This blog is named after a book by Jacqueline Jones Royster. While my goals for this blog are not quite as lofty as Ms. Royster's (promoting literacy and social change) I do intend to address ideas, philosophies, and policies that need to change. Since I consider myself a sociologist I will focus on anything social, which basically covers everything under the sun and then some. Topics will include my take on politics, music, sports, family issues, literature, to name a few.
I am a middle-aged woman who recently relocated to the Dallas area after spending the last sixteen years in Long Beach California. I am originally from Flint, Michigan. Although I have lived in the West and I am currently in the south, my belief system is strongly rooted in my midwestern upbringing.
I enjoy bowling and rollerskating whenever I get the chance. I also spend much of my time reading and listening to music.
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!
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.
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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!
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."
I am a bundle of nerves with regard to this election. I am trying to share some fun stuff to get my mind off of the events going down on Tuesday. For some reason I have dancing on the brain today and I thought I would share an awesome You Tube video entitled "Debb, Charlie D, and Friends Boppin", which is owned and submitted by Debb from Detroit, Michigan.
You got smile, especially at Debb and Charlie D's bopping expertise. Check out their routine using the First Choice song "Arm and Extremely Dangerous". It is the second routine on the video and while the quality of the video is not the best, you will not be able to deny the quality of the dancers. Dancing with the Stars look out!
Next week we will find out if the sun is going to shine on November 05th. In the meantime the students at Ron Clark came up with this little ditty "You Can Vote However You Like", which uses the melody of T I's number one song "You Can Have Whatever You Like". I thought this was too cute and proves that everyone is thinking about this election, even those who will not be voting for many years to come.
The students who perform the song are on the school's debate team and the song is a a debate of sort, illuminating the pros and cons of each candidate. I am providing the lyrics of the song, along with a video of the children performing the song. Feel free to join in and sing along!
Obama on the left McCain on the right We can talk politics all night And you can vote however you like You can vote however you like, yeah
Democratic left Republican right November 4th we decide And you can vote however you like You can vote however you like, yeah
(McCain supporters) McCain's the best candidate With Palin as his running mate They'll fight for gun rights, pro life, The conservative right Our future is bright Better economy in site And all the world will feel our military might
(Obama supporters) But McCain and Bush are real close right They vote alike and keep it tight Obama's new, he's younger too The Middle Class he will help you He'll bring a change, he's got the brains McCain and Bush are just the same You are to blame, Iraq's a shame Four more years would be insane
Lower your Taxes - you know Obama Won't PROTECT THE LOWER CLASS - You know McCain won't! Have enough experience - you know that they don't STOP GLOBAL WARMING - you know that you won't
I want Obama FORGET OBAMA Stick with McCain and you're going to have some drama We need it HE'LL BRING IT He'll be it YOU'LL SEE IT We'll do it GET TO IT Let's move it DO IT!
Obama on the left McCain on the right We can talk politics all night And you can vote however you like You can vote however you like, yeah
Democratic left Republican right November 4th we decide And you can vote however you like, I said You can vote however you like, yeah
I'm talking big pipe lines, and low gas prices Below $2.00 that would be nice
But to do it right we gotta start today Finding renewable ways that are here to stay
I want Obama FORGET OBAMA, Stick wit McCain you gone have some drama MORE WAR IN IRAQ Iran he will attack CAN'T BRING OUR TROOPS BACK We gotta vote Barack!
Obama on the left McCain on the right We can talk politics all night And you can vote however you like, I said You can vote however you like, yeah
Democratic left Republican right November 4th we decide And you can vote however you like, I said You can vote however you like, yeah
The body of a boy was found in an SUV on Chicago's west side. There has been no confirmation at this time that it is Jennifer Hudson's nephew, but it is highly likely that it is Julian King. How does someone take the life of a child, any child, and be able to live with themselves afterward? Whoever this child is, he had nothing to do with what was happening in the lives of the adults around him, however he has paid the ultimate price. I am not a death penalty proponent, but sometimes I think I might have it all wrong, especially when it comes to the death of children at the hands of adults.
