So here I was waiting to watch the tribute to Michael Jackson by many especially that of Janet (Ms. Jackson if you're nasty). And it seemed the night at the VMAs was going fine until you knew it, Kanye West who wasn't even in the category to win an award got on stage and took away a teenager's (Taylor Swift) moment of winning her first VMA. What the hell?
Hey Kanye, how about picking on someone your own size? I didn't see you get on stage when Eminem won. You acted like a bully and gosh what alternate universe do you live in that makes you think you're the king and the rest of us are your subjects. Have you lost your ever-loving mind? Too late, you already did with some help from Hennessy.
And to cheapen the moment of both Swift's and the King of Pop (which contrary to your view, you're NOT his reincarnation) to the point that nobody is talking about the great duet dance of Janet with her video brother or the new generation dancing of her brother legendary moves only your CLASSLESS move is beyond appaling.
I don't care how many apologies you've issued, yes you are sorry and I don't mean it in the way you think. You're sorry for getting on that stage, you're sorry for dragging Beyonce to your tirade, and you're sorry for acting like an ignorant negro (yeah I said it).
Speaking of Beyonce, a woman you Kanye could learn an ounce of "class" from instead of being two letters removed from the word: She has gained a whole new level of respect from this girl by bringing back Swift to the stage to have her stolen moment when she could relish it for herself for winning "Video of the Year." And you, Kanye . . . have just lost a fan.
P.S. I intentionally chose not to embed that infamous video; afterall, we've seen it enough.
Tags: VMAs 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Runway Season 6
For those fans who expect me to be serious most times, sorry to disappoint you but it's fall (well technically on September 22nd) and for all fashionistas out there, this is the best season ever! This is time to show your real style and one show ALL (even those who won't admit it) fashionistas have to make a date with is PROJECT RUNWAY! Even folks who aren't fashionistas are Runway fans like my TV friend Jon Stewart (miss you the last three weeks) as seen with Tim Gunn (a genius) promoting the new season.
Runway has given us four episodes of the new season and it's time for me to give my musings: It's freaking great! Even a new city (Los Angeles) didn't dampen the show from it's previous home, the fashion capital - New York. And my three favorite designers (pictured above and in other) are Ra'mon, Epperson, Christopher.
What no women? Well there are a few bright spots that tickle my fancy like Louise with her vintage but edgy designs but the guys are my favorite not only for their obvious talents (and clothes of theirs I could see myself wearing) but their compelling life stories: Ra'mon was studying to be guess this - a neurosurgeon (isn't it great not to see a stereotypical rapper or athlete- in the words of Seinfeld: Not that there's anything wrong with that) but almost in his final year, quit med school to follow his passion for fashion.
Then Epperson, a 49-year old man, he could be a father to some of the designers (said his oldest child is 26) has had a life as a successful window designer (have you seen Macy's or Barneys in New York during the holidays?) but wanted to give his hidden desire of making his own designs a try.
Lastly, Christopher (who won the first episode challenge) is there with raw talent even if he's never been professionally trained in the fashion schools or regular formal education and according to the poll of Lifetime, he's leading all designers as "fans favorite."
My favorite episode so far was Episode 3 with "Rumble on the Runway" where it was a team challenge and they had to create a "surfer" and "avantgarde" look that will complement each other. You talk about drama! First of all, I knew there will be trouble when Qristyl (who I thought should have gone in the first episode), the team leader (pronounced Crystal - don't even want to go there) picked Epperson. I was like "hmmn, all your skin folk, ain't your kin folk" (to quote a great writer). Just because both of them were black, doesn't mean they were going to get along. And I was right - the drama was epic! In the words of Qristyl (who was supposed to be the team leader but Epperson thought he was), it was "a bad marriage." Their vision was conflicting and they were in the bottom two because their garments showed the confusion.
