The Lessons From the "Miami Thrice"

I didn't want to make any post but I've been thinking a lot about the whole hoopla Lebron James caused last week. Ok, unless you were living under a rock, you heard Lebron caused a major shift in the basketball world; perhaps in the whole sports world.

Let me disclose one fact: I'm a HUGE Miami Heat fan and for a few days last weekend, I was filled with glee and thrilled other basketball teams are mad at us. However, I still think the way Lebron made his "decision" on ESPN was ill-advised. I totally respected his "decision" but not the way he went about it. Comprehende? It's like there are times you may need to breakup with someone. But as a pivotal "Sex and The City" episode showed us, you don't do it over a post-it note or in more recent faux pas: Text messages or on FaceBook. Seriously!

That being said, there are lessons to be learned about all these free agency debate. It's good, nay great to take control of your own destiny regardless of how others have envisioned your lot in life. The reason many are mad with Lebron, D-Wade, and Chris Bosh was they took the steering wheel of their careers and lives instead of owners, GMs and agents. These "Miami Thrice" guys figured they don't want an organization to run their bodies to the ground and no hardware (rings) to show for it. So to h*** to everyone who don't like it and spun their noses at them or burn their jerseys for their choice because secretly, those haters would want to be them. Hi haters!

So how're you going to take the reins of your life? Sometimes you have to bust of your confining environment and take your talents elsewhere where they will flourish. In Lebron's case, he said he was "taking his talents to South Beach . . ." I say to him, welcome aboard.

Housekeeping Matters

Yes, I'm alive. I came on my blog (for now) to announce some future plans I have about restructuring my online life only to see a few vulgar comments as if this was a dumpster for such crudity. Oh don't get it twisted: Just because you see the title of this blog as "afroamericawriter" doesn't say this is not one multi-cultural global sista! So using another language to post comments, with a few keystrokes I could readily translate them to real meanings - which I won't dignify to repeat but found their fate with the "delete" button.

But to my international readers who used sincere words in their native tongue: Thank you! I truly appreciate the kind words and here I thought this was just a small service I did. And for the English as first language commenters, know you were also missed but you will "see" me soon; hint: Not on "Blogger" host but something better and with my own control . . .

Oh and note to self: the comment moderation will now be enabled. Peace.

Going Dark For A While . . . And Giving Thanks

Hello Readers:

So what happened in the last month since I've been gone? I celebrated a birthday, my brother celebrates a milestone one today (Happy Bday again S., love you) and tomorrow is Thanksgiving.

During this time, I've taken to heart what Socrates spoke about an "unexamined life" and taken a hard look at mine. I want to rediscover ME and take a break of talking (in my case, writing) about the muddled world around me.

So I want to say thanks for reading. This blog served the purpose it was created for - you got to see how I really think along the way; I don't suffer fools.

But a person who loves to have fun also. I can't deal with people who are too serious. Funny, some folks have confessed that seeing me for the first time intimidated them until they saw the other side - the silly side.

I'm OUT getting to know the next phase in my journey . . . Peace

Hanging Out With The Boys

So what's bugging me today? I just found out it's wrong to hang out with one's own gender. Oh you didn't hear the story? Actually it's about our President (again) and the hoopla for hanging out with the boys to shoot some hoops and not inviting women. The horror.

The Prez called the news "bunk" and I'm thinking a more colorful word - the initials "B.S" come to mind. But where the Prez lost me was doing th P.C thing by inviting a female golfer to the White House to tee with him. Gosh, I definitely know I'm not called to politics. To me, that weakened his position. He didn't need to do that to show he's for feminist rights.

Now I'm unapologetically a feminist. Not in the way of thinking men are unnecessary (though sometimes I wonder), but to provide fairness in the field of life. But come on!

When I want to spend time with some friends as "girls night out," the invite means just what it says:NO BOYS ALLOWED. Not that I don't have love for the brothers but doggone it, I need a BREAK from you once in a while. What is so different with the Prez who has a wife, two daughters, a mother-in-law, and hired more women in his administration than any history?

Seriously people, give the guy a break and hanging out with his boys for some time to shoot some hoops could be a start.

Watching Oprah on Praying Robber

Pardon how this post will appear cuz I'm blogging from a handheld device and not my computer.

I'm going through a range of emotions with the 23 year old guy (Greg) who's black and robbed(well attempted to rob) the white lady(Angela) in the check cashing store but they ended up praying together.The robber later turned himself in and Oprah had all parties involved on the show; well Greg from his jail via satellite.

I actually cried watching this story - yeah even me the so-called tough chick cried because of the mercy and grace reflected in the story.

Greg said no one has ever spoken to him the way Angela did and he did not excuse himself for what he did even though he's been out of work for a year and was a former soldier but he was tired of feeling less than man who couldn't provide for his family.