A co-worker and I were discussing the missing boy at work over the weekend. He stated that the FBI was called in because of Jennifer Hudson's celebrity status. I am under the assumption that anytime their is a missing child the FBI are obligated to join the search. Whose right me or my co-worker? To read more details click here
Academy Award winning actress Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls and The Secret Lives of Bees) mother and brother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and Jason Hudson, 29, whose bodies were found Friday afternoon in their home on the south side of Chicago. The actress's 7 year old nephew, Julian King is missing. According to news reports the incident is a result of domestic abuse and the police are questioning several people in connection with crime. I feel badly for Jennifer and the rest of her family in this difficult time. Let's keep her in our thoughts and pray for the safe return of her nephew. For more on the story click here.
I decided to have some fun this week and showcase the unexpected.I am going with Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" and Everything But The Girl's "I Miss You".
With all the chaos and confusion going on in the world with the economy, gas prices, the upcoming election, etc. , we tend to lose sight of the important things in life. I received this message written by the late George Carlin several years ago and I feel it is time to revisit these sentiments.
A Message from George Carlin: The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shortertempers, wider freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, buthave less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smallerfamilies, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but lesssense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, moremedicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read toolittle, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much,love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to lifenot life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplishless. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to holdmore information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and smallcharacter, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of twoincomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days ofquick trips, disposable diapers, throw away morality, one night stands,overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in thestockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time whenyou can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going tobe around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because thatlittle person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the onlytreasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most ofall mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep insideof you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will notbe there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the preciousthoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments thattake our breath away.
If you don't send this to at least 8 people....Who cares?
George Carlin
Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian, couldwrite something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.
I just received this award from my uncle and buddy Malcolm of Pop Culture Dish. Everyone knows how much I love his blog (I am always over there throwing in my 2 cents). Sometimes serious, other times informative, but most of the time just plain fun. His skill at dishing about celebrities and disseminating news about movies and music is unparalleled. Of course I really enjoy Tuesday Trivia.
You like me! You really like me! :-) Thanks Malcolm!
1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.
2. The winner must link to the person from whom they received their award.
3. The winner must nominate at least 7 other blogs for the award.
4. The winner must place links to those blogs on their own blog.
5. The winner must leave a message on the blogs of the people they’ve nominated.
Arguably the most powerful voice in Motown's history has been silenced. Four Tops lead singer Levi Stubbs Jr. died Friday at his home in Detroit after a long series of health problems, including cancer and a stroke, that forced him to stop performing in 2000. He was 72. Funeral arrangements were pending for Stubbs, who is survived by Clineice, his wife of 48 years, and five children.
He had one of the most prolific and identifiably voices in American history. Often playing second fiddle to the Temptations, The Four Tops showed they had staying power. An amazing footnoot is that they were able to maintain their original lineup until death and illness struck. Stubbs' death leaves Abdul "Duke" Fakir as the Tops' only living member from the original quartet, which formed in 1954 as the Four Aims and signed with Motown nine years later. Laurence Payton passed away in 1997, and Renaldo "Obie" Benson died in 2005.
Fakir continues to lead a version of the Tops that includes Payton's son Roquel, former Temptations member Theo Peoples and Motown veteran Ronnie McNeir. Stubbs, born Levi Stubbles in Detroit gave voice to such enduring hits such as "Baby I Need Your Loving," "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)," "Reach Out I'll Be There", "Ain't No Woman Like the One I Got" and my all time favorite "It's The Way Nature Planned It". The Tops have sold more than 50 million records and racked up 45 chart hits for the Motown, ABC Dunhill, Arista and Casablanca labels, and the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
Stubbs also provided the voice of Audrey II, the man-eating plant in the film version of the musical "Little Shop of Horrors" in 1986, and of Mother Brain in the 1989 animated TV series "Captain N: The Game Master." The group was also responsible for the theme song for the second Shaft movie, "Shaft In Africa", "Are You Man Enough".
Stubbs' last public appearance with the group was at the group's 50th anniversary concert July 28, 2004, at Detroit's Music Hall Center. Information about the funeral services are pending.
Here is a classic by the group that you don't often hear, enjoy.
I received this letter from James Rucker at Colorofchange.org
Dear Pamella,
Over the last week and a half, supporters at McCain/Palin rallies have yelled "kill him," "terrorist," "traitor!" and "off with his head!" about Obama. At Wednesday night's presidential debate, John McCain refused to denounce those outbursts or take any responsibility for the violent, hateful atmosphere he's helped create. Instead, he attacked civil rights hero John Lewis for calling him out on it, and tried to cast McCain/Palin supporters as victims of a smear. Either John McCain doesn't understand the dangerous words coming out of some of his loudest supporters' mouths, or he doesn't care.