Second, was when Mitchell (the team leader in embedded video) picked Ra'mon as teammate and you knew (and Mitchell said) it that he wanted to ride on Ra'mon's coattail because he's been in the bottom two for two weeks in a row. Ra'mon did almost all the work even with time deadline and threat of elimination from Tim Gunn if one design didn't make it to the Runway. And their looks won but another history was made: first time the teammate (not to talk of the leader) of the winning look was eliminated.
I'm looking forward to more episodes but those are my musings so far . . .
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Tim Gunn | ||||
| ||||
Runway has given us four episodes of the new season and it's time for me to give my musings: It's freaking great! Even a new city (Los Angeles) didn't dampen the show from it's previous home, the fashion capital - New York. And my three favorite designers (pictured above and in other) are Ra'mon, Epperson, Christopher.
What no women? Well there are a few bright spots that tickle my fancy like Louise with her vintage but edgy designs but the guys are my favorite not only for their obvious talents (and clothes of theirs I could see myself wearing) but their compelling life stories: Ra'mon was studying to be guess this - a neurosurgeon (isn't it great not to see a stereotypical rapper or athlete- in the words of Seinfeld: Not that there's anything wrong with that) but almost in his final year, quit med school to follow his passion for fashion.
Then Epperson, a 49-year old man, he could be a father to some of the designers (said his oldest child is 26) has had a life as a successful window designer (have you seen Macy's or Barneys in New York during the holidays?) but wanted to give his hidden desire of making his own designs a try.
Lastly, Christopher (who won the first episode challenge) is there with raw talent even if he's never been professionally trained in the fashion schools or regular formal education and according to the poll of Lifetime, he's leading all designers as "fans favorite."
My favorite episode so far was Episode 3 with "Rumble on the Runway" where it was a team challenge and they had to create a "surfer" and "avantgarde" look that will complement each other. You talk about drama! First of all, I knew there will be trouble when Qristyl (who I thought should have gone in the first episode), the team leader (pronounced Crystal - don't even want to go there) picked Epperson. I was like "hmmn, all your skin folk, ain't your kin folk" (to quote a great writer). Just because both of them were black, doesn't mean they were going to get along. And I was right - the drama was epic! In the words of Qristyl (who was supposed to be the team leader but Epperson thought he was), it was "a bad marriage." Their vision was conflicting and they were in the bottom two because their garments showed the confusion.
Second, was when Mitchell (the team leader in embedded video) picked Ra'mon as teammate and you knew (and Mitchell said) it that he wanted to ride on Ra'mon's coattail because he's been in the bottom two for two weeks in a row. Ra'mon did almost all the work even with time deadline and threat of elimination from Tim Gunn if one design didn't make it to the Runway. And their looks won but another history was made: first time the teammate (not to talk of the leader) of the winning look was eliminated.
I'm looking forward to more episodes but those are my musings so far . . .
Tags: Project Runway
Ellen In, Paula Out
Y'all didn't think I was going to let "Idol" news slip by without offering my opinion with all the buzz even though the season ended months ago.
First of all, let me be clear: Paula Abdul is not my favorite judge, that honor goes to Simon Cowell. My reveal tells you a little thing about me: tell me the truth regardless of how it stings. Simon does that very well and love him or hate him on Idol, he is the voice of reason - for the most part.
But Paula with all her oft-loopiness served a purpose: You also need someone who could be gentle especially when you're just a kid plucked from obscurity into a national limelight. I think Paula gets that because from being counted out from a young girl in ballet training to being a one-time multi-platinum pop diva, she knows the rigours. That's why I think it was wrong to let her walk away. It was wrong not paying her a comparable salary to the big boys club. It shows the fight many women still keep fighting in this country by being paid 77 cents to the guy's Dollar for the same job. Then the bombshell a couple of days ago: Ellen DeGeneres will replace Paula. Say what!
