Copasetic Concoction

Bitches will be Bitches....

2008-01-16T09:56:00.000-06:00

New year, new font. I hope that it doesn't strain the eyes too much.

I've been chugging along. My bronchitis has FINALLY left me (after almost six weeks). I've started taking a multi-vitamin and drinking immunity shakes in the morning before I get ready for work. I need to be more proactive and try to remain as healthy as I can.

Apparently, there are people here (here being work) that have come to the conclusion that I am "faking" being sick for attention. Yes, because that is SO me! I don't understand how people can be so malicious behind your back and then be so sweet to your face. It makes me sick. I wish one of the kids would just throw up or have an "accident" all over these people. There are only really three in total that have been running their mouths. Funny how they thought that it wouldn't come back to me. I've got to be really careful though because these people make up complete nonsense and then run up to administration and complain about people.

I feel like we never really escape middle/high school. There is always going to be a small group of people who have nothing going for them in their lives and find satisfaction in speaking about others. I'm so thankful that my mama raised me better than that. I couldn't even think of half of the things these people concoct.

Aside from shit disturbers, all other departments in my life are in check. Nothing to complain about at all.

Here's to hoping that the rest of the school year remains a little less drama free...

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T18:34:00.000-06:00

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
Be safe, be happy and spread cheer today and
always...

Peace...

Ikea's "Stupid" Sale...

2007-12-24T21:02:00.001-06:00

There is this Ikea commercial that comes on almost every time I sit down to watch tv, that annoys the hell out of me.

It advertises the "Ikea Winter Sale". There is a woman who receives her receipt, looks at the total and then runs to the car, demanding her husband to drive off as fast as he can (as if they are in some kind of get away vehicle or something).

Now what bothers me is that this woman probably already knew her total because.. well.. she paid for her shit didn't she? I mean doesn't the cashier ring in all of your items and then tell you what your total is?... Isn't that followed by a payment of some sort? I'm assuming that is what took place because she did have a receipt in her hand.

To me the commercial makes no sense. It would be one thing if they showed her at the register reacting surprised (to say the least), but to walk outside of the store and THEN realize what you paid is sheer idiocy..That's my two cents any way.. What do I know though...?.. I only studied marketing for four long years and then had the pleasure of working in the field for a few years afterwards.. Thank goodness that phase of my life is behind me! Working with children is so much more rewarding than being pressured to come up with the perfect ad campaign!

I must say however, that I do like Ikea (not the furniture though because it's not real wood-- it's all fake.. trust me.. My dad been in furniture manufacturing since I was a fetus.. so if there is one thing that has been drilled into my head since I was young, it's "THIS is how real wood should feel. It should not sound hollow").. Aside from the furniture comprised of "wood", I do love all of the home decor, rugs and shelving units Ikea offers. I also look forward to the arrival of the seasonal catalog. It provides great room designs and I cannot lie.. the smell of the catalog itself makes me high. Yes, I'm strange. But many people know this already.

Family Affair... scratch that.. make that "Family Unfair"

2007-12-23T21:26:00.000-06:00

I'm off from work and home in Toronto for the holidays. I'd be enjoying myself a lot more if I didn't still have a bad case of bronchitis, which I'm sure I contracted from one of my students. I'm just hoping that I start to feel a bit better, because I have things to do and people to see.

My favourite Aunty and Uncle forced me to come over for dinner at their place last night. They wouldn't take no for an answer when I told them that my cough sounds like death and that I felt like shit. They WANTED me there. Aside from my immediate family, my other family members were there. It was nice to see a slew of young cousins that have grown immensely since I last saw them.

What irked me beyond words was the fact that my fifteen year old cousin, who once thought the world of me and who I treated like a younger sister has totally changed. Everything about her is different. Her look, her attitude, EVERYTHING. She's turned into the type of person I loathed in high school and I don't know what caused this change. She used to tell me everything and come to me with all of her problems, but it seems like she thinks that she's more evolved than I am now.

Most of the time when I'd look in her direction, she'd look away with her nose up in the air. I felt like hitting her over the head with a pillow and asking her "What the hell is wrong with you?" but clearly, it wasn't the place or the time.

I went through phases when I younger where I just wanted to be alone when I was trying to "find" myself. But I was never, ever rude to anyone- especially those that were always nice to me. I have a feeling that her mother (my uncle's crazy wife) has been brain washing her with false ideas regarding moi.. My aunt hasn't been too fond of me since I told her off during my last visit. She was being her usual annoying, miserable self and was attempting to yell at my mom for no apparent reason. Obviously, being my mother's keeper, I verbally fought back and my Aunt has been "against" me ever since.

Seriously, it's all such middle school drama. My aunt is a shit disturber who really can't stand anyone around her to be happy. She always has something negative to say and is continuously gossiping and attempting to bring people down. I'm not even going to get into all the things that she has done to my poor uncle (her husband, my mom's brother).

It's just unfortunate that my cousin is allowing her crazy mother to impede her thought process. This is not the girl I knew a year ago. She has changed immensely. So much so, that I don't think that I have ever known anyone to make such a drastic change in behaviour in such a short period of time.

I'm so over the both of them. All I can do is *hope that my cousin has some kind of epiphany and realizes that she's being a brat. Until then, I'm keeping my distance.

5 fun facts about Alicia Keys

2007-11-23T20:27:00.001-06:00

5 fun facts about Alicia Keys
12:00 AM CST on Friday, November 23, 2007
People.com

Alicia Keys has parlayed her fame – selling 20 million albums worldwide since 2001's Songs in A Minor, a perennial on the People most beautiful list – into philanthropic work in Africa. Here's some more about her.

EVAN AGOSTINI/The Associated Press

1 She adopted her signature braids at 13, when she discovered that it got her through humid New York City summers.

2 She features rappers as her love interests in her music videos: Common ("Like You'll Never See Me Again"), Method Man ("If I Ain't Got You") and Mos Def ("You Don't Know My Name").

3 "I'm happy that I'm not super skinny," Ms. Keys told Ebony in 2004. "Sometimes I've gotten photographs back, and people have literally shaven off pieces of me, and I tell them to put it back."

