Stop Picking On Miami

I'm calling a time-out on all these surveys especially from people who don't live in the city. My beef today has to do with today's news that Miami is the fattest city in the country. GIVE ME A BREAK! Of all times when folks (present company excluded) are trying to fulfil their New Year's Resolution (for the upteenth time) of losing weight, then you put a wet blanket on the said goal of showing how "fat" they really are.

Let me just say for the past five years this city has been placed on many infamous lists in the country:

• Rudest Drivers (for two consecutive years): Well I won't disagree with the theory. When we got the dubious honor, I believed many saluted with their middle fingers as they made their drive yet again in the hellish I-95. Besides, the way I normally find my patience is visiting another country. For six months after my travels, my patience could be that of Job - it makes me realize we don't have it that bad in South Florida.


• Rep. Tom Tancredo Likened Us To A Third World Country: And he said he was afraid for his life during the Republican Primaries after the stupid comment to come to Miami. Hmmm. Anyway, Miami Herald's Pulitzer-Prize Writers: Dave Barry and Leonard Pitts gave him a serious tongue lashing with their pens (or keystrokes). I don't think I need to waste my time.


• Most Attractive People: This honor was in 2007 and I must say I concur. But we don't stop being attractive after 2007 nor were we not attractive before the so-called year. And another thing, I wonder how the people of Philadelphia felt being called the least attractive the same year.


• Least Intelligent People: This was also in 2007 and it makes me feel about the notion that if you're attractive you can't be smart. Who are these poll takers? Let me remind you that the biggest book fair around the world takes place in Miami every November. And it takes a great deal of patience during that week to find places to park, buy books or get into the seminars. That will not happen if the people are not intellectually curious.
• Worst Sports Fans: An honor placed on us last year and to that we say WHATEVER! Pardon us for stressing WINNING! There are many attractions in the city that could hold our attention besides sports. This ain't Wyoming! So yes we put pressure on our athletes. You win, WE WILL COME. You CONTINUALLY LOSE, we go to South Beach, Las Olas or City Walk.

And now today, it becomes the fattest city because we have three times the regular fast food chain and longer commutes. PUH-LEAZE! Have you been here? We also have many who take care of their bodies whether holistically or surgically (why don't you put that as Number 1). Other than Brazil, this is the bikini capital of the world. You think they get those bodies by being fat. Let the locales criticize! Like how clothing seems optional around here. We know our city better and not some snowbird (tourist) who visits for a few weeks in the year.

Tag: Fattest City in America, Miami

Is "Misunderestimate" A Word?

I thought I've heard everything there is to hear about our seven days left President and his unique take on the English Language until yesterday when he gifted me with another "Bushism" in his final press conference. The said word is "misunderestimate."

What in the world is that? I know of "underestimate" and "mis-quote, understood," but "misunderestimate?" Seriously, does this guy keep inventing words as he goes along? There are just too many Bushisms that have left me at a loss for words but let me oblige you a few:

• The ground keeps me grounded (at his Texas Ranch in one of his many vacations)
• Too many OB-GYNS are not able to practice their love on women (as a woman, I say EEEWW)
• Families can't put food on their children (it's food on the table Mr. President)
• Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, you can't get fooled again. (It's fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me).

I just don't get it. In a nation of great communicators (there were many before Ronald Reagan was nicknamed "the great communicator") who founded our constitution, wrote great speeches and books we get Dubya. I truly believe Dubya fulfils the scripture "He uses foolish things to confound the wise." I've had headaches of different sorts if I had to be subjected to another speech. These days I see the speeches as some sort of amusement. Like with this video here:


There is joy in my heart because ONE MORE WEEK, I get a new President who understands syntax and agreement. Who will not give different folks on the Press Corp and his Administration weird nicknames. Obama will actually talk to me like I went to school and was raised to speak "the Queens English" . . . what a day and term(s) that will be.

The Men At the 66th Golden Globes

Oh I didn't forget about the men even though they only need about 15 minutes to get dressed. The horror! But because of that outrageous amount of time most men (save for the metrosexuals - not my cup of tea) use to get dressed, I'll be more ruthless with my critics. There are no in-betweens; only BEST DRESSED and WORST DRESSED! (I'm not saying "least favorite"). There's just no excuse.

First of all, I want to give a moment of mourning for my favorite guy missing from the red carpet: GEORGE CLOONEY! Where was he? That guy always looks like he was born to wear the tux! He's our (well not mine) generation of Cary Grant - effortlessly elegant. The party was just not the same. That being said, let me give the honors to the rest of the men who came:

My Best-Dressed List: Ben Harper, Patrick Dempsey (aka McDreamy), and Tom Cruise. First with Ben: Now I'm not big on the black-on-black look on most guys. I think you've got to have the skin tone, fit, and confidence to pull it off. For example: On Ben Harper. LOVED IT!!! On Seal - HATED IT!!! - Now I like it when Seal wears all white - nice contrast to the skin tone or a dash of white with the tux. Back to Ben, the man gets some two snaps, snaps for shedding a tear for wife's win. How ROMANTIC!

