Charles Barkley Arrested on Suspicion of DUI

Charles Barkley joins the ranks of Diana Ross, Heather Locklear and Queen Latifah, all of whom have been arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. He was arrested by an Arizona tasks force which specializes in targeting drunk drivers. Read the story here. All I have to say to celebrities is WHERE THE HELL IS YOUR DRIVER!!! It is not like you cannot afford to call a car if you have been indulging. I would like to know what others think about this trend and driving while intoxicated, especially on the biggest celebration night of the year.

United States Oldest Living Male Dies at 112

George Francis, the nation's oldest man who lived through both world wars, man's first walk on the moon and got to vote for the first black president, has died. UCLA gerontologist, Stephen Coles, who maintains a list of the world's oldest people, said Francis lived 112 years and 204 days. Read entire story here.

Old School Friday - I Can Drink To That

It seems that back in the good old days adults use to get together every Friday for fish, barbeque, beer and liquor. It wasn't a house party without the music of James Brown. I grew up listening to it at home and when I started going to quarter parties in basements, Brown was always on the turntable. Kick back and listen to "Sex Machine", enjoy the dance lesson provided by Mr. Brown and then groove to "Papa Don't Take No Mess" and "Gimme My Thang".

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Mrs. Grapevine

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate, any music genre

2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999

3. No offensive words allowed, please use the edited radio version

4. Post video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane

5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out

6. Have fun and don't forget to leave comments for other participants

To join in the fun, click here

Eartha Kitt Succumbs at 81

Sultry sex symbol of the 40, 50's and 60's died of colon cancer today. She was one of the most versatile actresses of all time, winning two Emmys, two Grammys and having several Tony nominations. Her career spanned a total of six decades, from her start as a dancer in the famed Katherine Durham troupe to her work on stage, in film and on vinyl. She penned three autobiographies throughout her life and was once dubbed the "most exciting woman in the world" by Orson Welles.

Kitt came from humble South Carolina beginnings and was of mixed heritage. She made headline news for denouncing the Vietnam War while visiting the White House. This incident caused her to be blacklisted for many years. I first remember seeing Ms. Kitt opposite Nat King Cole in the film "St. Louis Blues". Younger audiences might remember her as the much older woman after Eddie Murphy in "Boomerang". Others may remember her as one of the Catwomen on the campy 60's series "Batman".

For years, Kitt was unsure of her birthplace or birth date. In 1997, a group of students at historically black Benedict College in Columbia, S.C., located her birth certificate, which verified her birth date as Jan. 17, 1927. Kitt had previously celebrated on Jan. 26. The research into her background also showed Kitt was the daughter of a white man, a poor cotton farmer.

Enjoy Ms Kitt spreading some holiday cheer.

Old School Friday - It's Christmas

I am not a Christmas person, but I do like the music and films associated with the season. I have chosen two of my favorite old school Christmas songs. The Ojays "Christmas Just Ain't Christmas Without the One You Love" and the Emotions "What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas". No when you see the video for the latter song you may ask why Alicia Keys is in the video. I don't know why who ever uploaded the song dubbed it into an Alicia Keys video, but one thing for sure, this is the original song being performed by the Emotions. Enjoy the selections and I wish all who visit a Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, or just a very pleasant week ahead!

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

SEXTING!

I do not have teenagers (thank the Lord), but I know what it is like to be a parent. I often think how difficult it is to be a parent and an adolescent in today's world. Let me tell you that I hate the news because it is all about the negative, rarely emphasizing the positive, however sometimes I do learn something by not switching the channel as soon as a newcast comes on the airwaves. Is anyone out there familiar with sexting?

From what I am told sexting is texting semi nude or nude photos to the object of your affection. In my day we use to pass notes (but I digress), but now in the technological age we are able to reach out in a more intimate way;-) Text-messaging, it seems, has become the communication mode of choice among teenagers. That has opened the door to growing abuses.

Apparently teens taking risqué photos of themselves is turning into a full-on epidemic. Researchers from Teenage Research Unlimited have finally put some hard numbers to the anecdotes about teens getting themselves in trouble with revealing photos. According to the study, commissioned by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and and unplanned pregnancy and CosmoGirl.com, 22-percent of teenage girls and 18-percent of boys have taken nude or semi-nude photos of themselves and sent them to someone or posted them online. And a third of young adults (20-26 years old) have done the same.Young adults and teens view sending these photos and suggestive text messages as simple digital flirting. 39-percent of teens and 59-precent of those young adults say they've sent naughty texts a means of flirting.

Do you think this is harmless flirting or is it a growing problem among teens?