4 While on the road, she carries "a cute pink bunny. It reminds me that not everything is so serious," she told InStyle.

5 Bob Dylan mentions Ms. Keys in his song "Thunder on the Mountain": "I was thinking about Alicia Keys/Couldn't keep from crying/When she was born in Hell's Kitchen, I was living down the line/I'm wondering where in the world Alicia Keys could be?"

People.com

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Dreaming in threes.....

2007-11-23T18:26:00.001-06:00

About two months ago, I had a dream that I had triplets (all girls) and did not know what to name them. In my dream, I was sitting in my parents living room holding one of the girls in my arms. Z and my mother held the other two. I found it funny that I didn't have names for them, as I have had baby names in my head since I was in high school.

Last night I dreamed about having three baby boys! And once again, I didn't have names for any of them. They looked up at me with their big eyes, laced with dark, luscious lashes and I felt my heart melt.

Why am I having these dreams? Z and I don't plan on having kids any time soon (much to the despair of many acquaintances, relatives and co-workers world wide!). We aren't ready yet. Is my subconscious trying to tell me something? Should we be saving X amounts of money because we're going to have three kids in one shot?.....

I work with children and adore them. Could this be the reason why I'm dreaming about them? Then again, I don't work with babies..... could it be because there are many people around me that are pregnant?... Is that why I'm having dreams about having triplets?....

I told Z about my dreams and he laughed it off and said I was funny. He's just lucky that I'm not like my mother when it comes to my dreams. You see, my mother ALWAYS dreams about specific events occurring prior to them actually taking place. Her most accurate dreams are about people dying (her dreams are always EXACTLY right.. to the tiniest detail.. it scares the shit out of me)..

I guess dreaming about triplets is easier to handle than actually HAVING them.

The Keys to Success

2007-11-17T19:46:00.000-06:00

5:00AM Sunday November 18, 2007
By Rebecca Barry

Alicia Keys has a new song called Superwoman: "Even when I'm a mess, I still put on a vest with an 'S' on my chest. Oh yes, I'm a superwoman."

"I'm talking about every woman who has felt weak before and is still so strong even in her weakness," she says on the line from New York. "But that's me. I'm talking about me."

Ask Keys what her weaknesses are, and she says "ex-weaknesses. Because I'm new and improved".

"I was a very chronic people-pleaser. Like, chronic. To the point where everyone else came first, even people I didn't know."

This might come as a surprise to her fans. Ever since she hollered the empowering A Woman's Worth, Keys has represented female strength and dignity, an anomaly in a music scene dominated by sexualised, well, people-pleasers.

She has nine Grammys. Her first album, Songs in A Minor, sold 50,000 copies in its first day. Her second, The Diary of Alicia Keys, released in 2003, has sold eight million. She has banked on her biggest hits - among them, Fallin', You Don't Know My Name and Unbreakable - with a popular live album, MTV Unplugged in New York, becoming the first female R&B artist to have three consecutive number one debuts on the United States album chart.

Then there are her critically acclaimed film roles, playing a kick-ass assassin in Smokin' Aces and Scarlett Johansson's best friend in The Nanny Diaries, her philanthropic work including a charity for poor kids in Africa, and her live shows where she plays the piano with her hands literally behind her back.

Now she has her new third album, As I Am, which has already spawned a No. 1 single, No One, on the US R&B charts. It could be prescribed as an alternative to Prozac, such is its uplifting powers.

"I think I'm a person who looks for strength. That's cool. As women we definitely have to feel strong about ourselves."

Yet when Keys came off a 2 1/2-year tour for Diary, she felt anything but strong. "I just remember getting home and being totally knocked off my feet."

Still, she launched into the film work, and couldn't say no to the "incredible" opportunity to visit Africa for her Keep a Child Alive charity. She was so busy, so exhausted, she didn't notice the black clouds gathering.

"It was pretty much a full-out crash, burn-down. I became a person I didn't even know. I didn't recognise myself. I didn't like myself. I didn't like how I felt. I didn't want to go to sleep because I couldn't sleep. I was just totally reaching a point that I never thought that I would reach.

"It made me so mad and I got mad enough to realise that I never wanted to feel that way ever again."

It was during the songwriting process for As I Am that Keys says she worked out what the problem was. She wasn't just a people-pleaser and a yes-girl, she was a control freak.

"When it comes to my music I always guess I've been a little bit controlling because I'm a young woman and people often take advantage of that.

"So I always felt like I had to have everything prepared so no one could pull anything over on me.

"Even in my personal life with friends and family I'd get to this place like, 'If you're not doing it it's not going to happen'. That's ridiculous. You can't expect to be the saviour and the reason for everything."

Although the album title suggests complete autonomy, she kept her promise not to over-commit and employed help from songwriters Linda Perry, John Mayer, Harold Lilly, Sean Garrett and producers Mark Batson, Dirty Harry, Swizz Beatz and Jack Splash.

She also worked with her long-term songwriting partner, and real-life love, Kerry "Krucial" Brothers.

And if it sounds as though she's speaking to someone, that's because she is. She wrote many of the songs as reminders to herself about what she'd learned.

On Sure Looks Good to Me, she sings, "Don't rain on my parade, life's too short to waste one day, I'm gonna risk it all, the freedom to fall."

"I was definitely in searching mode and I really found out a lot about myself," she says. "I was just determined, and I still feel very determined, to create the music in my spirit and heart and not dilute it or put expectations on it. I realised I wanted to be a person who was brutally honest to myself.

"To create what you hear in your head is not always easy. In this case I felt a lot more confident in my arrangements, my skills, my production skills, writing skills, just being an artist and I've become more strong and more confident. Overall that confidence made it sound grander and helped me achieve the things I heard."

As I Am has all the hallmarks that made Keys famous. There's that huge, Aretha-meets-Janis Joplin voice, with just the right levels of sexy huskiness and vulnerability. There are her classically trained piano hands working in the background - although this album puts more of the focus on her voice and less on the keys. And there are her big, 70s-inspired soul tunes that elicit a strong sense of empowerment, the diva who always comes across as such on the red carpet.

