky (I thought it was spelled "Frankie," which sounds better to me, but whatever) herself. But this looks really ridiculous. For a second I wasn't even sure if this dance was really a homage to Franky whatever her last name is.
This is me after viewing dude in the front and the rest of the members of Day 26 show off the Franky:
That is not how I normally react to ign't southern dances. What's going on, Dallas? Are kids out there reading all of a sudden and now find themselves too busy to dance?
Like Kiki77868, I thought:
i am liking dis song but who da hell is franky
is they talking bout keyshia cole mama, frankie lymons, somebody from they crew...i just need to know who da hell is franky
Because clearly drop it the flo', pick it back up, vibrate ya hips make a n---- wanna... would not dance to this. Not even after her eleventh glass of Hennessy. To tell you the truth, I don't like the song that much either.
I caught a 2:00 p.m. showing of the movie on Friday and the theater was nearly packed. My immediate reaction was, "People actually want to see this?!" I came out of loyalty, but I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that so many people came out for it. Beyonce did non-stop press all week, I've seen ads for the film for months now, and well, what would you rather do on a weekend: Spend $10 to see Beyonce whoop some crazy broad or slap yourself silly with your stack of bills?
I’ve been going back and forth about writing an entry on this for a while now. I wasn’t sure if it was worth addressing, but the more time goes on I find myself becoming incredibly irritated.