As the leader of his campaign, he has a responsibility to condemn and control hateful speech, especially direct threats on a presidential candidate. We need to show that Americans of all races won't stand for this. When enough of us stand together, we can force the mainstream media to amplify our message. Please join us: you can watch a video from Brave New Films about the atmosphere at McCain rallies, sign our open letter calling out McCain and Palin, and ask your friends and family to do the same, here:
McCain-Palin rallies have started to look more like mob scenes than political events. The candidates keep asking "who is the real Barack Obama?" (a question that also kicks off almost every McCain television ad). In response, supporters have yelled "terrorist!" and "traitor!" And the venom goes beyond Obama--one McCain/Palin supporter shouted a racial epithet at a Black member of a news crew, saying "sit down, boy." The outbursts at McCain/Palin events have crossed the line into direct threats and suggestions of violence. Last week, at the mention of Obama's name, a McCain supporter yelled "kill him!"prompting a secret service investigation. A few days later, someone shouted "off with his head!"
In the face of all of this, McCain and Palin haven't stopped for five seconds to denounce these violent outbursts. In fact they've tried to defend them and their fear-mongering smear tactics continue. McCain and Palin are going down a dangerous path. Watching some of their supporters being interviewed shows the kind of fear their campaign is stoking and exploiting. McCain and Palin are clearly in the driver's seat. They've personally made it a point to use "terrorist" and "Obama" in the same sentence; their surrogates have repeatedly referred to Obama by his middle-name; and they keep pushing the discredited guilt-by-association smears that have long been debunked.
All of it plays on false rumors spread by email: that Obama is Muslim (a myth designed to tap into anti-Muslim bigotry); that he is anti-American; and that he's somehow connected with terrorists. The strategy works and is powerful because it plays into the suspicions some White Americans have about Blacks: about our true allegiances and our trustworthiness. In the end, it makes Obama's race a disadvantage without appearing overtly racist.
A unified response
As Americans of all stripes, we've seen how Barack Obama's historic candidacy has moved our friends and family to have a more honest conversation about race in this country. It's inspired a lot of people to step out of their comfort zone and confront racism in their own communities, with their friends, neighbors, and families. Now we have McCain, at a time of crisis in this country, pandering to one of the worst instincts in America. His campaign is playing to the kind of suspicion, hatred and fear that brings out the worst in us all, which history shows can lead to horrible consequences.
We can fight back
In the final days of this campaign, we can't let a desperate John McCain and Sarah Palin drag us down. If enough of us act, we can create a powerful story in the media about Black people and our allies of all races standing together against race-baiting and fear-mongering coming from theMcCain/Palin campaign. But it will take a lot of us speaking in unison. Will you sign an open letter to McCain and Palin, telling them who you are and why you won't let them move our country backward? We'll publish the letter and make sure John McCain is forced to respond.
Thanks and Peace,
James, Gabriel, Clarissa, Andre, Kai, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org PAC team October 17th, 2008
I watched some of the footage from one of these rallies and I became mad enough to chew bricks. McCain and Palin, as well as their supporters are running scared. Now they think they can bully Obama supporters into submission. I am so damn tired of hearing that Obama is a Muslim. If he is, so what! I could give less than a damn about his religious affiliations. I want to know what he is going to do about the economy, health care, and ending this atrocious war. I am signing this damn letter!
I love duets and I am going with one of my favorite couples of all times, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (well sort of). My favorite song by this duet is "California Soul". According to Marvin Gaye (in the biography "Divided Soul") by the time this song was recorded Tammi was too ill to sing, so Valerie Simpson performed the song. I actually hear Valerie, see if you can too.
I also decided to go with Rick James and Teena Marie and the lesser known "Once and Future Dream".
I knew I would never find my favorite Prince song, which happens to be "Let's Work" from the "Controversy" album. I chose two song that I like a lot, "anotherloverlikeyouneedaholeinyourhead" and "Party Man" from the first Batman movie.