Cadillac Records

I just saw the film "Cadillac Records" and I am rating two thumbs up! The reason this film rates four stars out four is because of the characterizations seem so real. Most biopics sugarcoat reality, but this one seems to tell it like it is, warts and all. The film tells the story of Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody) and singer Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright) and the founding of Chess Records in Chicago.

There are some standout performances, Columbus Short as Little Walter was my favorite depiction in the film, but all of the the performance were absolutely wonderful. Mos Def portrays an excellent Chuck Berry, duck walk and all. I was wondering if Beyonce could pull off a convincing Etta James and she does. Beyonce was also the executive producer of the movie.

I don't want to reveal the plot, but if you enjoy musical biographies I guarantee you will love this film.

Celebrate The Inauguration!

On January 20, Barack Obama will be sworn in as president. I received an email from MOVE ON (an organization of which I am a member) and they have developed this cool inaugural t-shirt that all Obama supporters should be wearing on January 20. 2009. Even if we all cannot be in Washington DC physically on this auspicious day, we can be there in spirit and support our president elect.

Barack Obama has said many times that he can't deliver universal health care or a sweeping clean energy policy on his own. We all need to do our part.

MOVE ON has launched a campaign called "Real Voices for Change" to make Obama's progressive mandate impossible to ignore. We're organizing grassroots events. We're putting together a major ad campaign. And MOVE ON members are already out gathering messages of support from their neighbors.

We're going to make sure the voice of the people speaks louder than the HMO lobbyists and oil companies and purchasing this t-shirt will accomplish this goal. To get a t-shirt click here.

Old School Fridays - Actors Who Can Sing and Vice Versa

There are too many in either category for me to name. For instance, Isaac Hayes, Gladys Knight, and Aretha Franklin come to mind as singers who from time to time have acted. Almost every old school actor can sing, a skill that is part and parcel of an actor. How about a dancer, who could act and sing. I chose the late Gregory Hines who was a true triple threat. I was astounded when I heard him hold his own with Luther Vandross. Here are the two legends singing "There's Nothing Better Than Love".

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Old School Friday: Stevie Wonder Tribute!

I have never met a person who did not love the music of Stevie Wonder. When I was a very small girl my teen aged uncle had the opportunity of seeing Stevie Wonder in one of his first concerts at the IMA Auditorium in Flint, Michigan when fingertips was all the rage. I recall being very jealous that I was unable to go. Some 40 plus years later I attended his concert last December. To read about the experience Click Here.

Since I never met a Stevie tune that I did not like, choosing a couple of songs was particularly difficult. I am going back to the beginning with "Fingertips" performed by a very young Stevie. The second song is one of my all time favorites by Stevie from the Music Aquarium album entitled "That Girl". My third choice is from arguably one of the best albums ever recorded by anyone anywhere, "Songs In The Key Of Life". The song "Knocks Me Off My Feet" shows a vulnerability that you do not hear in music recorded today.

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Wal Mart Worker Trampled to Death on Black Friday

Anytime you establish a day that appeals to human greed and graft, you have a definite recipe for disaster. A Wal-Mart worker was killed Friday when "out-of-control" shoppers desperate for bargains broke down the doors at a 5 a.m. sale. Other workers were trampled as they tried to rescue the man, and customers shouted angrily and kept shopping when store officials said they were closing because of the death, police and witnesses said.

At least four other people, including a woman who was eight months pregnant, were taken to hospitals for observation or minor injuries, and the store in Valley Stream on Long Island closed for several hours before reopening. According to witnesses people had been lined up at 10:00 pm the night before to take advantage of cheap merchandise, including 400 dollar flat screen televisions.

I do not go out on "Black Friday" because I expect this type of ignorant behavior from people. I am not a pessimist, but a realist. It's not that I don't like sales, because I do. I am just not willing to be maimed, dismembered and/or murdered to purchased an IPOD that has been marked down 20%. But that's just me!

Quote: Smokey on Michael

Smokey Robinson provides some insight on Michael Jackson."He is the best who ever did it. The singing and the dancing and the records-the whole package. But somewhere ... he just got lost. It's easy to do."

-- Motown Records legend Smokey Robinson on Michael Jackson's legacy

Two Time Dancing With The Stars Winner Will Not Return

Two time "Dancing With The Stars" winner, Julieanne Hough will not be returning next season. In an interview on Ryan Seacrest radio show, Hough reported that she will be leaving the show to focus on her country singing career. Her brother Derek Hough is this season's winner.

In the four seasons Julianne Hough has been dancing the show she taken top honors twice. In her first season with the show she won with speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno. She repeated the next season with race car driver Helio Castroneves. The only other two time winner on the show is Cheryl Burke, who won seasons two and three respectively.