Ironically for all the tumult behind it, the result suggests Keys is happier than ever.

"I've learned that, sometimes to be the best, you don't have to try that hard. You just have to let it be what it's meant to be, that freedom and relaxing into the moment and just allowing the moment to be as opposed to controlling the moment. I had a lot of fun. I would leave the studio at like, 4 in the morning and look around, just wow, what a day. That's a great feeling."

LOWDOWN

Who: Alicia Keys

Born: Alicia Augello-Cook, January 25, 1981 Albums: Songs in A Minor (2001), The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003), As I Am (2007), out this week

Keys Well Ahead Of Dion In Race For No. 1

2007-11-16T11:51:00.000-06:00

Alicia Keys is poised to earn her fourth consecutive No. 1 on The Billboard 200 as her new J album, "As I Am," is tops on Nielsen SoundScan's Building Chart, released today (Nov. 14). If "As I Am" does bow at No. 1, Keys will become only the third act to see their first four albums debut atop The Billboard 200. Britney Spears did it with her first four releases between 1999 and 2003, while DMX's first five albums all started at No. 1 between 1998 and 2003. Unweighted sales for "As I Am" through the close of business Tuesday (Nov. 13) from the Building Chart's panel of reporters stood at 160,000. Billboard estimates that the merchants who report to Nielsen SoundScan's Building Chart -- Trans World Entertainment, Best Buy, Circuit City, iTunes, Border's, Target, Anderson Merchandisers, and Handleman Co. -- represent 79% of the U.S. retail market. Keys' last release, 2005's "Unplugged," bowed at No. 1 with 196,000. Her first two studio albums, 2001's "Songs in A Minor" and 2003's "The Diary of Alicia Keys," also started at No. 1 with 236,000 and 618,000 units, respectively.

I was hoping this would happen. Alicia Keys deserves all of the acclaim she is receiving for her new project (As I Am) and then some. I am so in love with As I Am. I have not stopped listening to it since I bought it on Tuesday (I rushed out of work to buy it). I haven't been this satisfied with a cd purchase in a very, very LONG time. From the intro to the ending, every song embodies a sense of maturity, experience and true expression. Alicia is an old soul and I love her for it.

YOU GO GIRL!

*I'm also happy that Alicia is beating Celine Dion in record sales. I think Celine is an okay singer-- nothing special. She is so overrated and doesn't have half the talent that songstresses like Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey do (I HATE it when people clump Dion into the same category as Whitney and Mariah!) Celine growls when she sings. I can't stand it. I know I'm going to be seeing a lot more of her plastic face now that she's released this new album. She was on Oprah the other day and I have yet to figure out WHY Oprah loves her so much. Meh.

Rapper Kanye West's mother dies

2007-11-11T23:34:00.000-06:00

By JACOB ADELMAN, Associated Press Writer Sun Nov 11, 6:49 PM ET

LOS ANGELES - Donda West, mother of Kanye West and former chairwoman of Chicago State University's English department, has died, a spokesman for the rapper said. She was 58.

Donda West died Saturday night in Los Angeles, said the spokesman, who asked for anonymity because not all family members had been notified.

"The family respectfully asks for privacy during this time of grief," the spokesman said.

A cause of death has not been released.

Donda West was known for the strong bond she shared with her son, by whose side she was often seen at parties and award shows.

Kanye West, 30, often spoke of his close relationship with his mother, who raised him alone after her husband left when Kanye was 3.

She was the inspiration for the song, "Hey Mama," on Kanye West's 2005 album "Late Registration," in which he sings: "Hey Mama, I wanna scream so loud for you, cuz I'm so proud of you ... I appreciate what you allowed for me. I just want you to be proud of me."

Donda West frequently defended her son against critics who accused him of penning misogynistic lyrics and other purported transgressions.

"I support my baby," she said in a Chicago Sun-Times interview. "He is telling how he feels and he is speaking the truth as he sees it."

In May, she published the book "Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Star," in which she paid homage to her famous son.

Donda West served as chief executive of West Brands LLC, the parent company of her son's business enterprises, and as chairwoman of the Kanye West Foundation, an educational nonprofit that works to decrease dropout rates and improve literacy.

Kanye West told the Associated Press in August that he and his mother worked together to devise the foundation's first program, "Loop Dreams," which helps public school students get involved in music.

"Me and my mother were discussing ways to give back and came up with the concept," he said.

Donda West worked in higher education for 31 years, before leaving academia in 2004 to help manage her son's career, according to a biography on the Kanye West Foundation's Web site.

She began working at Chicago State University in 1980 and eventually chaired the school's English department, according to the site. She started her teaching career in the early 1970s as an instructor at Brown College in Atlanta.

Kanye West's writing partner Rhymefest lamented Donda West's death Sunday in an appearance on Chicago radio station WCGI.

"She was everyone's mom," Rhymefest said. "A spirit never dies, a spirit lasts forever."

___

Associated Press Music Writer Nekesa Mumbi Moody in New York and AP writer Sophia Tareen in Chicago contributed to this report.

I was just watching MTV's Unplugged with Kanye West the other day. It was a repeat from 2005, but I still thought that it was very well done. What I liked the most about it was the fact that Kanye's mother was in the audience grooving to all of the songs (she knew the lyrics to every song he performed). When Kanye performed "Hey Mama" from his sophomore cd Late Registration, he brought his mother onto stage and sang to her.

I've had my issues with Kanye West, but I can't deny that the man is a good artist with a gift for producing. What bothers me about him is his arrogance and need to "flash" all of the time. I guess it goes to show even those with money and fame cannot escape losing those that are most precious to them.

Eva and Kerry

2007-11-11T23:27:00.000-06:00

I liked this picture.. thought I'd post it...

No One

2007-11-11T18:12:00.000-06:00

I am listening to "As I Am" at the moment and I feel quite relaxed. I think Miss Keys made a good decision to allow fans to listen to her album a week early on sites such as mtv.com and msn.com. I like just about every song that I've listened to and I am patiently waiting for November 13th to roll around so that I can go and buy her album. There are very few artists who get me excited these days about album releases, but Alicia Keys is definitely an exception. I still have get the latest edition of Rolling Stone magazine as I have been very consistent in purchasing magazines that feature Miss Keys on the cover. She is so photogenic to say the least.