Second thing, I happen to like Ellen. I think she's adorable and I know she "performs" in front of millions each day but to JUDGE A SINGING COMPETITION? Come on! And granted Paula is no "accomplished" singer; face it, she ain't Whitney (Welcome back Ms. Houston). But she has sang and can recognize tone, pitch, melody, etc you need for music. I'll never forget a couple of seasons ago, Simon was ready to write off this female singer from the audition, and Randy was on the fence. Paula was the only one who stood for her saying she should try and sing a "Dolly Parton" song because it seems she has a voice like Dolly's. The problem was: This singer didn't know any Dolly Parton song. So they gave her some time while auditioning others to find and practice a "Dolly" song. She came back and nailed the audition, went to Hollywood.
Now do you think Ellen is going to figure that out? I don't know. And I get all the "voice of the people" reason Ellen gave when she announced the news because I judge those singers and I'm not in the music industry and most times I'm right and other times I'm wrong. But I still want the final word to be from an expert and that, Ellen is not. Do I think the experiment will work? I think so . . . like I said Ellen is adorable and people tune in for the most part to see someone get a shot at their dreams, even it's a pie-in-the-sky one for those who can't even carry a tune (another reason people watch).
Do I think Ellen's pick is a fair one? Nope! I think it's another dig at Paula saying she wasn't really a "singer." And that's my truth . . . coming from a fan of Simon's.
Tag: American Idol, Paula Abdul, Ellen DeGeneres
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Lion Sleeps
Like many Americans, I woke up to the big news of the day that Sen. Ted Kennedy or "Uncle Teddy" as he's lovingly called passed during the night. If you've noticed, I've taken an intentional break from blogging while I figure out the next direction to take my online habits. But I would be remiss if I didn't put in an entry for a political figure that I ACTUALLY admire greatly.
Yes, even me who thinks politics is a dirty game and I've used a significant amount of time to blog about the shenanigans. But I'm also a big believer in still being part of the process; the main reason I vote. And I'd like to thank Uncle Teddy for given me that right to do so with the Voters Right Act and changing the voter's age to 18. Yes, all you kids (I can't believe I'm saying that) who "Barack-ed" the vote last year and the minute amount of you who couldn't wait to cast your vote for the opposing party, you got that right from Uncle Teddy.
If you are a woman in college able to play sports and equally use working facilities to train, you got Uncle Teddy to thank for passing Title IX. If you are an immigrant or the child of an immigrant (like I am), you have Uncle Teddy to thank for the Immigration Act because of his fundamental belief that we are a "nation of immigrants," a nod to his Irish roots.
Time will not permit me to talk about Disability Act, Medicare, law against Hate against sexual orientation, Medicaid, Martin Luther King Holiday, OMG Civil Rights Act. You name it, in almost 50 years, Uncle Teddy has had a hand in it. He showed with his failed bid for Presidency, that you didn't have to rise to highest office of the land to live a life of significance.
And as a part-time Bostonian, I mourn and reflect on this Lion's legacy today. One of my Uncles said in jest some years ago about Uncle Teddy that he didn't have to ever campaign for re-election in Massachusetts, he just won on default and no one dares run against him. We laughed at it because it was so true.
Just in case you're wondering about the title and if I'm in denial - no I'm NOT. I'm a person of faith and I don't see death as others do. I see it as a passage and in the biblical sense, I used the word "sleeps" intentionally. So as I said at a friend's memorial five years ago, "I'm not saying goodbye, I say see you later."
In the meantime, I hope we could glean something from Uncle Teddy's life - a complex one to say the least. I'm not denying the fact that he definitely wasn't perfect but he showed us no matter how "muddled" our lives could be even from our own faults, we can grow up, our better selves are still ahead of us and fighting for a "just America" as he used to say, is a worthy cause.
Tag: Edward M. Kennedy
Yes, even me who thinks politics is a dirty game and I've used a significant amount of time to blog about the shenanigans. But I'm also a big believer in still being part of the process; the main reason I vote. And I'd like to thank Uncle Teddy for given me that right to do so with the Voters Right Act and changing the voter's age to 18. Yes, all you kids (I can't believe I'm saying that) who "Barack-ed" the vote last year and the minute amount of you who couldn't wait to cast your vote for the opposing party, you got that right from Uncle Teddy.