The jury reached a decision after deliberating for more than 13 hours. O. J. Simpson has been found guilty on all charges in the gunpoint robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas casino hotel room more than a year ago. Simpson faces up to life in prison. Simpson, 61, and a golfing buddy, Clarence "C.J." Stewart, 54, each face five years to life in prison if convicted of kidnapping, or mandatory prison time if convicted of armed robbery. They pleaded not guilty to 12 charges, including conspiracy, coercion and assault with a deadly weapon. Deliberations began 13 years to the day after Simpson was acquitted of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in Los Angeles.
Prosecutors alleged Simpson planned — and Stewart helped carry out — a plot to retrieve personal items that Simpson lost after squirreling them away to avoid turning them over to Goldman's family to satisfy part of a $33.5 million civil wrongful death judgment levied in 1997 by a California court. Four men who accompanied Simpson, Stewart and a middle man to the Palace Station casino hotel for the Sept. 13, 2007, confrontation later pleaded guilty and testified for the prosecution. Thomas Riccio, the man who arranged and secretly recorded the meeting, testified under immunity from prosecution.
I had no doubt that O. J. would be convicted. I feel he was tried for the 1994 murders of his Brown and Goldman. I’ll bet you that plenty of people are feeling vindicated tonight. It took 13 years to the day to finally convict him of the murders. Your thoughts people.
This week the theme is "Baby Making Music". I usually try to choose a song no one else is choosing, so this week I went with Sade's "No Ordinary Love" from the film "Indecent Proposal".
The new television is here and I always ring in the fall season by watching all of the new shows of interest to me at least once. Because of the television strike last year, the season was pretty much ruined for me. New shows did not stand a chance, luckily the networks are bring shows like "Pushing Daisies" and "Dirty, Sexy, Money" back. Here are 13 shows that I intend to give a try.
1. The Mentalist (CBS) California detective Patrick Jane is notorious for his flamboyant personal style, not to mention his former career as a phony psychic, but what can you say? The guy has a remarkable track record for solving major crimes through uncanny powers of observation. That doesn't mean California Bureau of Investigation Senior Agent Teresa Lisbon, along with her staff, has to be thrilled to have such a loose cannon as a key member of her team
2. Privileged (CBS) Megan Smith, a 23-year-old Yale graduate and aspiring journalist, finds herself thrust into what seems like an alternate reality when she is fired from her tabloid job and lands a gig as live-in tutor to Rose and Sage, the high-maintenance twin teenage granddaughters of cosmetics mogul Laurel Limoges. Megan is so dazzled by the posh trappings of her new Palm Beach job, which includes live-in chef Marco, that she doesn't even notice her best friend, Charlie, is secretly in love with her.
3. The Fringe (CBS) FBI Special Agent Olivia Dunham is assigned to investigate the bizarre case of an international flight that landed at Boston's Logan Airport with a load of passengers and crew members who all have died grisly deaths. After another agent, John Scott, is nearly killed during the investigation, Olivia's search for clues takes her to institutionalized genius Dr. Walter Bishop, whose estranged son, Peter, may prove helpful in solving this mystery. After meeting manipulative corporate executive Nina Sharp, however, Olivia and her colleagues begin to realize the riddle of that ghastly flight is only a fragment of an even more shocking truth.
4. Do Not Disturb (FOX) Demanding celebrities flock to The Inn, a chic and very hip Manhattan hotel recently named one of the Big Apple's 10 Best Places to Stay, where they know the stylish staff will bend over backwards to please them. It's a different matter, however, behind the scenes, where arrogant, detail-obsessed general manager Neal often clashes with Rhonda, the brash and outspoken head of the human resources department.
5. Knight Rider (NBC) In this reinvention of the 1980s cult hit, former Army Ranger Mike Tracer is recruited to protect the Knight Industries Three Thousand, or KITT -- a superintelligent computer disguised as a sleek Ford Mustang -- from the ruthless bad guys who killed its inventor.
6. The Ex List (CBS) Hey, you think your love life is complicated? Businesswoman Bella Bloom just found out from a psychic that she already has dated the man she is destined to marry -- and if she doesn't reconnect with him in the coming year, she'll remain alone. Forever. At first, Bella discounts the prophecy as a party trick, but when the psychic's other predictions start coming true, Bella makes a frantic U-turn down Heartbreak Highway to find the ex who is meant to be Mister Right.
