"Palin" around with Terrorists...

Today marks 96 days left for Bush 43 as President of the United States. Today I had to go to the White House for meetings and had the opportunity to tour the grounds and see a Presidential departure.

Regardless of whomever sits in the Oval Office... the protocol, the history and the future of the White House was still amazing to see first hand for the first time. Definitely looking forward to going back this Saturday for a tour of the West Wing...

Random Thoughts this Tuesday Morning...

1. This week marks the 18th annual Reel Affirmations, the nation's capitol LGBT film festival. Usually there are a few (very few) films geared toward African-Americans... unfortunately this year Finding Me starring Maurice Murrell and blogger, Derrick L. Briggs has been scheduled around the same time as Dreams Deffered: The Sakia Gunn Film Project. What to do... what to do...

2. So the gays are mostly all excited about Beyonce's two new projects that have come out this past week... I have only heard the one about the Ring on the Finger... didn't move me at all. I felt it was unoriginal and sounded like a couple of other songs on her B'day album. Thanks to Valentino I saw the video last night... loved it. Especially the part where she (her choreographer) incorporated J-setting into the routine. As much as I hate J-setting it was good that she was finally original about something... I can't see any other artist doing that.

3. Clay Cane has blogged about the lack of talent of some of today's artist compared to those of the past. Listening to the lyrics of Ring on the Finger and lot of other songs just made me randomly think of this.

4. So Bank of America has this feature called My Portfolio... not going to go into all the features but it allows you to be able to look at all your current credit card balances in one spot... lets just say I am more in debt that I first imagined. My April 1 deadline has just been pushed back to June 1.

5. Can someone tell the gas stations in DC that gas prices are falling????

6. Saw Eagle Eye this weekend... pretty good movie definitely enjoyed that. Looking forward to seeing the Secret Lives of Bees and W. this weekend. Anybody got a movie gift card to give me?!?!

7. As much as I disdain Elisabeth Hassleback on the View and her black and white point of view. I don't think I would watch anymore if she left to go to FOX news. I look forward to Joy and Whoopi giving her a wake up call each day and the occasional brilliant moments of Sherrie Shepard.

8. Is it November 4th yet?

9. There will be no ATL for me this upcoming MLK holiday... seeing that it falls on Inaugural weekend, seeing Obama sworn is a lot more important than a few overpriced parties in Atlanta.

10. To those who have emailed me... Thanks for the emails, I do read them all, respond to some that require it... and yes I will do an update on me, dating, and past dates you have read about here.

Religulous... my take

So last night me and a friend went to see Bill Maher's religious documentary, Religulous. In the film comedian Bill Maher looks at the presence of religion in many of the big news stories of recent years, from Muslim riots over cartoons of Muhammad, to the Ten Commandments in front of courthouses, a born-again Christian in the White House and Scientology in the birthing room.

I must say Bill has captured the current thoughts of organized religion that have been circling in my head and coming to live for the past several months.

Most organized religion requires someone to embrace some form of blind faith. It is this faith, by its very nature requires a gigantic leap into irrationality, it is almost impossible to explain or to defend in rational terms. And this impossibility that frustrates and enrages most believers... when instead it should lead to a lot of self thought.

In the film Maher examines Christianity, the Islamic faith, Judaism, and Catholicism (by far my favorite fairy tale of them all) Equally diving into each religion and questioning why we believe what we believe. He also looks into the story of Jesus Christ... from the immaculate conception to his death and shows how the story resembles even older stories such as the story of Horus in Greek mythology and Mithras in the Roman religions.

While I, like Bill, must admit I haven't figured it all out and I am not quite sure what I believe. But I do believe the stories of the Bible are taken a little too literal... like Jonah living inside a fish.

I think the movie is good for those who have no faith or are quite strong in their faith and those that are able to look at other views of taboo subjects without being angered.

War by Alexei Jendayi & Sol Edler

Watch this music video by Alexei Jendayi and DC resident and friend of a friend, Sol Edler to get a more personal look at the war. Then SPREAD THE WORD by sharing this message with your friends, relatives, and colleagues.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPDJtS

The video is from Alexei's latest release, November 4 EP (http://www.November4EP.com )

DO SOMETHING!

Register to vote NOW (deadlines fast approaching) and vote early in states that permit early voting!
http://www.voteforchange.com/

It wasn't until I was well out of college and had been living on my own for years that it came to my realization that my mother has no concept of money.

Every time I would visit home there would be something new and obnoxious in her house and when I would ask about it she would say... oh that was only XX a month and I got XX percent off.

