DISHING IT UP ON CELEBRITIES!

"I never really factor Hollywood into anything. I'm a black actor, so I can't really say what Hollywood thinks. I gotta go do my thing." Jamie Foxx.
Nominated for two 2004 Academy Awards for the movies Ray and Collateral, Golden Globe winner Jamie Foxx received his first recognition on the small screen when he was cast in the Fox's comedy series In Living Color (1991-1994). He later starred in his own sitcom The Jamie Foxx Show (1996-2001). Jamie was also noticed for his roles in the films Redemption (2004), Ali (2001), and Any Given Sunday (1999).

At the 2005 Grammy Awards, Foxx sang Georgia on My Mind with Grammy winner Alicia Keys, a song he dedicated to blues pianist Ray Charles whom he portrayed in the movie Ray. Familiar with music, Jamie released his first album titled Peep This in 1994 and will be making a guest appearance on the upcoming 50 Cent album The Massacre. Forever busy Foxx recently walked down the runway with Hillary Duff for General Motors' 4th Annual Fashion Show and Charity Event held in Hollywood.

Comic Quarterback

Childhood and Family:

Eric Morlon Bishop, later popularly known as Jamie Foxx, was born on December 13, 1967 to Louise Annette Dixon (a homemaker) and stockbroker father Shaheed Abdullah. After his parents divorce, seven-month-old Jamie was adopted by grandparents Mark (yardman, died in 1985) and Esther Talley (domestic worker, died in 2004). He has two half-sisters and one stepbrother.

Born and raised in the small town of Terrell, Texas, Jamie enjoyed his strict childhood with his grandparents. He expanded his talents and energy by joining the Boy Scouts and church choir. While studying at the Terrell High School, Jamie was popular as a class-clown and the quarterback of the school football team.

Starting piano lessons at age 3, Jamie later won a music scholarship to the United States International University in San Diego (a.k.a. Alliant International University) and continued to learn classical piano at Julliard.

In spite of claiming himself a bachelor, Jamie is father to daughter Corrine (born 1995) who currently lives with her mother.

Hollywood's Collateral

Career:

Formerly selling shoes to earn a living, Jamie Foxx received his first public appearances being a regular stand-up comedian at The Comedy Store. In 1989 he moved to L.A. in order to pursue his comedy career. After several performances in comedy clubs, Jamie finally landed his first job on TV's popular comedy show In Living Color. From 1991 to 1994 Jaime shared the show with such comedy icons as Jim Carey and the Wayans brothers. He was also seen on the Stan Lathan's series Roc (1991, starring Charles Dutton) and debuted in the feature film Toys (1992).

His appearances scored him his own WB network sitcom, the long-running comedy The Jamie Foxx Show. Jamie starred in the top-rated series from 1996 to 2001, which handed him the NAACP Image Award. Meanwhile, he played characters in several big screen films including Ben Chaplin's friend in Michael Lehmann's romance-comedy The Truth About Cats & Dogs (1996) and as Hassan El Ruk'n in Reginald Hudlin's boxing spoof The Great White Hype (1996). Foxx also teamed with associate comedian Tommy Davidson in the disappointing Booty Call (1997) and played a DJ in Ice Cube's drama comedy The Players Club (1998).

In 1999 Jamie received critical acclaim playing the role of quarterback Willie Beamen in Oliver Stone's drama Any Given Sunday, sharing the screen with actors Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz and LL Cool J. Jamie was also involved in the writing, producing and the singing of two theme songs (one of which was My Name is Willie) for the film. In addition, Jamie starred with Nia Long in Steve Rash's comedy Held Up. After playing the lead role in Antoine Fuqua's thriller comedy Bait (2000), director Michael Mann cast him as Drew 'Bundini' Brown to costar with Will Smith in the highly praised drama Ali (2001). Subsequently, he starred in the HBO's special Jamie Foxx: I Might Need Security (2002) and worked with Sylvester Stallone and Melanie Griffith in Damian Nieman's poor drama Shade (2003). He also caught the public attention hosting the much-admired show Saturday Night Live during the 2001-2002 season.

