Random Thoughts...

1. Why is Jeremiah Wright more important than the economy, New Orleans, Iraq, and gas prices?

2. So now that AT&T is going to offer the new 3g iPhone for $199 with a 2 year contract... are the $499 people pissed yet? I think I may hold out for the $99 special.

3. If you’re truly ‘safe only,’ then why do you get HIV tests and post the results in your profile?

4. When will people stop looking for Hannah Montanas to raise their kids? Her posing nearly nude is a chance for you to teach your bratty ass kids a lesson.

5. Just when I was about to break out the fatigue shorts and flip flops... winter came back.

6. Anyone know of Spanish lessons in DC for less than $325 a quarter?

7. So You Think You Can Dance???? Guess I will find my new Danny... May 22

8. As if plane tickets weren't already sky high... with the possible consolidation of 4 airlines is only going to make this worse.

9. What was the point of invading Iraq if we weren't going to get cheaper oil? I mean damn you could at least get something out of this stupid war.

10. So happy my bestfriend is coming to visit from Cali next week... I need some time with the person that knows me best.

The NEW LAPD

Remember back in the day getting caught by the LAPD was a sure bet that you would get your ass beat, hopefully a little camera time, maybe a little sympathy outside of your community, and of course a couple sinister smiles from officers that knew they were going to get off.

Well the NYPD has become the new LAPD. In the case of Sean Bell...

“The defendants are not guilty of all charges,” Queens Supreme Court Justice Arthur Cooperman declared. “The burden was on the people to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Each defendant was assumed to be innocent.” Cooperman said
justification was used as a defense, he had to consider the “mindset of the defendants, not the victims. What the victims did, was more important to resolve the issues at hand than what was in their minds.”

Click here for the full story and back story.

Real World 20:2

Real World: Hollywood Ep. 2 Let's Not Get Ghetto

The second episode was all about two people totally disappointing me. First was the resident cutie Will. I find it incredibly disturbing when someone actively pursues someone that is in a relationship. And Will has done just that, even went as far as asking another roommate to help him get this girl. Out of all the available people in the house and in Hollywood why would you pursue someone you have known for less than a week and truly have no connection with. All I could think of is if he would do this to someone in a relationship... what would he do when he is in one.

The second incident revolved around our southern belle, Kimberly. In the midst of an arguement with stripper/singer Brianna over the number of house guests, Kimberly says, "Let's not get ghetto." I tell you one of the draw backs of pop culture is that it affords people the right to say ignorant shit without even knowing the meaning behind it. Later on as she is discussing the incident with Sarah she makes yet another grand statement, "I don't care where you are from... the most inner city, blackville, you don't act like that" "I didn't mean it as a racial thing."

The drama was later squashed at least for now by the help of none other than Mr. Arrogant himself, Greg. Which I found quite surprisng that the self centered "model" payed that much attention or put that much energy into helping bring two roommates back together at least for now.

Of course the other 30 minutes of the show were all about the roommates partying and drinking. Makes me wonder what the hell the roommates are doing during the day that MTV chooses not to show that.

No Words

What does Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and Foxxy Brown have in common?

They all will turn church into a photo op.

Real World 20:1

“This is the true story... of seven strangers... picked to live in a house...work together and have their lives taped... to find out what happens when people stop being polite... and start getting real...The Real World.”

Can you believe MTV's ground breaking series the Real World is on its 20th season? Now I haven't watched a full season of the Real World since RW15 Philadelphia... and probably only 12 of the previous 19, but for some reason this commercial for this season caught my attention.

Real World: Hollywood Ep. 1 Welcome To Hollywood

So this season began last night with a new twist. While producers chose 6 of the 7 roommates the last roommate was chosen in an online competition where fans of the site were allowed to vote in the person they wanted to see. And apparently they did a good job because their choice Greg is already rubbing the roommates wrong with his super arrogant persona and the fact he refers to people around him as "peasants", and to women as "associates". Then there is Joey the very muscular Johnnie Bravo look a like... who looks like while he can be deep at times may have some emotional issues. And surprisingly at the age of 24 had never left Illinois until now. Will is by far the most captivating for me. I am a sucker for the smile, but he seems a little pressed seeing he has liked 2 different roommates in the first two days of living in the house. Brianna the stripper and aspiring singer from Philly... already has drama on the first episode because before unpacking she finds out there is a bench warrant for her arrest back in Philly. But Brianna's legal troubles may be the clue to why there are rumors about 2 replacement roommates this season.

Hopefully this season will keep my attention... and hopefully it goes beyond the continuous arguing and constant drinking and partying. I mean damn don't people who live together for 2 months do more than that???

Painting Obama

Tim Toles for the Washington Post

One ole Long Ass Moan

So April's discussion centered around LM Ross' Manhood: The Longest Moan. The book is a story of four high school classmates all on a mission to be stars. Ty the writer, David the dancer, Browny the singer and Face the actor/model; all start in a short lived boy group that breaks up and sends each boy in search of their own fame and manhood. They all find unplanned surprises in a 20 year story that uncover the truths about friendship, trust, lust and sex. The back of the book asks, "In a twenty year span, who among them is destined for true greatness?"