Growing up if I had a great day, I was rewarded by going to the mall and buying something new for myself... if I had a bad day, I was cheered up by going to the mall and buying something new. For many going to the mall to get something may be nothing. But for me growing up I never really asked for much. I never had to have the latest games or clothes. But this behavior growing up only continued into my adulthood.

By the time I graduated from Auburn, I had over $3000 in credit card debt. And while I thank my mother for most of it... there were no lessons of fiscal responsibility... and all those free credit card offers on campus didn't help. I have since paid that $3000 off twice over. But now after the Atlanta job situation and everything going on here I have found myself once again in credit card debt... $7000 this time. Entering into a recession only makes me fearful of having such debt... which is why I will be grinding like crazy to pay off this debt. I will be working like a mad man... cutting expenses... taking no personal trips... and watching my spending until I get this under control.

Now with groceries costs... gas... skyrocketing. And my rent going up next month... this will definitely be a challenge but my goal is to be credit card debt free by April 1... lets see if I make it.

After i lost FLJ in June I went into solitude and a mild depression. The rest of the summer proved to be difficult but there was light at the end of the tunnel. As I packed things away except for a few pictures, I tried to return to somewhat of a normal life (still trying to figure out what that is).

Then the recent murder of my friend Randolph... and last week I was at my breaking point. I was loosing my faith quickly and was left questioning God.

After pouring my heart out to my therapist, I got in my truck and on my way home for some reason I seemed to notice the myraid amount of homeless people... I then saw a mother with three kids struggling to make the bus before it pulled off with bags of what seemed like clothes in her hand.... then I found out my mother had been in an accident and totalled her car.... when I got home I got a call from Department of Ed wondering why I hadn't been paying my student loans the past two months... all the time thinking FLJ had set up the direct pay but then I remembered he was no longer here.

Again at my breaking point... a much needed "work" trip back to Los Angeles was what I needed to escape life only for a few days. Lucky for me instead of being at the Beverly Wilshire... I was going to the Four Seasons Westlake Village which is host to the California Longevity and Health Institute. Upon arriving and checking in my first session was with a doctor that taught a lesson on kaizen and making a great change in life one small step at a time. Virtually in tears throughout the session, the doctor came up to me afterwards and smiled as he shook my hand. I told him that 30 minute lecture was worth flying across country.

The rest of last week went with early early early morning walks and hikes around the property... lots of exercise.... spa treatments, massages and relaxing by the serenity pool... and hands on healthy cooking lessons...

I spent the final night in LA, with my bestfriend and another good friend. With a little bit of my sanity regained, I was on an early morning flight back to the Right coast. And for the first time ever... I actually wasn't ready to leave LA.

~

You Got To Be Fucking Kidding Me

http://livesteez.com//videos/watch/48ygRlV

nam nyoho renge kyo.... just skip to 5:30 and listen... and this pedophile is on the streets

Random Thoughts this Monday Morning...

1. So a friend of mine was attacked on his way to BeBar here in DC this past Sunday... and now lies in Howard University Hospital in a coma. Since promoters only care about the bottom line and not the safety of their crowds; since it isn't even safe to walk a block from your car to a bar, even in the Nation's capital; because the value of life is not something people seem to understand.... Be careful and alert of your surroundings

2. I guess the new Maxwell National tour means he is back... now can I get an album release date?

3. Aren't we all happy Oprah is back!

4. Why does it seem that all the good movies come out around the same time. Sometimes I can go weeks without wanting to see anything that has come out and then there will be a weekend like this one where there were 4 movies I wanted to see.

5. Back to LA later this week.... 2 trips in one month...

6. Back to the gym next week... its been a number of months now since I have been but I really need to get back to it. Maybe I need a workout partner... it is sooo easy for me to get distracted and fall off.

7. Why does it seem like everyone around me is more concerned with Hurricane Ike than I was and all were surprised by this. Yes Katirna was devestating to my family but it wasn't the first and won't be the last hurricane we go through. And it definitely wasn't the same situation.

8. I don't understand why people think this election is going to be close.... Obama and McCain are so polar opposites on the issues that it should be a cut and dry decision. It amazes me that the stunts of adding a woman to the ticket will persuade people to bypass how they feel about the true issues is quite disappointing.

9. Did anyone see The Family that Prey's... I hope it was better than that $*#!%(!? Meet the Browns.

10. Lawd JHud engaged to a I Love NY cast off.... what kind of fuckery. Let us go to the Lawd in prayer.

11. FLJ Jr.

The Women have Returned...