7. My Own Worst Enemy (NBC) This surreal drama follows a man with two identities: Henry Spivey, a mild-mannered family man who works as an efficiency expert, and Edward Albright, a covert operative who speaks 13 languages and is trained to kill with his teeth. Each identity is unaware of the other, until the carefully constructed psychological wall between the two is breeched, thrusting both Henry and Edward into situations with which they are ill-equipped to cope.
8. Opportunity Knocks (ABC) You say you've always wanted to be on a game show but somehow just couldn't make the effort? Well, ABC has the show for you, as host J.D. Roth and his mobile team pull up each week in front of a suburban contestant's home with a semi loaded with furniture, electronics and big cash prizes the family can win on the spot if they can answer questions about one another correctly, playing the game right there on their front lawn, in front of their friends and neighbors.
9. Gary Unmarried (CBS) Painting contractor Gary Brooks tries to juggle his fragile new romance with Vanessa, a single mom, with the demands of his first marriage, which include ex-wife Allison -- who had to be the Enforcer to Gary's Fun Dad -- and their two kids, socially inept 14-year-old Tom and politically correct daughter Louise, 11.
10. Stylista (CW) Eleven aspiring fashionistas compete for an editorial job at Elle magazine by performing assistant tasks and editorial assignments for the magazine's fashion news director, Anne Slowey.
11. Valentine (CW) A group of Greek gods live together and help mortals find their soul mates
12. In Harms Way (CW) An hour-long reality show that follows folks with dangerous occupations, like storm chasers or firefighters.
13. Raising The Bar (TNT) Steven Bochco does it again! I already started watching this one. It is a great show about the inner workings of the public defenders and prosecutors offices in NYC. It's great to see Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Gloria Reuben and Currie Graham.
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
I thought I would mark my return to the blogging scene with something kind of light. A friend sent me this email featuring Obama supporters doing a hustle (line dance) named after the man himself. Let me explain something about the people in the southern region of Michigan, which includes Flint, Lansing, Saginaw, etc. They never met a hustle they didn't like. I visited one summer and went out to a club and counted 16 different hustles in one night!
I found this video humorous and thought my best friend would also. He had the nerve to act like he was offended, stating, "the last thing Obama needs is a bunch black folks naming a dance after him". He goes on to say how these people need to get lives and jobs (now I am offended). I saw Obama and Michelle dancing on "Ellen", I wonder if he would be offended to have his name associated with this dance.
Darlene Stewart of Detroit brings you the Obama Hustle, created by Crystal Smith and performed by Seniors United of the Grenadier Lounge. This hustle was created by and for seniors, but it's definitely hot and a great dance for people of all ages. When Obama wins, will you be doing this hustle? Anyhow I will let you be the judge. Is this offensive to you or just fun?
I had to go with one of my all time favorite girl groups, Martha Reeves and the Vandallas. They were considered stepchildren at Motown in comparison to the Supremes, but there is nothing like the groups distinct sound.
What is Disco? K. C. of the Sunshine era stated that "Disco is just R&B". I agree with that sentiment. Barry White said that "Disco music makes everybody beautiful" and Isaac Hayes commented (and I quote) "Black people dance on the 2 and the 4 (beat) and White people dance on the 1 and the 3, Disco music has all four beat, so everybody can dance together". Sometimes I don't go with the obvious choice but this week I must. Donna Summer is the undeniable queen of the genre and the most successful star of the Disco era.
I haven’t been around for Thursday Thirteen in a month of Sundays (literally). Notice that the title of this TT is "Thirteen Movie Disasters" and not "Thirteen Disaster Movies", big difference! This week I shed light on thirteen of Hollywood’s potboiler (disastrous) films. Certainly there are more than thirteen, but alas I can only list the magic number (13). I will save you the agony of sitting through a clip of any of these films. You might rather sit around and watch paint dry :-P
13.Battlefield Earth (2000) – John Travolta’s two decade long quest to put L. Ron Hubbard’s work on film bombed in a big way.It won seven Razzies, a feat only accomplished by another famous box office bomb “Showgirls” (I am not even going to pick on Showgirls). Budget 73 Million, U.S. Box Office 21 Million.
12.The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002) – Eddie Murphy really needs to quit! Sometimes he is pure genius, while other times he really needs to chill, have a seat and think about what he is doing. This was one of those times. Budget 100 Million, U.S. Box Office 4.4 Million.