Unfortunately Manhood: The Longest Moan was one ole long ass moan. I never made it past page 171 of a nearly 400 page novel. By page 171 I was not invested in any of the storylines, well maybe the story of Face, but every time I walked past the book I would think, "XX number of days till the meeting... I'll get to it later" And apparently out of the 12 people that made it to our meeting... 10 agreed and the other 2 are cordial with the author. I still never got an answer which of the four made it to greatness.

I don't think the book was bad it just didn't pull me in. Several people said the best part of the book were the last few chapters, to which I responded, I may never know then. Others mentioned that you had to get into the flow of the book and once you did you would love it. So when I asked when this flow began, we all assumed it was after page 171.

I may eventually finish Manhood, but for now I will turn my focus to Sister Souljah's Coldest Winter Ever.

Random Questions...

1. Why does every lil gay boy want to be a model or thinks they are a model?


2. I wonder why my birthday is quickly approaching, this Friday and I am unphased and don't really care?


3. Why do people at church assume that me and my friend I attend with are dating? Why can't people just be friends? Why must people always assume the extreme?


4. How was I convinced to go see Prom Night? Another hour and half of my life I will never remember.


5. OK... why is the Pope trying to hem up my commute on Thursday by holding mass at 830am at the new stadium by my house.


6. I want to get into tennis and spanish lessons this spring/summer. Anyone want to pay?


7. Why does doing favors for friends often bite you in the ass? You thought I was evil before but no more favors... unless it benefits me.


8. Book club "after the show" discussion was quite enlightening... topics of sex and sex practices opened my eyes to some friends I have known for almost 7 years. Do you really know your friends?


9. Are you burned out over this election yet?


10. Why am I not as excited about my pending freedom as I thought I would be?

The Hidden Racisim

A week ago today my Regional Director about the assassination of MLK and how things have and haven't changed in the last 40 years.

Sometimes our opinions flow along the same line and for most of this conversation it did. But what never ceases to amaze me is how some white people really don't have a huge grip on the real reality. Especially when it comes to institutional racism, which is where our opinions separated... not because he didn't agree, but because he didn't realize.We both agreed that yes we have come quite a long way but there is still a long way to go.

To drive home my point... I attempted to give him a few examples of institutional racism:

1. Have you ever noticed when it comes to the traffic report on the news, that they only focus on predominantly affluent or white traffic patterns and neighborhoods. The only time DC news stations even mention Prince George's County is if there is a major accident... even when 270 from Gaithersburg is free and clear.

2. The tying of school funding to their neighborhood property values instead of set rate per student across the board.

3. Or because the terrorist that are believed to have brought down the Trade Center... now never can an Arab American fly on a commercial flight without stares and eyes of wonder.

4. To bring the point home a little closer, I brought up a situation that happened last week when an existing client was reassigned to me because the organization delt with African American athletes. I was told, "I am sure you can get these guys to produce more than what they have in the past." However I don't think there was a malicious intent behind this and let him know that.

I think we have come a long way from April 4, 1968 but I often wonder will we ever live in a colorless society?

No Words

Hate is such a strong word... but this fool comes awfully close.

Orbitz Commercial featuring Marcus Patrick

A lot of words...

No Words

No Words

Sometimes I come across things... and simply have NO WORDS(Click Image to see Larger)

Discussing Pregnant Men

Sometimes when I am having lunch with my hetero friends, I feel like I'm in a zoo, better yet I feel like I am at a Senate hearing. Just replace my plate with a mic and my friends with a bunch of stodgy old white men.

The conversation today centered around transgender and the story that has been all around the news and even on my girl O's show the other day. I hadn't even taken two sips of the diet Coke before the first question was, "What is up with this woman who is a man having a baby?". The course of the meal was me talking and them and the table next to us listening...

I have never understood the transgender mentality or life. I have never once in my life had the desire to be a female. Never once thought my gayness was me being trapped in the wrong body. But I also told my lunch partners something I heard at my church... never judge someone else's struggle in life, you don't know where they are coming from or where they are going. And with that in mind regardless of how I really feel about it and its affects on others... I say to each their own.

We talked about how does a lesbian go to being married to a transgendered man. And to that again I do not understand either. But one thing I always give my hetero friends to think on is... "Are you straight because you have sex with the opposite gender, or is that just something you do because you are straight." I think that if people would remove sex from the equation and focus on the love... it would normalize things a lot more. I have had sex with women before... that doesn't make me straight. I nor is anyone I know gay because they enjoy sex with men but because they are attracted to them emotionally.

As for the child that will come from this situation... I honestly feel quite sorry for the child. I think a lot of times people make decisions that will affect others because they simply have the right to. Yes you have the right to reproduce because it is your body. But why bring someone else into your madness. People are just getting use to the idea of gay parents and even still with that children are taunted and teased. But can you imagine explaining your daddy is actually your mommy?!?! I think with everything people have to deal with in life sometimes we have the ability to limit the harm we bring on others.

Hopefully our lunch opened their mind to different things. Even if they don't agree or do not like we all should be respectful to other's decisions to live their life.

Why Corporal Punishment Should be Back in School?