So I finally saw the remake of The Women. Since I loved the original and love Jada so I had to see it. I won't go through a long critique of the movie but I will say that it really impressed me to be a remake.

It is rare that remakes adapt to current times but stay true to the original movie; but the writer/director Diane English were able to accomplish that. From the names of the characters... down to the fashion show sequence Diane played great homage to the original 1939 classic film.

However Jada's depiction of a lesbian in 2008 was quite disappointing and quite cartoonish. (And I know we are all thinking if anyone can play a lesbo Jada would be able to pull it off) The whole sitting like a a construction worker... the dating a trite less than super model... the awful choice of a lesbo restaurant.... made me wonder does English even know or tried to know any gay people before altering the original script to include this.

While by far not a great movie... definitely a good and entertaining movie, that I enjoyed this past Sunday evening.

From the Streets of West Baltimore... to the Boulevards of Beverly Hills

The ubercutie Tristan Wilds made his move to the west coast this past week with his starring role as Dixon Wilson in the television redux of 90210. In the 2008 version Tristan plays the "Brandon Walsh" role of the family that moves west to begin a new life in the tony Beverly Hills. During my trip out west you couldn't turn around or blow your nose without seeing an advertisement for the new series featuring his boyish grin.

Mr. Wilds first came across my screen as Michael Lee in the Wire. I must admit watching the evolution of Michael the good kid turned killer with a conscience was one of the major reasons why I kept watching the series. I wanted to see if his conscience ever got the better of him... but alas -30- came and with the end of the series with Michael continuing the life of crime.

But now putting a twist in the legendary role it will be interesting to see the evolution of Dixon who by the looks of the 2 hour premiere will be the only black face in Beverly Hills. But I will definitely be paying attention to see...

RFK "in 40 Years..."

East met West

What a relaxing and fun weekend. I have visited LA a few times but this time was cool just to relax and go with the flow with my bestfriend. United first class.... Beverly Wilshire hotel.... and good friends.

We didn't do a lot of touristy things... it actually seemed like a 5 day plug for me to move out west. Now the nightlife could be a lot better... and everything is sooooooooooo spread out, but I actually considered the move for a hot second. But anyway great times...

Anyway East meets West part 2... September 17-21, 2008

Spur of the moment business trip but hey I love the miles.

~

Oh How I love Ms. Pinkett-Smith

I just love how she has progressed from Lena James to Carla Purty slipped back to Woo and now is on top as Miriam Aarons. The Women starring Ms. Pinkett-Smith starts September 12th.

East meets West in 5 Days

I am looking forward to waking up Friday morning and being officially on vacation... granted it is LA and not Provence or Hampshire... but Beverly Hills will accomodate just fine.

Thanks for the emailed and comments left of suggestions of what to hit up... keep them coming.

The Women Behind The Women...

So back in June, I did a post entitled The Women. It was all about one of my favorite old school movies and its upcoming 2008 remake, that has commercials all over the place in anticipation for it hitting theaters this September.

Well I was recently informed about a partnership of Dove and the upcoming film The Women to allow a 16-year-old teen journalist, Cammy, behind-the-scenes during the filming of The Women to learn, first-hand, how Hollywood creates the images we see on screen and about the people involved in making a major motion self-esteem campaign, the Campaign for Real Beauty, which has shown different depictions of beauty in their underwear on tv and billboards across the nation.

Regardless if we are men or women, most of us have been faced with some sort of self esteem issue as we look to what the media and Hollywood depicts as beautiful. Whether it is rock hard abs or a size 4 figure, we have all looked at these depictions and then looked at ourselves and wondered if we measured up.

Well Dove, Cammy and The Women have created a short documentary entitled The Women Behind the Women which shows Cammy's time on the set of the film and her discussions with the stars about what they think real beauty is. At first yes, I thought a little contrive to ask 4 beautiful Hollywood actresses about what real beauty is, of course they are going to give their Ms. America speech about inner beauty. It wasn't until the part where Cammy, asked the question, "If you could go back to when you were 15 and tell yourself something, what would it be?", that it actually hit home for me because I could agree with what each of the 4 actresses had to say.

Seeing that I have seen the original movie at least 25 times and will definitely see this remake the opening weekend, I can relate to the themes behind the movie and I can admire Dove and the film for taking this opportunity to improve the self image and self satisfaction of others. Anyway check out the short documentary and definitely check back after the 12th to see if Jada, Meg, Annette, Debra and Eva live up to the 1939 classic.