Jamie's exceptional acting was proven in 2004 when he received glowing appraise for his roles in Michael Mann's thriller Collateral (costarring Tom Cruise), Taylor Hackford's musical drama Ray, and Vondie Curtis-Hall's Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story. Jamie has received many awards and nominations for his versatile roles. In 2005 he will costar with Josh Lucas and Jessica Biel in Rob Cohen's action drama Stealth, as well as teamed with Jake Gyllenhaal in Sam Mendes' war drama Jarhead, an adaptation of Anthony Swofford's best selling novel. Foxx is also scheduled to star in Michael Mann's film project, costarring Collin Farrell, in the silver screen version of the hit crime-drama Miami Vice (2006) as well as starring in Michael Mann's 2007 film Damage Control.

An admirer of Richard Pryor in comedy, Denzel Washington in acting, and Steve Hardin in music, Jamie Foxx is also known for his talent in singing since the release of his debut CD, Peep This, in 1994. Jamie continues to sing today.

Awards:

Academy Award: Best Actor, Ray, 2005

Golden Globe: Best Actor, Musical or Comedy, Ray, 2005
National Society of Film Critics: Best Actor, Ray, 2005
National Board of Review: Best Actor, Ray, 2005
Screen Actors Guild: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a
Leading Role, Ray, 2005
Las Vegas Film Critics: Best Actor, Ray, 2005
Kansas City Film Critics: Best Actor, Ray, 2005
Seattle Film Critics: Best Actor, Ray, 2004
Southeastern Film Critics: Best Actor, Ray, 2004
Phoenix Film Critics: Best Actor, Ray, 2004
National Board of Review: Best Actor, Ray, 2004
Florida Society of Film Critics: Best Actor, Ray, 2004
Boston Society of Film Critics: Best Actor, Ray, 2004
NAACP Image Award: Best Supporting Actor, Ali, 2002
Black Reel Award: Best Supporting Actor, Ali, 2002
NAACP Image Award: Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series, The Jamie Foxx Show, 1997

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN!

So you think fashion changes every season...right? Well take a look at some of the pics below, and try to guess if it's a 2010 fashion statement...or a throwback to the 1960's!

1.


2.


3.


4.

Well how did you do?

Answers

1. This is fashion circa 1960! Yep that's right, and the look is stylishly 2010...

2. This look hit the runway for Fall, 2010...looks kinda "Mod" if you ask me!

3. This too is a retro look, popular in the 60's. You could wear this now and be a total fashionista!

4. 2010 fashion....but tell the truth...it does look retro.

So all you divas and fashion police, consider raiding granny's closet, or hitting the local vintage clothing shops. You can save tons of money and be totally in style!

YARDWORK BLUES..I'M TIRED OF SINGING THAT SONG!

OH SPRING! I JUST COULD NOT WAIT FOR THE FIRST SIGN OF THE GROWING SEASON. I FAITHFULLY CONDITIONED MY SOIL. I FERTILIZED LIKE A PRO. I WEEDED, SHEARED, MOWED, PRUNED, DUG, MULCHED AND TRULY ENJOYED THE TASKS. HOME DEPOT WAS THE PLACE TO BE FOR ME. SHOULD I BUY GAS OR ELECTRIC YARD TOOLS? WHAT KIND OF PLANTS WOULD DO WELL IN MY YARD? I WAS SO INTO IT. I COULD SPEND ALL DAY IN MY YARD...AND THE BENEFIT IS THAT IT IS TRULY BEAUTIFUL. THAT WAS THEN...THIS IS NOW...

THE TEMPERATURES IN CLEVELAND HAVE BEEN IN THE UPPER 90'S FOR THE MAJORITY OF THIS SUMMER. THE HEAT IS INTOLERABLE. I ABSOLUTELY HATE GOING OUTSIDE! I CAN'T WAIT FOR ALL THIS CRAP I PLANTED TO DIE SO THAT I DON'T HAVE TO TEND TO IT ANYMORE. THE GROWING SEASON HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL THIS YEAR. GRASS GROWS SO FAST THAT I SHOULD INVEST IN A GAS CARD JUST FOR MY LAWN MOWER!