McDreamy (with co-presenter Tina Fey) looks just like his nickname. If last night were in years past, I won't have given him my "best-dressed" honor. I just thought he looked so staid in the tux with the bow-tie (he ain't Clooney). Besides, any forty-something year old guy or guys who project young could do away with the bow-tie to look more modern. So thumbs up to McDreamy to shaking things up and going with the single tie look.

Last but not the least goes to Tom Cruise. He's been doing some image makeover lately about his past antics (jumping on the couch anyone?) The said image translated to the red carpet here - DEBONAIR! Cool points also, for bringing Mom along.

Worst Dressed Looks: Drum roll Please! Tony Shalhoub. I don't get how a Jewish man suddenly becomes Indian. I think he has an Indian wife (not sure). But still he gets panned (along with Glenn Close in the pic) for this look.

And the absolute WORST? Mickey Rourke . . . THERE ARE NO WORDS (The picture is worth a thousand words).

Tag: 66th Golden Globes

66th Golden Globe Fashions - Women

Allow my inner fashionista to give the critic about last night's Golden Globe Awards. Like many, the awards are just the end product of what has become one of my guilty pleasures for some years. Good to be nominated, and better if my favorite wins. But the best thing for me is to get the two most important answers to my questions: Who and what are you wearing?

Good to see the stars (most of them) followed the pulse of the nation and kept everything understated. The color of the night seem to be what's called "oyster," or "blush" but as usual, there were many stars in black. Now on to the most important stuff . . . here are my musings about the best dressed, the so-so look (lukewarm) and those who gave me a pause (I won't call them worst dressed):

Best Dressed goes to (In order of faves): Eva Longoria Parker , January Jones, Salma Hayek, and Kate Winslet. My absolute fave got two shots. Eva was just stunning in red. January Jones showed why she's today's version of Grace Kelly; she just does vintage so well. Salma Hayek, what can I say? Muy Caliente! The pale color of the dress doesn't take away from her hotness. And Winslet was not only the a winner of two awards but she gets two snaps snaps (as in Livin' Color) for her style. Winslet shows the truth in "simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."

My Luke-Warm looks go to J.Lo and Beyonce! These two didn't get the memo - TONE IT DOWN! Just because it states the "golden globes" doesn't mean you should follow the advice literally (a la J-Lo). And she's keeping her arms crossed because the cleavage is TOO revealing.

Now to Beyonce! Oh B! You're too beautiful to try to get all blinged out. My favorite look of yours was at the 2005 Oscars - a simple fitted black dress with dangling diamonds for earrings. Let the dress speaks for itself and have confidence that YOU could shine. Why didn't you follow that mantra here?

The Looks that gave me a PAUSE (In order): Renee Zellweger, Glenn Close, and Marisa Tomei. Let's start with Renee: I always look forward to what Renee is going to wear but I wasn't looking forward to was an "Addams Family" look-alike. OMG! She literally stopped me dead (no pun intended) in the tracks as I came out of the hallway to the livingroom. Who's the mortician? One more thing, repeat after me: Leave editorial looks to editorials (Vogue, W, WWD) and NOT THE RED CARPET!

Glenn Close - Ok, thread lightly because she made Fatal Attractions which scares a whole lotta people (particularly men). But how is it that a woman of her age (early 60s) with a banging bod decides to look matronly and cover everything up! And the pose looks like the female version of the Joker - I'm just saying . . .

Marisa Tomei - Another person with a great bod looking like she's about to read some fortunes. Gosh! These folks have money, they've got stylists (or those stylists should be fired pronto) and they decided to look like these . . .

Tags: Golden Globes

My Year Of "So What"

I know everyone have set and perhaps, broke their New Year's resolutions already but I'm not in the league of trying to lose weight. In fact, I've chosen for some years not to say I'm trying to be in better shape because I'll get the same response - the rolling of the eyes or someone saying something sarcastic like "where?"

I'm taking another route this year especially after I saw Dubya at the end of last year saying: "So what a guy throws a shoe at me (shrug of the shoulders)," then I remembered his sidekick Darth Vader (I mean Dick Cheney) saying "so" when ABC's Martha Raddaz asked him about Americans feeling their administration made a mistake on Iraq. Imagine that!

I thought to myself "Wow," what if I could be that cavalier about many things going on in my life or in America and just say "so what!" After all, Pink (love her) made a hit song about the catchy phrase - So what she got a divorce; have her ex appear on the video about the failure. Talk about a gutsy girl.

So here are some of my musings to "So what". . .

• So what I'm blunt. If you can't handle the truth, don't ask me my opinion. If you're dating a prince, I'll express my admiration and if you're dating a frog - boy will you get an earful. Or you'll just get silence. I'm not a politician and I'm not trying to win a base.


• So what I'm quite tall and still not afraid to rock my high-heels (like the 4 and 1/2 inches I'm wearing today). I own my height and I think everyone should own (or fake) theirs. Besides, I get the insane pleasure of knowing a guy has to focus on my real eyes and not elsewhere and could catch him if he does.


• So what I'm a girl who like sports and can question the fundamentals of an athlete's basketball game to the surprise of some but can still relate "sex and the city" (my girly side) to everyday life.