I remember the first time that I saw the video for "Fallen". I knew that Alicia would go very far. I'm so glad that she hasn't sold out by going all "pop star" on her fans like many artists have. She's authentic and true to her art form and that's what keeps her ahead of the game in such a volatile industry.

Sadly, I have yet to see Alicia in concert. I've been checking ilike for her concert dates and it seems like she's going to Europe before she heads to North America. I've heard from friends that she is exceptional on stage and keeps the crowd pumped and wanting more. She makes me feel that way just by listening to her music and watching her on television. She is dangerous (in a good way of course) in Common's "I Want You" video. There is a certain chemistry between those two artists that cannot be denied.

I'll leave you with the lyrics to her current song "No One", which resonate very deeply within my heart because they remind me so much of Z. Yes, I'm being mushy, but it is true. The first time I heard "No One" I cried because every word described the way that I feel about him. Okay, I'm going to stop now......

Alicia Keys -No One

I just want you close
Where you can stay forever
You can be sure
That it will only get better

You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don't worry 'cuz
Everything's going to be alright
People keep talking they can say what they like
But all i know is everything's going to be alright

No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you, you, you
Can get in the way of what I feel for you

When the rain is pouring down
And my heart is hurting
You will always be around
This I know for certain

You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don't worry 'cuz
Everything's going to be alright
People keep talking they can say what they like
But all i know is everything's going to be alright

No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you, you, you
Can get in the way of what I feel

I know some people search the world
To find something like what we have
I know people will try try to divide something so real
So til the end of time I'm telling you there is no one

No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you, you, you

oh oh oh oh
oh oh oh oh
oh oh oh oh
oh oh oh oh
oh oh oh oh

Marco the Horrible

2007-11-04T16:28:00.000-06:00

There is this man at my work place that I find incredibly annoying. I don't know who told him that he is God's gift to the universe. In his puny little mind, he really believes that he is all that and a bag of chips when in actuality, he is very far from it.

I think what bothers me most about him is the fact that he is SO disgustingly two faced. All he does is talk about other people. I've seen him do it time and time again. He is unstoppable. It is as if he speaks just to hear his voice over other people's voices.

Another thing that irks me is that he picks on everyone he comes into contact with. He always has something to say and it is hardly ever positive. The other day he told me that my shoulders broad (which is something that I already know about myself. I don't need him to point that out-- in front of everyone for that matter).

So the next day (casual day at work) I just looked at his jeans with this look of disapproval (I've been told that this look I give is pretty intimidating) and he kept saying "What is it? What are you looking at?" I told him that his shoes were "interesting" (not in a good way obviously) and he asked me what I meant by that. I told him that I didn't realize that shoes with big buckles were "in" for men. He looked so embarrassed and then said "Well at least I don't have a big butt". It was SO ridiculously childish. I think that the kids that are in my class are more mature and evolved than him and they are four years old.

His behaviour is clearly very unprofessional and a lot of people feel the same way that I do about him. The problem is that he's been working at our school for over ten years and is chums with the head master, so really, he's not going anywhere.

The funny thing is that there are so many things that I could tell people about him that would cause a whole lot of work place gossip. That isn't my style though. I know that I would really be hitting below the belt if I released the information that I know. Plus I'm not the type to gossip at work anyway, so it would sound really strange coming from me. He's just lucky that I'm good at keeping quiet.

I know that he makes fun of people because he's insecure about himself and his lifestyle. He has to be demeaning towards others to make himself feel good and powerful. I see right through him.

He's throwing a birthday party for himself next weekend at his house and many people are going because he likes to stock up on the finest of alcohol. I'm clearly not going. I don't care who is going. If I don't like a person why would I spend time outside of my work day socializing with them?

I think I'll just continue giving him my looks of disapproval because I really think that they bother him. I'll give him a couple extra on his birthday.

Vogue in India and other thoughts

2007-11-02T23:30:00.000-06:00

I would like to think people have grown past the outdated notion that beauty is assessed by skin tone. Unfortunately, for some beauty is still defined by that very thing. I do not agree with it or support it. Being a South Asian myself, I remember all too well, the sad importance paid on achieving fairness. I would like to think my generation is beyond skin color and is not abusing bleaching creams to find some kind of fortune or good luck. Dark is lovely. Fair is lovely. All the colors in between, equally lovely. Can you dig it?

I am sure there are plenty of people who feel the way I do. I am not generalizing and trying to stay away from any kind of stereotype. I know regardless of how I feel, sometimes the media and fashion advertising can foster such negative stereotypes and ideals.

Just recently Vogue launched its magazine in India. Wonderful thing for fashionistas abroad and here. What made me a little sad was the cover. Here you have two beautiful Indian Women, [thats seem okay right?] balancing the center Model who is not Indian. The model is equally beautiful. Why not All Indian models? It's the first issue especially geared for Indian women. Maybe the intentions weren't rooted in some marketing ideal. However, it does make me think. I guess we should look forward to future issues.

With that being in mind, I ran over to Youtube. I thought of the "Fair and lovely" bleaching cream. I remember how crazy those old commercials were. A girl, who was down on her luck, found her savior in skin lightening. Her luck changed. Suddenly she was more successful and happier.

Women have suffered long enough to what marketing campaigns have labeled beauty. We have eaten the bread and butter they served us, and we are still fat. At 27 , I know better not to buy into that. What scares me is some women in my age group still eat that bread and butter.

Not to go into another topic, but I am all for self improvement. I believe we should always be working towards our best, both mentally and physically. I do not think that we should be ashamed of what we are. We should not feel insecure about our given gifts of individual beauty. We are all unique and little bit different on purpose. No one is the same. We are all beautiful.

Still thinking like a Canadian

2007-10-22T13:05:00.000-06:00

Today is the first day of my fall break. I am hoping that I'm able to write more because I do have a lot to document/say. Time has literally flown by me without much warning at all.