AND LET'S NOT TALK ABOUT THE INSECTS. I HAVE SO MANY BITES AND STINGS THAT I SHOULD HAVE INVESTED IN THE COMPANY THAT PRODUCES OFF, WHICH BTW...I THINK ATTRACTS BUGS. AT ANY RATE...THE YARD AND THE GARDENING TASKS THAT ONCE PRODUCED SUCH EXCITEMENT FOR ME...NOW FILL ME WITH DREAD. EVERYTHING GROWS SO FAST, AND I AM THE ONE MEMBER OF THE FAMILY WHO HAS TO TEND TO THEM. HEAT STROKE...DEHYDATION...SUNBURN...OH YES...SUMMER, SUMMER WONDERFUL SUMMER.

I HATE MY YARD AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SEASON TO CHANGE!

AN ORIGINAL DIVA...INTRODUCING DOROTHY DANDRIDGE~

DOROTHY DANDRIDGE Graphics & Dorothy Dandridge Pictures


MZ DOROTHY DANDRIDGE, THE ORIGINAL DIVA



DOROTHY DANDRIDGE Graphics & Dorothy Dandridge Pictures


Born: 9 November 1922
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio
Died: 8 September 1965 (drug overdose)
Best Known As: Star of the movie Carmen Jones
Dorothy Dandridge is the Oscar-nominated actress whose career as a leading lady was curtailed by racism and personal problems in the 1950s. As teens she and her sister Vivian were part of an act known as the Dandridge Sisters; they were good enough to reach New York's famous Cotton Club, and from there Dorothy worked her way into small movie parts in Hollywood. She married dancer Harold Nicholas of the Nicholas Brothers in 1942, but it wasn't until they divorced in 1949 that Dandridge's career really took off. A charismatic and striking beauty, she began touring as a nightclub singer. Her big Hollywood break came when she starred as the sultry heroine of the 1954 film Carmen Jones, an adaptation of the Bizet opera Carmen. The film was a hit, and Dandridge became the first African-American woman ever nominated for an Academy Award as best actress. (Grace Kelly won that year, for The Country Girl.) Dandridge also began a stormy affair with the film's director, Otto Preminger. Carmen Jones proved to be the high point of her career; leading roles for black actresses were rare, and she refused to take the bit parts and lesser roles that were offered. Her film career sputtered, though she did star in the daring Island in the Sun (1957, with Dandridge sharing an interracial romance with John Justin), and Porgy and Bess (1959, with Dandridge and Sidney Poitier in the title roles). Her marriage to restaurant owner Jack Denison (1959-1962) was troubled, and Dandridge declared bankruptcy in 1963. She began to revive her nightclub career, but also began drinking heavily and taking antidepressants. She died of an overdose of the antidepressant Tofranil in 1965.

Dandridge was played by actress Halle Berry in the 1999 TV movie Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. By coincidence, Berry became the first African-American woman to win the Oscar as best actress, for her role in the 2001 film Monster's Ball... Dandridge and Harold Nicholas had one daughter, Harolyn, born in 1943. She suffered from brain damage and was institutionalized for much of her life... It's unknown if Dandridge's fatal overdose was a suicide or an accident; the coroner declared this to be "undetermined."

THERE ARE NO BEAUTY SUPPLY STORES IN HEAVEN!

I love the beauty supply store. This is a place that sells magic waiting to happen! Only in a beauty supply store can you find the goods that will transform the average looking girl into a Beyonce’ Knowles look-a-like…..and all it takes is some hair color….and a few packs of wonderful…wonderful weave.

Oh yes..weave…let’s talk about weave! Give me a number 1...yaki straight, or maybe I’ll get a curly look this time. The possiblities are endless. I can get it glued in..sewed in…thermal bonded..or braided. I can look any way I want to….and all of it’s for sale right in my handy dandy beauty supply store. I can even buy a whole wig…..half wig…or lace front??!?!? Whew!