If you are a woman in college able to play sports and equally use working facilities to train, you got Uncle Teddy to thank for passing Title IX. If you are an immigrant or the child of an immigrant (like I am), you have Uncle Teddy to thank for the Immigration Act because of his fundamental belief that we are a "nation of immigrants," a nod to his Irish roots.
Time will not permit me to talk about Disability Act, Medicare, law against Hate against sexual orientation, Medicaid, Martin Luther King Holiday, OMG Civil Rights Act. You name it, in almost 50 years, Uncle Teddy has had a hand in it. He showed with his failed bid for Presidency, that you didn't have to rise to highest office of the land to live a life of significance.
And as a part-time Bostonian, I mourn and reflect on this Lion's legacy today. One of my Uncles said in jest some years ago about Uncle Teddy that he didn't have to ever campaign for re-election in Massachusetts, he just won on default and no one dares run against him. We laughed at it because it was so true.
Just in case you're wondering about the title and if I'm in denial - no I'm NOT. I'm a person of faith and I don't see death as others do. I see it as a passage and in the biblical sense, I used the word "sleeps" intentionally. So as I said at a friend's memorial five years ago, "I'm not saying goodbye, I say see you later."
In the meantime, I hope we could glean something from Uncle Teddy's life - a complex one to say the least. I'm not denying the fact that he definitely wasn't perfect but he showed us no matter how "muddled" our lives could be even from our own faults, we can grow up, our better selves are still ahead of us and fighting for a "just America" as he used to say, is a worthy cause.
Tag: Edward M. Kennedy
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Thank You, Bubba.
Politics aside, you may not care for President William Jefferson Clinton as your ideal candidate but as an American, as a person who cares to see a wife, mother, daughter, sister reunited with her loved ones, you have to give A BIG THANK YOU in the case of journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee.
Bubba is back! And the past couple of days have been one of those time capsules that make you say what a great country! I mean his wife lost to our now President and he made it known he was upset but when your country needs you, put all differences aside and step up to the plate, support your President, get out of your wife's way as Secretary of State and do what's required.
For this cynic, I won't lie, it was moving to see Former VP Al Gore give a bear hug to Bubba (can't help it) as he got came down the steps of the plane and I thought for a moment "what if?" What if Gore became President, would America's image have been tarnished that bad. But we got Barack because Bush was that bad (Oh admit it). So with a hand to my heart, I'd like to say Thank you, President Clinton. And as a nice present, here's something from Jon Stewart that also show my sentiments:
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| William Jefferson Airplane | ||||
| ||||
Friday, July 24, 2009
Jon Stewart Is "Most Trusted"
Give it up for one of my favorite guys on Television, Jon Stew
art for winning the poll as most trusted newsmaker in America. Wow! In light of Walter Cronkite's passing (RIP), this poll was taken to see the pulse of who could replace the "anchorman's" legend. And most folks chose Jon Stewart.
art for winning the poll as most trusted newsmaker in America. Wow! In light of Walter Cronkite's passing (RIP), this poll was taken to see the pulse of who could replace the "anchorman's" legend. And most folks chose Jon Stewart. Ok so, I've been a fan of Stewart since college. I normally have a good radar for folks who are full of B.S. and those who are authentic even if they are hosting a "fake news show" ( a la Stewart) and I pegged Stewart as the latter.
But many seemed to come to the game late up till oh about five years ago (2004 elections) when Stewart's star as they say in Hollywood really started to rise. And he served notice to the so-called news media that he isn't just a comedian but a brilliant guy who causes us not to take for lack of a better word, the B.S.
His memorable moments for me include his guest appearance on the now defunct program "CrossFire" with Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala, which many people believed got cancelled after Stewart's showed the ridiculousness of their "outrage" on things that don't matter to most Americans. And of course, the Daily Show coverage of the Katrina event. They (the crew and its host) deserved all the awards they got. Who was the one that found out Dubya hired a person who's only emergency experience was been over Arabian horses (here's looking at you Brownie) to put him as head of Homeland Security? The Daily Show NOT the regular news media!