It was 8:24pm when I finally made it home Sunday. Exhausted from a day of work and a cookout with my friends, I immediately stripped down and jumped in the shower to wash the day off. When I exited the shower, I grabbed the mail that had been piling up on the kitchen table for a week, grabbed a diet coke... turned on some music and got in the middle of my bed to sort through the junk mail and bills.

'Like a moth to the flame burned by the fire... my love is blind can't you see my desire' I turned to FLJ's picture and mouthed That's the way love goes...

As I went through the mail there was an envelope for FLJ, as I opened it I saw a visitor's guide to LA with a letter stating "I hope this helps you find those off the beaten path activities you wanted to plan."

We were to take this trip together... and now I go alone. By now this awful nightmare of cancer was going to be another hurdle we had finally cleared. He told me two years ago that he couldn't commit until this was a thing of the past... and at times I didn't understand or maybe I didn't want to understand. And then there were times I got impatient with waiting. But by now all of this would be a moot point. One he got the go ahead, the plans were to expand his client base and move to Harlem by the end of the year. I would join him in the Spring. I often sat by the bed joking about how he would find me an Asian woman to carry the 2 kids.

Just made me think... why is it for me at least life never works the way it is planned? I keep telling myself this rollercoaster I have been on the past 3 years is preparing me for something bigger, something better. But what could that be? And when will I get there?

My friend AJ signs all of his emails asking, "If someone prays for patience, do you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient." I wonder...

Flipping Out about Flipping Out

If you have never seen Flipping Out on Bravo you are depriving yourself from an hour of truly hilarious comedy each week.

Flipping Out is a show primarily about Jeff Lewis an obsessive-compulsive house-flipper, master decorator and the personalities or coworkers he works with. His eccentric staff include an Julia Louis-Dreyfus look-a-like assistant who moonlights doing voice over work, a latin housekeeper and two very unique house assistants. When you add to the mix his business partner that is also his former boyfriend, his various therapists and spiritual advisors, it's clear that this intriguing cast of characters are definitely a dysfunctional family that will provide nothing but laughs.

The second season just ended but you can watch the full episodes online at http://www.bravotv.com/. This is by far one of my favorite shows on tv.

No Words

1. Wearing a wifebeater as a mini dress.... No Words..
2. Videotaping his future drag performance... No Words..
3. Testing the water temperature (min 3:11) before turning on the shower... No Words..
4. Another confused child facing gender identity issues... No Words

Go Team USA

In homage to African-Americans Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who proudly gestured skyward during the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, leveling the playing field for civil rights. Smith set a world record by winning the 200-meter race and Carlos placed third. When accepting their awards, they wore symbolic clothing and hoisted black-gloved fists during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

What is less known is that silver medalist Peter Norman, a white Australian, donned a badge on his uniform while on the podium in support of their cause. Caught in a whirlwind of public outrage, Smith and Carlos were immediately banished from the U.S. Olympic team, and even received death threats. In July 2008, John Carlos and Tommie Smith accepted the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for their deeds at the 1968 Olympics at the 2008 ESPY Awards.

Now legendary, this image is a powerful icon of African-American athletes’ struggle for equality.

~

Random Thoughts this Tuesday Afternoon

1. I really need this vacation... lately everything and everyone is annoying me. So I need some time away, to myself doing different things so I can make sure it is everyone else and not me.

2. So as much as I love my company... I am quite concerned about the diversity of it. Several women have broken that glass ceiling and working for an international company we have quite a diverse staff.... however in my department across the company there doesn't seem to be many African-Americans in management roles. I love this company but I do not see myself staying here if making it to a director's level is impossible.

3. I wish there was a way I could vote today and all the ads, polls, and commentary would just go away...

4. In case no one else ever tells you Haagan Dazz Caramel Cone is everything!!

5. I wonder why cars do not come out based on a calendar year... just always seemed odd to me that I may be driving a 2009 in 2008. Or if I bought a 2006 the car was actually made in 2005.

6. My cell phone is dying... and because I was an ass and did a friend a favor by adding him to my account (ill have to blog about this later) I can't get a new phone until hopefully the end of next week. I pray this phone lasts till then. Glad to say bye to the Sprint Treo family after 5 years...

7. Did you see the sad news that Randy Pausch died? Randy became famous after delivering his Last Lecture on Oprah last year and it quickly became a YouTube event. If you haven't seen it it is definitely a tear jerker.

8. Michelle Obama's Ebony cover is EVERYTHING. This woman looks good in anything from GAP to designer, I see a fashion icon in the making...

9. Are you watching I Wanna Work for Diddy?? I just love how this man keeps himself relevant.

10. Damn I'm sleepy....