Makeup…body paint…glitter…beads…barrettes and all sorts of lotions and potions are there at the beauty supply store. You can find shoes…boots…body piercing jewelry…and all sorts of exotic body enhancements.

I can buy lingerie, fishnets, jeggings, and the very latest sensuous items to titillate my significant other. I can wear gold, silver, bronze, ebony or ivory….The sky’s the limit!

I have a 20 year old daughter, and I can’t remember the last time she talked about getting her own hair done…which by the way is beautiful and healthy. When she talks about getting her hair done, it inevitably includes a trip to the beauty supply store to buy perms, weave, bonding glue, spritz, gel and anything else she thinks she needs to acquire the “LOOK”. She’s had pink hair, blue hair, purple hair, orange hair, and platinum blonde! I don’t even remember her real hair color.

I don’t quite understand the fascination with weave. It’s expensive, it’s difficult to maintain, it’s not real, and men don’t like it. I’ve heard too many men express this thought…they say they just “put up with it cuz that’s what their girls do!” Crazy huh???


Now don't get your panties twisted ladies...I have nothing against weave...or your right to wear it. I'm only saying..be proud of your own hair...it is your "crowning glory"! There is nothing more beautiful to me than a natural head of healthy hair.

I know many of us better hope that heaven has beauty supply stores! Our loved ones may not recognize us with our natural …heavenly hairdo’s!

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO FANTASIA BARRINO!

Fantasia Barrino Graphics & Fantasia Barrino Pictures

Fantasia Barrino Graphics & Fantasia Barrino Pictures


Former American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino tried to take her own life after her married boyfriend Antwaun Cook called-off their relationship.

The stress of the break-up , plus the fact that Cook's wife Paula filed a complaint against the singer accusing her of sleeping with her husband caused the performer to snap.



A North Carolina police report revealed that Barrino attempted to commit suicide with ‘possible internal injuries’ after ‘ingesting medication’ at her home in Glynwoor Lakes on Monday night.

Barrino has now been released from the hospital. Antwaun was fed-up with all the drama and called the relationship off with Fantasia. She begged him not to leave her but he wouldn’t listen.

He has not gone back to his wife either but Fantasia was still devastated because she believed they had a future together.

She was also stressed-out about the complaint filed by his wife but her relationship with Antwaun has been rocky for the past few months.

Fantasia had gotten herself involved in a war of words with Paula Cook over him and there were several nasty phone calls between the two women.

It is also true that a sex tape exists and although Fantasia’s people will try and put a spin on the story, it has become really messy.

Fantasia got really possessive of Antwaun but he was never willing to fully commit to her – she even got a tattoo with his name before getting it covered-up.

The sad part is that there are kids involved with both sides.

JEGGINGS ARE TAKING THE FASHION WORLD BY STORM...OR GETTIN JEGGIE WITH IT!

After the skinny jean, the latest pants to take the fashion world by storm are the jeggings.


Jegging is a cross between a pair of jeans and leggings, a new season trend that is being adopted across the board and on many a runway.


The jegging style is a more comfortable alternative to skinny jeans and a more modest and stylish alternative to wearing leggings as pants.

Women are wearing leggings like they are pants and they are not; the jegging is a legging that is meant to be worn as a pant.


If you wear them in black or a dark denim it's fine to wear them as a pant but in a lighter wash you'd probably wear them as a legging.

Jeggings is not a style for everyone.

Everyone cannot do every fashion but I think that jeggings can be adapted to suit just about everyone. It's about proportions, you can do a few tricks and illusions with a wedge heel, a tunic top, a long cardigan or mini-dress or skirt.

Jeggings are quite often printed with belt loops, pockets, buttons and zips and are designed to look like a super skinny pair of jeans.

While they might be more comfortable than skinny jeans, they give wearers no room to hide.

They are designed to suit all ages when they're styled appropriately.

So come on ladies...LET'S GET JEGGIE WITH IT!

Violence

I have always considered myself to be a person who can listen to the news of the day without bias, but some of the things that have happened over the course of the last couple weeks has got me thinking...Is violence the way folks are reacting to problems in their lives?