• So what I'm a "Scorpio." I don't know what the fuss is about with this sign when I tell someone my birth date - "Oh you're a Scorpio . . ." Yes I am. And though I'm sweet, I'll sting you if you keep bugging the living daylights out of me - with a smile:-)


• So what I'm smart, stylish and dare I say sexy. I don't think those traits should be mutually exclusive. And I'm tired of suppressing who I am to please others insecurities. In the words of Nelson Mandela "who are you not to be gorgeous, talented, . . .your playing small doesn't serve the world." I'm trying to follow his advice.


• So what for the first time in my adult life I found myself unemployed even after doing everything right. I needed the rest at first (a humorous way to look at my plight), and I increased in knowledge of who I am during these times.


• So what I fail at an endeavor or experienced a setback. At least I tried something. That's more to say than folks staying in the depths of their indecision.


• So what I'm this multi-dimensional, hard to figure out, can't-be-placed- in-a-box kind of girl. I'm logical yet have a deep abiding faith, analytical yet creative, realistic (to the outside world) but as a Matriarch of the family told me: "more idealistic" internally. If you can't deal with that . . . too bad, next


• So what this year I decide to change the trajectory of my life and decide to (or at least try)live to the true meaning of my name . . .

So, what are your "so what" moments? Love to read the comments.

Senate: Let The Brother In

Democrats: Ya'll getting on my last nerves! Seriously, what was up with the spectacle with Roland Burris? I know you're mad (i.e Harry Reid) that the somewhat insane Blago gave you a "screw you" move by picking Burris. But come on, it's within Blago's rights as a sitting (albeit disappointing) Governor. Burris should NOT be made a scapegoat for Blago's alleged indiscretions.

Do you guys really think it looks good bickering on a legally appointed Senator? So what if he can't win in two years; there are other Dems in Illinois who could raise funds and fill the seat after 2010.

Besides, you have a Democratic President-elect who will be taking office in two weeks; don't you think he really needs to have more of you on his side to get the bills pass? In the words of Aretha Franklin: "You betta think." Stop the whining, forgo your bruised egos and get with the nation's program for goodness sake - Put Roland Burris in his rightful seat.


Tags: Roland Burris, Senate

Back For 2009

Happy New Year!!! I'm back and I missed my blogging ways. So what did I really miss since I've been gone? A LOT! But here's my quick take on stuff the past two weeks:

1. Caroline Kennedy Wants Hillary's Seat: Oh sweet Caroline! You know I don't fault you for being part of a dynasty. As I told some family members who disagreed with me; this nation was founded on dynasties - Adams, Bushes (God Help us), Kennedys, Rockfellers, etc You know. Even the New York Governor (a fave) is a son of New York's former Secretary of State. So if you want Hillary's former senator seat, go for it you know. But I've got to say this: It might help your case if you don't say "you know" so much after every sentence. You know.


2. Blago Picks Burris: Slimy, Slimy, Slimy but within Blago's rights as Governor. That Governor sure knows how to stick it to the people who so wanted him out of his position yesterday. What he did by picking Roland Burris to replace Barack Obama was legal; ethical - well, that's another story.
   
3. Bobby Rush Puts Race in Illinois Senate race: I hate (ok, despise) it when folks use racism for every subject matter. Such was the case with Bobbie Rush telling the Media last week not to "hang" or "lynch" the "appointee" (Burris) but separate him from the appointor" (Blago). First of all, what the hell (ok, heck or maybe just use WTH) was Rush talking about when the Media was within its rights to ask critical questions. Second, how dare he brings up the "lynch," hang, and plantation (for people in the Senate) words when we just elected America's first black President? Third, as astute (or is that stretching) as he is, why should he bring up such visual to perpetuate divisiveness. These are stuff that just makes me wanna holla!
4. Don't Call It A Memoir: This makes the second time (the first was James Frey) the Big O (Oprah) has been fooled by another author calling his book a "memoir." This time, the author (Herman Rosenblaut) lives in my neck of the woods - South Florida. Let's establish some new rules for all these authors lying (or embellishing the truth) about memoirs: NEW RULES: I know you think calling a book a "memoir" will help move the book quickly off the shelves and you're right BUT if only a tiny part of what you call a "Memoir" actually happened - IT IS FICTION or you could use "semi-autobiographical." That way the Queen of all Media (and all the readers she influences) will know you embellished part of your life. By the way, what's so wrong with fiction? Heard of Stephen King or J.K Rowling?
5. Charles Barkley DUI Arrest: Huh! This was a kick in the gut! Sir Charles happens to be one of my "favorite people." What was he thinking? The salacious details about the arrest is not for me to type - read the link for yourself. But come on! You supposed to be smarter than this! Let's establish new rules on folks especially celebrities with DUIs. New Rules: If you have to drink, DON'T DRIVE. Also, if you have to drink, HIRE A DRIVER - how difficult can that be when you can surely afford it.

Those are just a few things I needed to get off my chest . . .
Tags: Caroline Kennedy, Roland Burris, Charles Barkley, Herman Rosenblaut