I was talking on the phone while watching the show one night this season and I commented that the singer looked a lot like Julieanne, to which my friend replied, that it was in fact her. She is actually a pretty good singer whose hope is to be taken seriously in the industry. I wish her luck, but if things don't go as planned she can always come back to "Dancing With The Stars" season nine.

Here is a clip of Julianne and Derek Hough dancing the Jive.

The First Black Inaugural

Someone on AOL Black Voices posted a fantasy about the First Black Inaugural, supposing what would transpire if those who have passed on were guests at this prestigious and historic event. Of course Reverend Doctor King and his wife Coretta, along with EL-Hajj Malik Shabazz (Malcolm X) and Betty Shabazz. What about Frederick Douglass and Rosa Parks? How proud would individuals who fought the good fight be to know that the impossible is now conceivable and we have our first African American President Elect? I know I never envisioned anyone looking like Barack Hussein Obama ever residing in the White House in my lifetime and I am so glad I lived to see it. How I wish my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who have gone before me could be at that inaugural. To read the article in its entirety Click Here.

When asked what I am thankful for this year at Thanksgiving, President Obama will be at the top of the list! One of my adolescent clients asked me if I had a crush on Obama because he appears on my blog so much and the answer is yes! I know he only has eyes for Michelle and that's cool ;-) Please join me in wishing him and his family love and peace in these changing times.

GM In Trouble?

I find it hard to believe the automaker is experiencing hard times yet again. It is so reminicent of the devastation that ravaged Flint, Michigan and surrounding areas, thousands of workers lost their jobs, myself included. For me it actually turned out to be a blessing that was very much disguised at the time. This was not so for most people living in the area. To get an idea of what happens when corporations like GM fail, one should check out the film Roger & Me which depicts how a community becomes ravaged when it depends on only one industry.

I saw many of my friends lose their homes, automobiles and all of their savings when several plants closed in Flint. This time the pain is being felt in Detroit, where they are still reeling from the mayoral scandal. Now the corporation is looking to the federal government for a bailout (for more on the story click here). Should our government assist the ailing automaker?

Superior Scribbler Award

I received the Superior Scribbler Award from my new blog pal Revvy Rev over at A Certain Sound. I am both humbled and honored to be the recipient, thanks Rev!

The rules are as follows:

1. Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.

2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.

3. Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.

4. Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit This Post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!

5. Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog. I am passing the Superior Scribbler Award to the following diverse five who have inspired me through their unique insights, providing me with a more diverse perspective. Y'all keep up the good work!

I am bestowing this award on to five much deserving bloggers:

Malcolm @ Pop Culture Dish for his unique spin on all things pop cultural.

Marvalus @ The Marvalus View for helping to make every Friday special.

X. Dell @ The X Spot for digging deep to help make sense of past conspiracies.

Lori @ Lori's Old School Mix who better to give the award to than a world class writer.

Thembi @ What Would Thembi Do? for being thought-provoking and just plain fun to read.

Old School Friday: Jazz Tribute

I decided to go with two of my favorite jazz selections of all time. I had a great deal of jazz music to choose from, but I chose Herbie Mann's "Waterbed" because it's a funky tuned that was actually a featured song for the "Soul Train" line during the seventies. The second selection is one from the late, great Miles Davis, quite simply titled "So What". Enjoy!

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Obama's Views On Sagging Pants.

Obama is not feeling the sagging pants look and reports that he does not want to see anyone's underwear. By the same token he also feels passing a law to ban the look would not be the appropriate thing to do. In a statement to Style Spotter Obama was quoted as saying:"Here is my attitude: I think people passing a law against people wearing sagging pants is a waste of time. We should be focused on creating jobs, improving our schools, health care, dealing with the war in Iraq , and anybody, any public official, that is worrying about sagging pants probably needs to spend some time focusing on real problems out there. Having said that, brothers should pull up their pants. You are walking by your mother, your grandmother, your underwear is showing. What's wrong with that? Come on. There are some issues that we face, that you don't have to pass a law, but that doesn't mean folks can't have some sense and some respect for other people and, you know, some people might not want to see your underwear -- I'm one of them."

Wanda Sykes Is Gay, You Got A Problem With That?

Wanda Sykes has just come out the closet so to speak. According to Ms. Sykes, she felt compelled to reveal her sexual preference after the passing of California's Proposition 8 which banned gay marriages. Sykes said that she was never hiding the fact that she was gay and that everyone who knows her personally knows her sexual orientation and that she in a committed relationship. Read the full story here.