A worker who was terminated for stealing in New Hampshire opened fire on his former co-workers and killed many of them. The shooter cited "racism in the workplace as his motivation for the carnage. Whether or not his reasoning was real or imagined...did his violent act solve any problems?

Two women were brutally murdered here in Cleveland recently. No one can say what drove their murderers to act, we can only see that it was a violent reaction to some real or imagined problem. Is it becoming easier to kill one another? Does the media glorify violence in film, videos, music and print? Do the viloent video games that kids play set them up to be assassins, dope dealers, pimps and car thieves? I say all of the above contribute to the attitude that violent reactions are "ok".

The world has really changed since I was a kid. When we had a beef with someone..it might result in fisticuffs, but nowdays kids will arm themselves with guns, knives or someother deadly weapon. The stringent security measures at schools today is testament to that fact. School administrators, faculty and parents are afraid of the students. This is nuts! Violence in the schools is running rampant.

I know that it is a different world today...with different challenges, but is the answer more violence? Violence begats violence.

On a personal note...my niece was witness to a violent car-jacking just last night. She was in her car one block from a police station, when an old jeep came out of nowhere and cut the mercedes benz in front of her off. A hooded thug ran out of a doorway with a gun and told the driver of the benz to "give it up!", which he did. My niece was quick to call 911... after being transferred to three different dispatchers she reported the incident. The inefficiency of the 911 system here in Cleveland is legendary...but that's a whole other blog!

I tell you this story just to further talk about violence in the streets. It is everywhere...and I for one am sick of it. I used to say.."Oh, it's not as bad as people say", but it actually is worse. No more bleeding heart for me. If you do the deed...then let the punishment fit the crime. AN EYE FOR AN EYE...A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH..NUFF SAID...

GOING GREEN... HAS GOT ME SEEING RED!

Now I know it's the right thing to do to try to go green and save our planet’s resources for the next generations, but has anybody told that to the giants of retail industry or the fast food giants? I advocate placing restrictions on their manufacturing, merchandising, and distribution of commodities that would force them to go green too!


I try very hard to conserve water. I separate paper from plastic. I recycle and re-use whenever I’m able. I even bought re-usable grocery bags for shopping. I keep my car tuned up so as not to help pollute the atmosphere….so you can imagine how I feel when I see fillet of fish plastic McDonald’s boxes blowing across the road! It’s not just McDonalds…I just used them as an example….There are millions of fast food chains who are guilty of the same practices. Blatant disregard for the concept of “going green”!


Why doesn’t the government go after them to create a more planet friendly method for wrapping their food? What’s wrong with just wrapping it in plain paper? It really wouldn’t matter much to the consumer…cuz we’re gonna eat it just as fast as possible anyway!


Another thing that fries my bacon is those flimsy, little cheap bags that you get when you buy something. Why are those necessary? You see them littering the streets everyday...flying across the road...stuck on trees! Those bags are not biodegradable…they’ll be here for years….and years…and years….and years! What’s wrong with a good ol’ paper sack? It will break down in a matter of months and replenish the earth….soooooo!

The government has spent billions of dollars in an effort to educate the public about the need for “going green” I got the message…..but big business and industry must have been absent from class that day…or they just CUT CLASS altogether!

I'm sick of big brother telling me to go green...when the giants of commerce and industry could care less.

So yeah….The concept of going green has got me seeing red!

HELPING HANDS OF EAST CLEVELAND

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

We are an open community of concerned, compassionate citizens inspiring change through advocacy, support, growth and success of all residents of East Cleveland, OH. We engage the community and support our families by providing free donated clothing/furniture to low-income families, or anyone in need, in a convenient and dignified manner. Helping Hands Store is a non-profit organization. We rely on volunteers to help with all aspects of running the store. We solicit donations from concerned citizens to be distributed to residents of East Cleveland, OH, who need a helping hand, regardless of race, creed, color or national origin.