11. Heaven’s Gate (1980) – Mix cattle rustlers, rich WASP ranch owners and roller skating and you have a recipe for disaster. This film destroyed the career of director Mike Cimino and shut down the United Artist Studio. Budget 40 Million, Box Office 3.5 Million.
10. Town & Country (2001) – Not even Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, and Goldie Hawn could save this fiasco. Budget 90 Million, U.S. Box Office 6.7 Million.
9.Cleopatra (1963) – While not quite as bad as others film on this list as far as budget goes, it none-the-less lost plenty of moolah. Budget 44 Million, Box Office 26 Million.
8. Hudson Hawk (1991) – Oh Bruce, this surely is no “Die Hard”. Rumor has it that a special effects firm had to go through the film and airbrush his bald spot. Talk about sensitive! A hat would have been a hell of a lot cheaper. Budget 65 Million, U.S. Box Office 17 Million.
7. Cutthroat Island (1995) – Director Renny Harlin convinced Carolco Pictures that his then wife Geena Davis could carry this action film. She couldn’t. The film shut down Carolco Studio and derariled Ms. Davis’s career. Budget 98 Million, U.S. Box Office 19 Million.
6.Ishtar (1987) – In spite of good reviews by the New York Times, this film about two lounge singers caught up in the cold war flopped. Budget 55 Million, U.S. Box Office 14 Million.
5. The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) – This film flopped at the box office, but picked up steam on video and DVD. Budget 47 Million, Box Office 8 Million.
4. Howard the Duck (1986) – It is hard to believe that George Lucas was affiliated with this foolishness. A cigar smoking duck from Cleveland…As my uncle would say “Like Wow!”Budget 38 Million, U.S. Box Office 16 Million.
3. The Postman (1997) – Believe it or not Kevin Costner’s Waterworld actually made money, but Dirt World (as the crew so lovingly called this one, did not. Budget 80 Million, U.S. Box Office 17.6 Million.
2. ZYZZYZX Road (2005) – This road really exists. It is an exit in California close to the Nevada border. I have passed it numerous times on my way to Lost Wages, Nevada. A lot of indie films don’t make money, but this box office payoff was less than the price of filling up my Toyota Matrix! Budget 2 Million, Box Office 30.00 (Yep! That’s Right! 30 freakin dollars).
1. Dave (2008) – Eddie Murphy strikes again. This is the #1 potboiler of the summer with a Budget 60 Million and a U.S. Box Office of 11.6 Million.
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
Dictatorship Versus Democracy.
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I'm baaack.
It's been a minute field hands, but I have been so overwhelmed with the
fall of our democracy that I honestly didn't know where to start wr...
PUNCHINELLO Clown Buffoon Colored Pencil Art Print
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This image contains an embedded watermark to protect against digital theft.
This watermark will not be present in your print.
*PUNCHINELLOAn art print o...
A RAP SO DEEP IN BLUE
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This is a slightly revised post that I shared on *Facebook *last week. It
is an update of sorts on an essay of mine that was published not long ago.
**...
Hello world!
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Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then
start writing!
The post Hello world! appeared first on What Would Thembi Do?.
Expert v. Expert
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Forensic pathologist Dr. Peter Cummings works for the Massachusetts Office
of the Medical Examiner. He’s a bonafide expert.
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12 Savage Arrested by Ice for Being British
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Rapper 21 Savage has been arrested by ICE for over extending his stay on an
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Abraham-Josep...
Ma Rainey: Mother of the Blues
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“You like blues? I’ll give you the blues. Don’t call your mother for
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After all these years...
Guest Post: Girl Meets World
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Spencer Blohm, a freelance entertainment blogger, wrote a guest post last
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contacte...
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If you live in Georgia than your familiar with one of the favorite radio
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net y...
A Marvelous Life and Ministry
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Fueled by the tremendous crossover success of the 1968 recording "Oh Happy
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Original Recipes
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SjP often “cooks up” some dishes original only to Sojourner’s Place. Feel
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Movin' On Up!
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To a *deeee*-luxe apartment in the sky!!
Life is *RANT*astic! has relocated to *http://jessicasieghart.com*
Please update your bookmarks and follow me ove...
You've Got to Hear This!
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Not much gets me from idea to blog these days—but Splotchy and his Green
Monkey Music Project always rouse the challenge in me. Volume 18 boasts a
cool the...
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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. 