I think back to Z and I getting married in May 2005 and wonder to myself how time has elapsed so quickly. I went from being twenty-five to being twenty-seven in what seems like a blink of an eye. Mind you, I'm not complaining about being "old". I hate it when people complain about that shit. I'm merely stating that it is surreal how time just keeps passing by.

There was some nonsense called "The Texas State Fair" going on here in Dallas for about twenty days. I was initially contemplating going, but then I found out that they had a fried food contest and the winner was "Fried Coke". What the hell? Seriously, if you were to come to Texas, you'd see that people here really need to STOP frying food because so many people are obese. Portion sizes are out of control, as are people's appetites. I decided to boycott the fair because I didn't want to be a part of the whole "fried food is fun" movement. Don't get me wrong, I love my fried food (mostly Indian food/Ethiopian appetizers and French fries), but God help me if I start eating fried okra, grits, spinach and a list of other artery cloggers.

I saw a "Support New Orleans" bumper sticker on a car the other day and smiled to myself. That was the one I have seen like it here. All I see is these yellow "Support The Troops" bumper stickers on every damn truck that drives by. And when people claim they support the troops, they often mean that they support the war as well. I don't want to get into the idiotic things I have heard every now and then from people in public places expressing their thoughts (of there lack of forming thoughts I should say) about the war. It's as if you have to prove how "Texan" you are by how big your truck is and then putting a support the troops bumper sticker on in.

It is SO annoying driving on the highway and seeing so many damn trucks. And when I say trucks I don't mean a Pathfinder or an Explorer. I'm talking about big ass, gas guzzling mother fucking trucks that prevent you from seeing incoming traffic when you're trying to take a left turn. I'm GLAD that gas prices are rising. These bitches have no right to complain because they made the decision to purchase such monstrosities!

That is the end of my rant.

Don't Call it a Comeback..

2007-09-19T12:15:00.000-06:00

Where does the time go? I haven't updated my blog since July (when I was still in Toronto visiting). It's now September 19.

I think I'm going to try to update when I don't have afternoon recess duty. I have about fifteen minutes to myself. I miss blogging and I need to keep up with it. I think it's so great to go back and be able to read about how I was feeling at a specific period in time.

Z and I are going to see The Roots, Big Daddy Kane and MC Lyte tonight. Word on the street is that there might be other acts there as well because it's a VH1 Honors Concert (honoring The Roots). "What They Do" by The Roots is still one of my all time favourite videos. I've been in love The Roots since I was in middle school. I'm so glad that we're going to see them tonight. ESPECIALLY after I missed Common over the weekend. Over $100 wasted on tickets that we couldn't even use (because I was too sick to go and Z didn't want to leave me at home by myself). What a waste. We tried calling friends to see if anyone wanted them, but no one was answering their phones. Oh well. Hopefully we'll be able to see him in another city sometime soon.

The classroom is so quiet right now. It seems strange because all throughout the day it's bustling with sounds and right now all I can hear is myself typing.

I can't believe that September has almost come to an end and it is still so damn hot here in Dallas. There is no sign of fall at all. Fall is my favourite season. I love the crispness of the leaves, that fall smell that's in the air (no, I'm not talking about bonfires!) and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE fall fashion. I exceptionally love how hounds tooth and plaid always make a comeback in the fall, which is why I've held on to certain items in my closet for years.

But alas, I haven't been able to wear any of my fall attire yet because it is just too hot. Apparently it remains this way until the end of October. How blah.

America's Next Top Model begins tonight. I've already set my recorder to tape the series. Hopefully I'll have some time to watch it after the concert tonight. I have to see who these new ladies are. And you know I can't get enough of Mr. Sexy Jay Manuel. He rocks my socks.

Mama, you know I love you....

2007-07-21T17:06:00.000-06:00

I'm back in Mississauga for the summer. I've been here since late June and I head back to Dallas August 13.

It always feels good to be back and be catered to by my parents (not that I ask them to cater to me of course-- they just remember everything that I like and go out of their way to make my stay more than pleasant).

I cannot resist eating my mom's food, make exclusively for me with love. Even though I try to explain to her that she doesn't have to go out of her way to make me anything, she simply ignores my requests and does what she wants anyway. I can't win! What scares me is that she is getting older and tasks that seemed more than simple a few years ago seem almost impossible at times and take so much time to complete.

I feel guilty that I can't be around more often to help her with things that she needs assistance with. Simple things like washing the dishes (can you imagine that we had a dishwasher and my mom had it taken out because she preferred having an extra cabinet?.. she really regrets that decision now).. as I was saying.. simple things such as dishes and cutting meat/veggies are very difficult tasks for her, so I try to stick around with her in the kitchen and do whatever I can, without making her feel like she's aging.. which is sometimes hard to do, because she doesn't want to accept the fact that she is getting older and isn't able to maintain the same pace that she used to.

I'd like to hire someone to come in and help her with her housework, but knowing my mother, she'll be on that woman's ass, telling her that she's not doing it right. Then she'll end up taking the cleaning utensils and cleaning everything herself and she'll tell the cleaning lady to watch her.. Yup.. that's my mother... I love her to death.

It's been a long time..

2007-04-16T19:56:00.000-06:00

It has been a very long time since I last blogged. I find myself pressed for time and unable to write as much as I'd like to.

I'm not complaining though because I have been blessed with a job that fulfills me beyond expression. Teaching young children warms my heart on a daily basis.

I also have the opportunity to work with people who come from all corners of the earth. I love going into work and learning about new cultures and trying food that I've never tasted before.

Mind you there are a couple of women that I work with that are shamelessly two faced and if I had it my way, I would slap some sense into them-- but that's not my style. I keep my distance and never, ever tell them anything personal about myself.

I don't think I'll ever be able to understand why so many women (especially in a work environment) can be so catty and foul mouthed. There have been many instances where I have either diverted the topic at hand during lunch or have felt so uncomfortable that I've left the room. I'm sure I was talked about right after I did that. But at least as a whole, the people I work with are spectacular. There are just two women that need to be put in their place. The funny thing is that one of them will not be coming back for the next school year--- because she wasn't given an opportunity to re-new her contract. I guess you reap what you sew...