 

 

 

WHAT WE DO

OUR FOCUS IS TO  COLLECT GENTLY USED CLOTHING, SHOES, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, FURNITURE AND APPLIANCES.  WE DISTRIBUTE EVERYTHING WE COLLECT TO THE RESIDENTS OF EAST CLEVELAND, OH, AT NO CHARGE.  WE PROVIDE ITEMS THAT ENRICH THE LIVES OF OUR RESIDENTS BY PROVIDING THE NECESSITIES OF LIVING IN A DIGNIFIED AND CONVENIENT SETTING.  WE ACCEPT ANY NEIGHBOR WHO HAS A NEED.  ALL STAFF IN OUR ORGANIZATION PARTICIPATE ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS...BECAUSE WE CARE

 

 

 

HOW CAN YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR SERVICES?

SEEK AND YE SHALL FIND....IF YOU NEED CLOTHING FOR YOUR CHILDREN OR YOURSELF...CALL US.  IF YOU NEED FURNITURE OR APPLIANCES CALL US.  IF YOU NEED CURTAINS OR LINENS...GIVE US A TRY.  WE MAY NOT HAVE EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED....BUT PERHAPS WE CAN FIND IT.  LET US KNOW.  OUR SERVICES ARE DEPENDENT ON THE KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY OF OUR NEIGHBORS.  THE MORE ITEMS THAT ARE DONATED...THE MORE WE CAN DISTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY.

 

 

 

WANT TO HELP?

FEELING THE NEED TO HELP?  WHEN YOU CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSET OR GARAGE, THINK ABOUT US!  WE WILL PICK UP YOUR ITEMS.  WE WILL CLEAN OR REPAIR YOUR DONATIONS.  WHEN YOU NO LONGER NEED OR WANT SOMETHING...JUST ASK YOURSELF..."CAN SOMEBODY ELSE USE THIS?".  THE ANSWER IS PROBABLY "YES!".  CALL US AT 216-404-5342, OR EMAIL US AT helpinghands.44112@gmail.com.  WE WILL ARRANGE FOR A PICKUP.

ONE MAN'S TRASH...IS ANOTHER MAN'S TREASURE!

VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!  THE TIME YOU WORK TO HELP YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS IS INVALUABLE.  WHEN YOU GIVE OF YOUR TIME...YOUR SPIRIT IS UPLIFTED.  WE WELCOME YOUR HELP.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER....GIVE US A CALL!

LOVIN' YOUR NEIGHBOR AIN'T ALWAYS EASY...

I've always considered myself to be a good neighbor. I keep my yard well maintained. I keep any noise down. I don't throw wild parties. I'm not a nosey busybody all up in my neighbor's business. I try to truly follow the scripture and love my neighbors...but

There is one neighbor of mine who has a dog that barks non-stop! I mean from sun up til sundown this animal does not give it a rest. He must need some attention. He's gotta be pretty stupid too..he shoulda figured out a long time time ago that his barking ain't getting him nowhere. Does my neighbor love me?

Then there's the lady who tells me..."I wish you would quit putting trash in my yard!" Point is...I don't even put any trash outside because we live in a heavily wooded area and the creatures around here can tear up the strongest cans and trash bags. I told this neighbor that the trash she's finding might have come from the wind...but she don't want to hear that. She's convinced that me and my family sneak over there in the middle of the night and deposit potato chip bags in her yard!

Does this neighbor love me?

Lord...give me strength!

Oh yeah...and then there's the neighborhood perverts who stare at my adolescent grand-daughters, with their mouths hanging open, when they're in my backyard in the pool. I really have to stretch to love them, cuz they sure ain't showin no love or respect!

Like I said...I try to love my neighbors...but sometimes the neighbors just ain't so lovable!

FOREVER 21 CONDONES PREGNANT TEENS!

I thought I had seen it all until last night when I happened to catch a local news broadcast. One of the features caught my attention. The reporter says that there is a certain boutique..which will remain nameless..uh humm..(FOREVER 21), that has introduced a clothing line that is specifically marketed to pregnant girls! Call me crazy, but I think this is ridiculous.