Old School Fridays - Songs From The Year Of My Birth

First of all Happy Birthday to Ms. Marvalus from "Marvalus View", Regina from "Regina's Family Seasons" and of course Malcolm from "Pop Culture Dish". Hey people, it's your birthday. We gonna party like it's your birthday. We gon' drink Barcardi like it's your birthday...I digress! Picking songs from my birth year is giving it all away, but what the hell! 1956 was a very good year for music, in fact it is one of the most definitive years in Rock and Roll! I chose three songs that can be heard on the player below: Laverne Baker's "Jim Dandy", Little Willie John's Fever and Gene Vincent's "Be-Bop-A-Lula".

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Old School Fridays - Thank God It's Over!

The theme this week is "Thank God It's Over!" and we are all ecstatic about the outcome of the election on Tuesday. Before we move on we should do a bit of celebrating. While I am not a fan of this particular song I felt it is a very appropriate choice.

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre

2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999

3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version

4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane

5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out

6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Michael Tells Family To Beat It

Despite the recent announcement of a proposed Jackson 5 reunion in 2009, fans won't get a chance to see the group's biggest selling star. Unfortunately, Michael Jackson has issued a statement saying he will not be apart of the 2009 family outing. Michael has issued a statement saying that his brothers and sisters have my full love and support, and they certainly shared many great experiences, but at this time I have no plans to record or tour with them. "I am now in the studio developing new and exciting projects that I look forward to sharing with my fans in concert soon." Michael's brother Jermaine first announced reunion plans on October 29 while taping an Australian TV show.

Approximately a year ago the I blogged about first hint of a reunion was leaked to the public (story here). At that time it was assumed that Michael would be participating. I mean if Michael is not going to be there why bother? On his radio show Malcolm of Pop Culture Dish does a segment entitled "With Or Without You" and while many groups/bands can go on without the main attraction (the Commodores come to mind), the Jackson need Michael in order to attract any interest. I am certainly not spending any money to see Latoya and Rebbie!

Thursday Thirteen # 31 - Thirteen Things That Obama Supporters Should Not Do

I received this email from a good friend. It was perfect because it contained 13 statements.

They’ll be watching us on November 5th (the day after the election) for signs
of the end times. To keep the peace and keep a lot of folks from getting nervous, I think we should develop a list of acceptable celebrations and behaviors we should probably avoid – at least for the first few days:

1. No crying, hugging or shouting “Thank you Lord” – at least not in public

2. No high-fives – at least not unless the area is clear and there are no witnesses


3. No laughing at the McCain/Palin supporters

4. No calling in sick on November 5th. They’ll get nervous if too many of us don’t
show up

5. We’re allowed to give each other knowing winks or nods in passing. Just try to keep from grinning too hard

6. No singing loudly, We’ve come this Far By Faith (it will be acceptable to hum softly)

7. No bringing of barbeque ribs or fried chicken for lunch in the company lunchroom for at least a week (no chittlings at all) (this may make us seem too ethnic)

8. No leaving kool-aid packages at the water fountain (this might be a sign that poor folks might be getting a break through)

9. No Cupid Shuffle during breaks (this could indicate a little too much excitement)

10. Please no Moving on Up music (we are going to try to remain humble)

11. No doing the George Jefferson dance (unless you're in your office with the door closed)

12. Please try not to yell----BOOOO YAH!

13. Just in case you're wondering, Doing the Running Man, cabbage patch, or a backhand spring on the highway is 100% okay

If I’ve missed anything feel free to add to the list. I just want to make sure we’re all on the same page when Obama brings this thing home on November
5th.
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


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Obama Wins!

Barack Obama has accomplished what was thought to be the impossible and become the 44th and first African American President. This historic triumph transcended race. McCain called his former rival to concede defeat — and the end of his own 10-year quest for the White House. "The American people have spoken, and spoken clearly," McCain told disappointed supporters in Arizona. A friend of mine informed me that some people will be jumping off of buildings tomorrow.

As the 44th president, Obama will move into the Oval Office as leader of a country that is almost certainly in recession, and fighting two long wars, one in Iraq, the other in Afghanistan. The popular vote was close, but not the count in the Electoral College, where it mattered most.

Let's take this time to congratulate President elect Barack Obama and join me in wishing him a prosperous four years. Let the confetti fly!

Obama's Grandmother Passes Two Days Before Presidential Election

It is indeed a sad day. Barack Obama's grandmother, who raised the presidential candidate for much of the life has died, Obama announced Monday, one day before the election. Madelyn Payne Dunham was 86. Obama announced the news from the campaign trail in Charlotte, N.C. The joint statement with his sister Maya Soetoro-Ng said Dunham died late Sunday at her Honolulu apartment after a battle with cancer.

"She's gone home," Obama said as tens of thousands of rowdy supporters at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte grew silent in an evening drizzle. And she died peacefully in her sleep with my sister at her side. And so there is great joy as well as tears. I'm not going to talk about it too long because it is hard for me to talk about."