I'm enjoying a week off from work this week. I love how our school's break schedule. Because it is a private school, most of our holidays differ than other schools (aside from Christmas and summer break). We get to have a week off every two months, which I adore.

After working nine hours a day, I look forward to having some time to just engage in nothingness.. to be able to sleep in (and not have to wake up at 5am).. mind you I can't sleep in past 8am.. but still.. that's three hours worth of extra sleep..I used to go to bed so late before.. now I can hardly keep my eyes open past 10pm...lol..

Americal Idol?.... No Signs Of One Tonight!

2007-02-20T23:06:00.000-06:00

I have this week off from work. Yeay for school breaks!

As much as I tried to sleep in, my efforts have been in vain. I can't sleep past 7am, which I guess is a bit better than waking up at 5am.

I watched American Idol this evening (I was anticipating it all day). I was so disappointed because I wasn't feeling most of the performances (dawg). I thought that Blake was the only one that really performed. Is it just me, or is this season lacking men that well.. sound like men? No offence, I love falsettos, but why do all the guys sing in falsetto? Ruben and Elliot would have easily kicked everyone's ass tonight if they were in this years competition. Tonight really lacked variety. I really hope that the girls are better tomorrow night.

As much as I'd love to write more, my eye lids are getting heavy. I fall asleep a lot earlier than I used to. I don't want to fight it and stay up.

Blessings and Prayers Going Out to Sarah Taylor

2007-02-19T23:39:00.000-06:00

Sarah Taylor, a MuchMusic VJ who co-hosts MuchOnDemand, is in a coma after undergoing emergency brain surgery. While covering the NBA All-Star weekend in Las Vegas, the 25-year-old Hamilton native was rushed to a hospital where doctors performed life-saving surgery to relieve pressure on her brain. So far she's ok, although doctors put her into a coma to help her recover.Family members and a senior CHUM employee have flown to Vegas to be with her during her hospital stay. Sarah's perky attitude and naturally hip demeanour has made her one of the Canadian music station's brightest stars. Even though Citytv reports that the operation was successful, it's hard not to worry about the Canadian girl. We're sending positive vibes her way.

It was the best of times.. it was the worst of times..

2007-02-04T10:46:00.000-06:00

So much has happened since I last blogged. I've experienced a vast array of emotions during the past few weeks ranging from excitement to extreme sadness.

My beloved grandfather passed away last week in his sleep. I couldn't believe it. I had just spoken to him on the phone not too long ago and his voice was bursting with energy (as always). I don't think that he was ever the same though since my grandmother passed in 2000. My grandparents had one of the sweetest relationships I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing. They did everything together and my grandfather worshipped the ground my grandmother walked on. Although he didn't express his feelings to anyone about her passing, you could just tell that he was beside himself.

My grandfather was eighty years old. I couldn't imagine living eighty years. Just think of everything that has happened during the course of the past eighty years. He must have seen so much.

He was such a caring individual always brimming with hope and positive thoughts.

Everyone says that it seemed like he knew that he was going to pass based on his actions during the past little while. He was giving away all of his wealth to the needy and helping people as much as he could (he always did this during the course of his life, but he did even more before his passing).

What freaked me out was the fact that my mom *knew that he was going to pass. She always knows. She has very detailed dreams about people that are going to pass away. So before anyone dies, its like she knows before hand. It scares the living day lights out of me that she has the ability to do that. I think it frightens her as well. I told her that if she ever has a dream about me, to keep it to herself-- unless I strike it rich or something-- other than that, I don't want to know.

It kills me that I can't be there for my mom during this time. I couldn't fly back to visit her because I just started working the week that my grandfather passed and my mom insisted that I stay in Dallas. This is the major disadvantage of being away from my family-- I can't physically be there for them immediately if something happens.

I just hope that both of my grandparents are reunited and that they are walking hand in hand in heaven. That is such a beautiful image.

I began working about two weeks ago at a private school (ranging from pre school-grade twelve). I'm an associate kindergarten teacher and I LOVE it.

My post secondary career consisted of me studying business and although it was great at the time and I was able to work in marketing afterwards, after moving to Dallas, business just didn't seem like the route for me anymore.

I went on several different interviews with companies here and I just wasn't impressed with the "rat race" and the superficiality of the corporate environment. It simply isn't me at this stage in my life.

So I began tutoring disadvantaged children at a local library and felt that my heart was so fulfilled by doing so.

It was more than evident that my heart was telling me that I should seek employment within a learning environment and fortunately, I was blessed with an amazing job that seems like it was created just for me.

The school teaches students in both french and English (50/50) and twice a week in Spanish. I cannot explain how refreshing it is to be exposed to so many different languages. I have always had a very keen interest in linguistics and pick up languages quite quickly. I've had exposure to french my whole life and I've always been interested in Spanish, so naturally, I immediately felt that I fit in.

I adore being around the children. They are so openly honest, innocent and so much more intelligent than people give them credit for. It warms my heart when they give me hugs and tell me that they love me. What more could I ask for? I love feeling loved :)

Another thing that I really appreciate is the fact that the staff is really multicultural. I work with people from all over the world and I love it. I have always enjoyed being around different types of people for I feel that it helps me learn more about the world and where other people come from.

The only thing I've had a bit of trouble with is getting up at 5am every morning. I've got to be at school for 7:15 to help run the before school program. Don't get me wrong, I love being surrounded by all the children in the morning, its just that I am not used to waking up that early yet. I know that my body will probably adjust soon though. As soon as I come home, I take a nap and I go to sleep a LOT earlier than I used to, which I guess is a good thing!

You Know U Grew Up in the 80s/90s If............

2007-01-21T18:15:00.000-06:00

I can relate to almost all of these.. with a few exceptions....

You Know U Grew Up In the 80s/ Early 90s If...