Sure pregnant teens want to dress stylishly. I know that...but what kind of a message are we sending? Is it ok to be 13, 15, 17 and pregnant? No, it is not. I can't believe that the American public will stand still and allow a major retail chain to exploit and condone the tradgedy of teenaged pregnancy.

I say bring back the old days when being teenaged and pregnant was not so cool! If a girl got "caught" she sometimes disappeared for 6 or 7 months.."down South" She would come back a little plumper, and most often..a lot wiser. Girls did not have the option of being able to go to a fancy, smantzy boutique and purchase clothing that glorified their teenaged belly.

When Forever 21 responded to allegations of targeting teenaged pregnant girls...they said "absolutely not...we market to a wide segment of the population". BALONEY!!! TELL ME THEN WHY THIS PARTICULAR LINE OF CLOTHING WAS ONLY INTRODUCED AT STORES LOCATED IN AREAS WITH THE HIGHEST TEENAGED PREGNANCY STATISTICS??? I think Forever 21 should be ashamed of trying to take advantage of an American tradgedy.

Teenaged pregnancy should not be glorified and exploited.

YARDWORK AND ME....

OH SPRING! I JUST COULD NOT WAIT FOR THE FIRST SIGN OF THE GROWING SEASON. I FAITHFULLY CONDITIONED MY SOIL. I FERTILIZED LIKE A PRO. I WEEDED, SHEARED, MOWED, PRUNED, DUG, MULCHED AND TRULY ENJOYED THE TASKS. HOME DEPOT WAS THE PLACE TO BE FOR ME. SHOULD I BUY GAS OR ELECTRIC YARD TOOLS? WHAT KIND OF PLANTS WOULD DO WELL IN MY YARD? I WAS SO INTO IT. I COULD SPEND ALL DAY IN MY YARD...AND THE BENEFIT IS THAT IT IS TRULY BEAUTIFUL. THAT WAS THEN...THIS IS NOW...

THE TEMPERATURES IN CLEVELAND HAVE BEEN IN THE UPPER 90'S FOR THE MAJORITY OF THIS SUMMER. THE HEAT IS INTOLERABLE. I ABSOLUTELY HATE GOING OUTSIDE! I CAN'T WAIT FOR ALL THIS CRAP I PLANTED TO DIE SO THAT I DON'T HAVE TO TEND TO IT ANYMORE. THE GROWING SEASON HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL THIS YEAR. GRASS GROWS SO FAST THAT I SHOULD INVEST IN A GAS CARD JUST FOR MY LAWN MOWER!


AND LET'S NOT TALK ABOUT THE INSECTS. I HAVE SO MANY BITES AND STINGS THAT I SHOULD HAVE INVESTED IN THE COMPANY THAT PRODUCES OFF, WHICH BTW...I THINK ATTRACTS BUGS. AT ANY RATE...THE YARD AND THE GARDENING TASKS THAT ONCE PRODUCED SUCH EXCITEMENT FOR ME...NOW FEEL ME WITH DREAD. EVERYTHING GROWS SO FAST, AND I AM THE ONE MEMBER OF THE FAMILY WHO HAS TO TEND TO THEM. HEAT STROKE...DEHYDATION...SUNBURN...OH YES...SUMMER, SUMMER WONDERFUL SUMMER.

I HATE MY YARD AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SEASON TO CHANGE!

LeBron...How Can You Leave Me Like This!?!? OR How LeBron James Leaving Cleveland Feels Like The End Of a Love Affair...

Ok...I'm finally coming to grips with the fact that LeBron James left Cleveland for greener pastures. I've accepted the fact that he's gone...and he ain't coming back. I can even deal with the grandiose exit he made on national tv. He's gone...and I say "Good Riddance"! The only thing I can't deal with is the emotional devastation his leaving has had on thousands of fans who supported him at every turn.....and that makes me think of the end of a love affair.