Have you guys watched the movie "John Q?" You know how you were rooting Denzel's character John but you still felt bad in the end because he still had to go to prison? That's how I feel.

But then Oprah flipped the script with comedian Wanda Sykes who's had me laughing on topical issues only for Bebe and Cece Winans close the show with a great song called "grace." How appropo for the song to be dedicated to Greg.

Stop Hatin . . . Appreciate The Prez Nobel Peace Prize

I'm supposed to be studying but you know what happens when I have something bugging me . . . I blog about the subject. Such as the hoopla over President Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize.

Now I'd admit waking up Friday morning and hearing the news was a surprise. More like "really, wow!" But afterwards, I thought to myself "well, good for America!" Oh but I found out later that others didn't share the same sentiments. It felt as if the President stole something.

I really despise ignorance. And the sad thing is the 24 hours news cycle don't do justice to educating the masses how previous laureates won the influential prize. Granted I won't put President Obama in the same category as Mother Teresa - another Nobel Prize winner; infact, no one comes close. But you know someone who did and never got a Nobel Peace Prize? Mahatma Gandhi. I know right; the horror.

So for all the shouting talking heads who said the President hasn't accomplished anything, I say check your history. Yes, sometimes laureates have won for many years toiling in the struggle like previously mentioned Mother Teresa but others have won for just bringing awareness to an issue (such as Al Gore for climate change) or being a driving force behind a movement (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr for civil rights).

President Obama becomes the third African American and third sitting U.S. President in history to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The two African Americans (Ralph Bunche and MLK)were speaking out against racism and inequality. While they were doing so, the civil rights law was no where close (especially during Bunche's time)and about a year later after MLK won. Now the critics are right: you can't compare Obama to other U.S sitting Presidents because he's only been in the office for nine months. But guess what, the nomination was over just 11 days after his inauguration.

So what do you want him to do? Give up the prize? You must have bump your head! Don't hate because they wanted to bestow such honor to a person who represents an "aspiration" to what's yet to come. As previously stated, there have been many notables who got the prize just for that with less controversy. And the President struck the right tone by saying how surprised and humbled he was . . . and not to be compared to transformative figures who've won the prize. Ok, I disagree with the latter part of his speech. Obama became a transformative figure on Nov 4, 2008 when he became the first African American President.

Extra, Extra! Read All About It

More like Wear it as it proved in last night's (my morning) Project Runway which I wanted to live blog as I was watching a couple of hours ago but no capability here. Yes, Newspapers (a dying industry - just kidding) was the challenge for the episode. The designers went to the Los Angeles Times building and got stacks and stacks of paper to create a fashion forward outfit relevant for 2009 from when it was first introduced on the runways over 40 years ago.

These are the challenges I absolutely love (something from the grocery store, car and now, newspapers). And you got to see the private catfights from two lady designers: Irina and Althea (who won last week's challenge). Irina felt Althea shouldn't have won the challenge because she just did a suit (I agreed but she was the only one who made three pieces to others one or two-piece and she had the BEST walker for a model who sold the outfit).

Also, Althea won immunity - she cannot be eliminated for the next (this) challenge. Then Althea is also gossiping about how Irina's paper coat looks weird (Meow). More on those two later because the judges chose theirs as two of the three best outfits.

Another lesson learned from last night's Runway: THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS. In modern day speak: Thou shall not lie. Such was the memo sent to Johnny, though it came too late. You don't lie and how many times do these designers have to get it in their freaking heads: LISTEN TO TIM GUNN! There's a reason he's spent over 30 years in the fashion industry. Johnny flat out lied for why his paper colorful-faces dress was sub-par that a steam iron destroyed his first outfit. The guy was solving a cross-word puzzle when others were slaving over their outfits. NOT COOL!

Another memo goes to Nicholas: Don't be a legend in your own mind. Nicholas feel all the other designers there are not as talented as him. I'll give him this: He knows how to call the loser designers each week including him because he struggled really bad trying to figure out how to use paper to make an outfit. His outfit along with Johnny's and Georgina (not exact spelling but sounds like that) were the bottom three.

Now to the judges: The guest judges were Tommy Hilfiger, Eva Longoria Parker (love her) and editor of Marie (Zoe "Something"). They picked, as previously stated Irina and Althea's plus Christopher's (one of my fave designers). I didn't think Althea's should have been one of the top 3, I was floored by Louise outfit with something that looked like the "statement jewelry" in magazines attached to the dress. It just looked regal.

I would have pulled Christopher's as the winner with the bottom part of the dress looking like feathers and the top like a leather bustier (hard-paper). But I think because Irina (even though her coat was magnificent) hasn't won a challenge, she got the top prize and IMMUNITY. And Johnny, was sent packing.

Tag: Project Runway