1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE-check
2. You watched the Pound Puppies.- check--loved them!
3. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Belair...and can do the Carlton-you betcha!
4. Girls wore biker shorts under their skirts and felt stylish and sexy.
5. You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters club and tried to start a club of your own. I wanted to be Claudia because she was such a fashionista
6. You owned those lil' Strawberry Shortcake pals scented dolls.
7. You know that WOAH; comes from Joey on Blossom. I loved Joey.. I got his cd.. had the biggest crush on him
8. Two words: Hammer Pants.. yes.. in three different colours.. :S
9. If you ever watched Fraggle Rock... I wanted to chill in their cave with them!
10. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars... or playing cards on your spokes for that incredible sound effect.. I tried to ride my bike as fast as I could to make the streamers fly..
11. You can sing the entire theme song to DuckTales.. Duck Tales wooo oooo
12. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons YES!
13. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head Mmmhmmm
14. You saw the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the big screen...and still know the turtles names. Yes.. AND I remember that Technotronic came out with the song "Get Up" for the soundtrack of the movie.. "Get up, get up, get busy do it, I wanna see you party, get up people now get down do it, before the night is over"... :D
15. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
16. You made your Mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side. In all different shades and colours..
17. You played the game MASH (Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House)
18. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it. Sadly so...
19. L.A. Gear....need I say more? Had a pink and white pair
20. You wanted to change your name to JEM in Kindergarten. (She's truly outrageous.) Shoot, I would STILL change my name to Jem..
21. You remember reading Tales of a fourth grade nothing and all the Ramona books. I heart Romona.. the first time I heard a Romona book was Miss Armstrong's second grade class (Romona the Pest).. I just bought that book from amazon a few months ago and plan on buying the rest of the Romona collection very soon!
22. You know the profound meaning of WAX ON, WAX OFF Yes! And I had the BIGGEST crush on the Karate Kid..
23. You wanted to be a Goonie. Indeed.. especially after I watched the movie for the first time in grade 3
24. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us...head-to-toe) Oh yeah.. down to my socks, shoes and even FINGER nails!
25. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted. Yes..
26. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf. I still do!
27. You took lunch boxes to school... and traded Garbage Pail kids in the schoolyard. My first lunch box was a yellow She-Ra lunch box with a matching thermos.. and yes, I traded Garbage Pail kids cards until they were BANNED at our school!
28. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets. Stupid schools banning fun stuff!
29. You still get the urge to say NOT after every sentence. My parents used to get so annoyed when I did that
30. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts. Yes!
31. Barbie and the Rockers was your favorite band. Nope.. Jem and the Holograms.. then The Misfits and then Barbie and the Rockers!
32. You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Man should hook up EEW! No! They were BROTHER AND SISTER you NASTY ASS!.. that's just gross!
33. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.. made from both thread and "gimp"
34. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes. (and like ..24, probably in neon colors, too) I'd say about 3 pairs..
35. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying, "I know you are, but what am I?" How did you know?
36. You remember I've fallen and I can't get up.. I crank called some random person and said that.. she called our home back and told my mom.. needless to say she was not amused and I got into big trouble!
37. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates YES! To classic 80's music!
38. You ever got seriously injured on a Slip and Slide.
39. You have ever played with a Skip-It. Yes.. with that faulty ass timer thing that never worked properly!
40. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds.. Central Parkway Mall Represent!
41. You've gone through this nodding your head in agreement For the most part..
42. You remember Popples LOVED THEM!
43. Don't worry, be happy.. My dad would always sing that to my mom..
44. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks over tights with high top Reeboks.
45. You wore socks scrunched down Check
46. You remember boom boxes..and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that... Ummm.. people don't do that anymore.. whoops! ;)
47. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.. Gizmo was the cutest!
48. You know what it meant to say Care Bear Stare!! Yup.. did it last night at Dunkin Donuts.. lol.. just kidding..
49. You remember watching Rainbow Bright and My Little Pony Tales.. yes! Had a Rainbow Brite colouring book with matching crayons! And I had a My Little Pony named Masquerade.. I loved both shows..
50. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot... I thought Sam was very pretty.. Doogie didn't do much for me back then..
51. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac. I loved how he always tried to eat the cat when no one was looking.. I thought that was the funniest thing..
52. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool...and refer to them as NKOTB Sorry I STILL think that they are cool.. don't hate!
53. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on Saved By The Bell,The ORIGINAL class. Yes! I always hated Slater's high, pleated pants though.. those were not cool!
54. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART. Nope.. more like Living on a Prayer!
55. You just sang those words to yourself. Okay.. so I did!
56. You remember watching Magic vs. Bird. Classic!
57. Homemade Levi shorts.. (the shorter the better) Not if my mother could help it! No short shorts allowed!
58. You remember when mullets were cool! They were?
59. You had a mullet or a close relative did! Umm.. no.. sorry
60. You still sing We are the World Damn skippy!
61. You tight rolled your jeans. Sad, but true
62. You owned a bannana clip. Check
63. You remember Where's the Beef?
64. You used to (and probably still do) say;What you talkin' about Willis? Used to.. not any more
65. You had big hair and you knew how to use it. Eww.. don't remind me.. bad, repressed memories when I didn't have access to hair care products to settle my crazy hair down
66. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head, aren't you!!! Maybe....

Grey Matter...

2007-01-19T13:41:00.000-06:00

Isaiah Washington better watch his back.. Katherine Heigl looks like she can take him.. and she said that she would "throw down" for T.R. Knight.. he better watch it.. that's all I have to say...

Last night's episode of Grey's made me cry.. it wasn't just the phenomenal story line that got to me.. it was the fact that it reminded me of how my uncle died in late 2005.. the similarities were eerie.. I'm just glad that my cousin (my uncle's daughter) that was most impacted by my uncle's death, is in Indonesia right now and didn't see last night's episode. I wouldn't want her to see it.. it would bring up too many memories..

After seeing how much my aunt and cousin's went through when my uncle was diagnosed with cancer (it happened very suddenly.. he died within three months of being diagnosed) and witnessing his death, I am extremely terrified of having to deal with such a situation.. I can't even think of something happening to my parents or my brother.. the very thought of it sends my mind spinning and often brings tears to my eyes..

I don't know how my cousin's did it... they remained so strong and composed (in front of others anyway).. I know I wouldn't be able to hold myself together long enough to form a proper sentence if I went through such a thing..