When we first met..we were so very much in love. We delighted in every little thing that the other did. We supported one another through the good and bad times. It was you and me against the world. No one could come between us. We grew together....and as one of us gained prestige and power...I said "wonderful"....that was a boost to our relationship. I was satisfied to stay in the background and let you shine...always supportive...always loyal. Then the day came when you were no longer happy or content. Was it something I did...said...or missed?? How could you leave me like this? I loved you. I was loyal to you. I never cheated on you. I was your staunchest supporter....and in the end you kicked me right in the behind in front of the whole world. I am humiliated and ashamed. Ashamed that I thought that you would always be there for me. Now I look back and think that I was such fool. Was the smile I used to love so much actually a smirk....while you bided your time until your cowardly, self-serving exit? I think it was. I thought you were a king when we were together....and you were..."THE KING OF SELL OUTS"!

So yeah...LeBron leaving C-town is like a stab in the heart....but you know what? We'll survive..maybe it is good his true nature was revealed.

So now the love affair with LeBron James is over....Time to move on....

You have to crawl before you walk...or how I'm learning the art of the blog!

Babies must crawl before they walk. I never really thought that much about it until recently. There is a reason babies crawl. When they crawl they learn body control and the mechanics of motion. They learn to judge distance and speed. Crawling allows babies to explore their worlds from a safe position...low to the ground...where a tumble won't hurt so much. So yes...we all must crawl before walking.




This brings me to the point of my blog today. When I first started blogging I hit the ground running! I was "gung ho" to get started. I dived right in...and inevitably I made mistakes. Thankfully I had a mentor who steered me in the right direction. Blogging can be a powerful tool. The ability to reach millions of people from the comfort of my keyboard is amazing to me. I know that along with the nuts and bolts of blogging and web publishing comes a culture of sorts. There are regulations to follow. Internet etiquette should be observed to keep the blogging industry wholesome and above reproach.





So yes...there is a lot to learn about blogging. I'm just scratching the surface...so I don't mind crawling before I walk...Stay Tuned!

Crammin fo yo Finals....

I'm sure all of us have heard the term "crammin for your fnals". Most of us think about pulling an all night study session in hopes of somehow stashing a whole semester's worth of notes into a caffeine soaked...sleep deprived brain. I must admit...I have pulled my share of cramin during high school and college, but I'm not talking about school in this post.

The other day I heard some old folks talkin...(being in my 50's, to me old folks are in their 70's and 80's)...so...I overheard some old folks talkin..and one man said, "I can't do some of the things I used to do...cause I'm crammin for my finals!" I took this to mean that he was trying to get his soul and spirit right in order to meet his maker.

Got me to thinkin...hmmmm?!?!? If I fell over dead right now...am I ready? What if I don't have time to cram for my finals? I did an evaluation of my life, core values, ethics, beliefs, and attitudes. I came to the conclusion that I have no need to cram. I live my life as if today is my last on this earth. If I have to meet my maker...I can meet him with a clean heart, spirit, mind and body! Praise God that I don't have to cram. CRAMMIN FO YO FINALS SUCKS!

Don't wait til you get to a point in your life that you get afraid...and start crammin! Live your life with joy, humility, wonderment and graciousness. You won't have to worry about crammin if you do this...you'll just be able to enjoy all the amazing experiences that come with a life filled with peace... and you'll be ready for the next level!

Why some folks don't trust the 2010 Census...or how I had doors slammed in my face as an enumerator!

I just completed a temporary job as an enumerator for the 2010 census. The work was not hard...and the compensation was more than adequate for the work that I did. I discovered quite a few things while I was working...let me share a few with you guys...

Some people will not co-operate no matter what you tell them! It's common knowledge that census data cannot be released for 72 years. Folks have given me all types of reasons for non-compliance...ie...."I don't want child support to find me!", "My man has a warrant!", "I don't trust the government!", "We ain't gettin no tax money in this neighborhood anyway!"...

The reasons for not being counted go on and on and on...but the truth is..IT DOES MATTER ! The federal government allocates funding based on census data. More people...more money...more services...more jobs. It is a win, win situation.

One more thing...It is a federal law that all citizens and residents of the United States must comply with the census. The penalties for non-compliance can include fines...prison...or both.

So think about that the next time an enumerator shows up at your door...or just do the right thing and just send your form back in yourself.