At one time, the news media brushed him off as just the court jester but they forgot the history of the court jester - he normally had the ear of the King and the ear of the people. And he could show the King the errors of his ways in an amusing fashion when his dignitaries would only say things to tickle his ears. Now any Media personality who's worth his dough listens to Stewart and tries to be on program to get an audience. Oh the sweet smell of success. Kudos to you Stewart.
An Officer And A Gentleman
There's one advantage to switching more to a weekly blog cuz of my schedule and that is you have some time to look at some news story from various ends before writing your first reaction. But sometimes, I feel such advantage defeats the purpose of a blog - instant reaction.
What am I talking about? Oh the whole Skip Gates (aka Henry Louis Gates) and the Cambridge Officer, Sergent James Crowley incident. As a person who knows Boston quite well, let me say I'm not shocked by the incident. Just today, one of my Uncles told me a friend (who's black) of his gets stopped by the police most times he's going in to check on one of the properties he OWNS. I guess because they might not think a brother could won a property others rent from him.
Anyhoo, the story reached a bowling point when my President decided to answer the last question from the snoozefest (I mean the Healthcare Reform Press Conference) from Lynn Sweeney about Skip. Check it out:
But folks didn't hear the whole reasoning Obama made about racial profiling. What they focused on were two words: "Acted Stupidly" in relation to the Cambridge Police. I'm glad Obama didn't give a "politically correct" speech even though it would have served him better but the Cambridge Police did act stupidly if you slapped handcuffs on a 68 (not 58 per police report) year old man walking with a cane in his OWN HOME.
Now I truly believe that a little guilt should be given to Gates for overreaction but think about the irony of the situation, Skip is a Professor who's made his life's mission studying about race, tracing black folks' "roots," etc, to be the subject of what he's taught. I also believe that there was some serious EGO going on with Sergent James Crowley to make an example of Skip for standing to him which he had the right - it WAS HIS HOME. Do I think race played a significant role in all this? Well in the words of an Aunt: I don't care about the whole spin, all I know is if Skip was a white man, he wouldn't have been placed in handcuffs. And for me: I'll say in the words of the X-files - THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE.
Tags: Henry Louis Gates, Racial Profiling
What am I talking about? Oh the whole Skip Gates (aka Henry Louis Gates) and the Cambridge Officer, Sergent James Crowley incident. As a person who knows Boston quite well, let me say I'm not shocked by the incident. Just today, one of my Uncles told me a friend (who's black) of his gets stopped by the police most times he's going in to check on one of the properties he OWNS. I guess because they might not think a brother could won a property others rent from him.
Anyhoo, the story reached a bowling point when my President decided to answer the last question from the snoozefest (I mean the Healthcare Reform Press Conference) from Lynn Sweeney about Skip. Check it out:
But folks didn't hear the whole reasoning Obama made about racial profiling. What they focused on were two words: "Acted Stupidly" in relation to the Cambridge Police. I'm glad Obama didn't give a "politically correct" speech even though it would have served him better but the Cambridge Police did act stupidly if you slapped handcuffs on a 68 (not 58 per police report) year old man walking with a cane in his OWN HOME.
Now I truly believe that a little guilt should be given to Gates for overreaction but think about the irony of the situation, Skip is a Professor who's made his life's mission studying about race, tracing black folks' "roots," etc, to be the subject of what he's taught. I also believe that there was some serious EGO going on with Sergent James Crowley to make an example of Skip for standing to him which he had the right - it WAS HIS HOME. Do I think race played a significant role in all this? Well in the words of an Aunt: I don't care about the whole spin, all I know is if Skip was a white man, he wouldn't have been placed in handcuffs. And for me: I'll say in the words of the X-files - THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE.
Tags: Henry Louis Gates, Racial Profiling
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