Cops Say 3rd-Graders Plotted Attack
By RUSS BYNUM, AP

WAYCROSS, Ga. (April 1) - A group of third-graders plotted to attack their teacher, bringing a broken steak knife, handcuffs, duct tape and other items for the job and assigning children tasks including covering the windows and cleaning up afterward, police said Tuesday.

The plot involving as many as nine boys and girls at Center Elementary School in south Georgia was a serious threat, Waycross Police Chief Tony Tanner said.School officials alerted police Friday after a pupil tipped off a teacher that a girl had brought a weapon to school. Tanner said the students apparently planned to knock the teacher unconscious with a crystal paperweight, bind her with the handcuffs and tape and then stab her with the knife.

When I was in elementary school... I was worried about winning the relay, the upcoming Christmas play, if i could make my hand turkey better than last year. When we cut up it was taking too long in the restroom... pushing someone at recess... or ignoring the safety guard. In my day there was corporal punishment... you acted up you were taken to this closet and spanked with a paddle after your parents were called.

What the hell is going on with these kids?

Does This Girl Ever Rest...

Listen to Beyonce - Beautiful Nightmare

Don't Meet the Browns

Dear Tyler,

That was some bullshit and you know it.

I have never been a huge fan of yours and often rejected this notion that you are showing black America on film. In fact the only thing missing from this film was a monkey and black face. But after your last movie, Why Did I Get Married?, I thought your craft was improving. And then you went and created this bullshit.

It was too my horror that my favorite Emmy and Academy Award-nominated, and Golden Globe winning actress who has flawlessly played many great characters was reduced to star in this film. It truly must be a hard time in Hollywood for black actresses. And for the record she is the ONLY reason I went to see what I figured would be total nonsense.

I haven't seen all the many Madea plays but even I noticed you made Mr. Brown's wife his daughter in the movie... and what was the point of Medea and the car chase, that had absolutely nothing to do with the story and seemed like a last minute chance for you to dress in drag yet again. The storyline was so predictable and unbelievable at the same time. For example, it just so happens the person recruiting Lance Goss' character in Chicago happens to live down the street from your family in some small ass town in Georgia. I could go on and on.

The directing of my high school musical my senior year was ten times better... the editing was choppy.. the storyline was unrealistic and not believable at all. Tyler you owe me $11.25. Actually seeing the beautiful Angela Basset was probably worth $3... but I want my change.

CBW

Where Da Hell You Been?!?!

Yeah I know it has been a week but hell I was busy with family and travelling.

So I actually decided to go to the nonsense wedding I blogged about last month. Flying to the middle of west Texas is always an excruciating experience. And when I tell you it was a complete and utter ghetto mess. OOOOOO I wish I had taken a picture or two of this. And most of you may think 'this bourgeois asshole would call anything ghetto' but when the usher is walking down the aisle with one of those Bic Lighter guns with a ribbon tied around it... what else can it be.

So of course my first question to my mother when she told me my 26yo cousin with no career, no degree, and removable gold fronts was marrying a 36yo woman was Is she pregnant or desperate? Well seeing her waddle down the aisle answered both questions to the affirmative. I just looked at my cousin from Florida and mouthed... told you so. So after the wedding I tell my mother... I told you she was pregnant, I get a response well we didn't know she was always shaped funny. At that moment I was officially done and ready to fly back to Dallas.

Now don't get me wrong the highlight of the trip was definitely seeing my mother, grandparents, great aunts and cousins... but the Erykah Badu concert featuring the Roots was everything. I had just seen Erykah six months ago at the Verizon party at Love Nightclub here in DC. But when I tell you Badu carried on and on. It is rare when a true R&B singer gives you a show at a concert and that is definitely what she does. She is so entertaining to watch and wonder what her crazy ass is going to do next.

The next 3 days were filled with scheduled meetings which all could have been condensed into a day and half but I won't complain since I was staying at the amazing Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Collinas. The amazing weather (less the never ending rain storm on Tuesday) allowed me to sit poolside up until 9pm each night. Damn.... I am loving this new job.

Standing on my patio every morning looking at this course had me wishing I knew something about golf.

Good times but definitely good to be back in DC... see Texas in another 3 years.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 times I have witnessed perfection

Tonight's concert was phenomenal. No more needs to be said, but check this concert when it comes near you.

Finally A Reason to Subscribe to HBO...

Yes another post this week about my girl Jilly from Philly (Did I mention I am going to see her tonite?!?!?!) Well HBO has picked up the adaptation of the best-selling books "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" by Alexander McCall Smith.

"The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" stars my favorite singer Jill Scott as Precious Ramotswe, the proprietor of the only female-owned detective agency in Botswana. Two other favorites, Anika Noni Rose who plays her quirky secretary in the series and Idris 'damn he is sexy' Elba star in the show as well.

HBO has partnered with the Weinstein Co. and the BBC on the drama series, ordering 13 hourlong episodes to begin filming in the summer. That's in addition to the two-hour pilot that Minghella recently shot in Botswana. Finally something new and different... I mean when was the last time, let alone the first time, you have seen a drama series set in Africa. Many thanks to HBO for adding some color to the television.