I wish that everyone could just live forever.. that we never had to experience death or have to go through seeing people in such grave pain.. wishful thinking.. I know.. but how I wish it were reality.. reality is very, very frightening at times..

Happy Birthday Jay!

2007-01-18T16:31:00.000-06:00

A big birthday shout out to my beautiful friend Jay! Here's to many, many more years of true friendship and good fortune..

Your birthday has brought me much luck this year! It must have been in the stars or something.. I was meant to land this wonderful job today.. did you have something to do with it missy?..... humm.... now you got me thinking.....

Thank you for being my soul sista.. I love you much!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVE! MUUUUUUUAH!

A Racist Tale...

2007-01-17T13:18:00.000-06:00

Z and I were at Dunkin Donuts (my Tim Horton's alternative-- because you KNOW I'm not going to Starbucks!-- their coffee is horrible and on top of that its overpriced-- not a good combination)...

So Z and I were in line at Dunkin Donuts last night and in front of us was a man who was mumbling to himself about how there were only Hispanic employees at this particular location "Damn spics need to go back to where they came from.. taking over our jobs..." Z and I both looked at one another and raised a brow.. so then when this racist was ordering his coffee he asked the cashier if she spoke English (she was already speaking English with him, not Spanish... he was being a jackass).. She smiled and said "Yes sir, I speak English very well".. and then when she told him his total he said, "Oh so, do I like have to pay with pesos or some shit like that?".. My jaw dropped.. I could not believe that he said that.. I punched Z's leg, and we both looked at each other again.. we both then spoke up (oddly at the same time) that they accept American dollars, not pesos and he turned around and shot us a dirty look--- we shot it right back.. I was amazed at the cashier's tolerance level though because she did not crack.. she didn't get mad or upset (at least visibly).. Z and I were more upset than she was.. when the fucker was done with his order he called out to his wife and said "Man, these people are taking over our country"... and then walked out the door.. I'm pretty sure that the idiot concluded that Z and I were Hispanic as well and that he was outnumbered in the coffee shop..

Never, in my life, have I seen such a blatant display of hatred against someone.. I mean I have been called probably every racist name in the book, but I have never been put in a situation like the cashier was..

Z and I both stayed afterwards to speak to the girl and apologized on the fucker's behalf.. she said that it didn't get to her.. that she was used to it.. she said that a lot of "trucker" types come in and spew their racist venom, trying to get her and her co-workers to act out so that they can get them into trouble.. that's why she tries to be even kinder to such people...

My hat goes off to this girl because I don't think that I could do the same.. I have a high tolerance level, but to hear such utter garbage come out of someone's mouth, disgusts the hell out of me..

The cashier told us that many people from different states end up coming into Dunkin Donuts because they are making "pit stop", so its hard to pin point exactly where these people are from.. you can't assume that they are all from Dallas, or Texas for that matter..

I must say that since I have moved to Dallas, I have noticed that there is a common thread amongst the Hispanic people that I have come across-- they are all very, very resilient and hard working. As much as people complain about them, they fail to realize that they are just trying to make a damn living so that they can support their families. It bugs the hell out of me when people like the bastard from Dunkin Donuts say things like "They are taking our jobs"... no.. they are not taking your jobs, because you wouldn't do the jobs that they do.. these people barely get paid minimum wage, very rarely have health benefits and many of them work two to three jobs... and they do it with a smile on their face, NEVER complaining about the amount of hours they have to be out of their homes...

I hate ignorance.. I hate racists.. I hate people that come to conclusions without knowing jack shit..

The End..

Yo Adoro Realmente America Ferrera

2007-01-16T14:42:00.000-06:00

I've loved Miss America since "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants"... yes.. I own that dvd and I am not afraid to admit it.. I loved her in it.. She was also magnificent in "Real Women Have Curves".. which I also own.. (amazon.. I'm telling you.. rewards points please...)

I'm so elated by the fact that Ugly Betty has done so well and that America Ferrera is getting the recognition that she deserves..

Go America, Go!

Yeay!

2007-01-15T22:44:00.000-06:00

America Ferrera made me cry! Awwww, she won!! Yeees! She owed the Golden Globes.. her and Mr. Sacha Baron Cohen.. he is so hilarious..

Yeay for Forrest Whittaker, Dreamgirls and Grey's Anatomy---- "seriously?" :)

Golden Globes and Immature Hoes....

2007-01-15T21:24:00.000-06:00

Yeay for Ugly Betty and Jennifer Hudson!! Sorry Beyonce.. maybe next time girl.. I love how Jamie Foxx always addresses the hip hop crowd at awards shows.. "Jiggga"...lol..

I'm still in the midst of watching the Golden Globes.. i decided to tape the rest though, because I was getting bored and wanted to be able to fast forward through boring people's speeches..

I decided to cancel my hi5 account because there was WAY too much unnecessary drama going on for my liking.. you'd think that some people from high school would have matured a little bit.. but I guess that is expecting too much.. I prefer facebook anyway... I think that my best hi5 experience was getting to know Stella better.. she is such an intriguing person.. I've known her sister Estelle for ages (since middle school), but never really had the opportunity to know Stella until hi5.. so I'm happy about that fact...

Hi5'ers be warned.. people can hack into your account and try to change shit around.. it happened to me.. it was not cool at all.. I had to contact administration to get back into my account and then cancel it.. good times?.... no... not at all... any one can be a bad ass behind a computer screen I suppose...

Hiding Time..

2007-01-12T17:21:00.000-06:00

There are big ass pieces of hail falling outside and wind is gushing ear piercingly loud.. I am frightened.. Is the day of reckoning drawing near?.. it seems like it every time I encounter weather like this.. time to hide under my desk..

Unreal

2007-01-10T01:01:00.000-06:00

I am addicted to facebook. I joined about two weeks ago, upon the suggestion of a friend and now I am hopelessly hooked.

I have come across people that I haven't heard from since high school/middle school. Both my high school and middle school have groups which discuss old memories from our educational/ social experiences.

I was floored to find out that several teacher's that taught me in middle school are STILL there and continue to use the same teaching styles (or lack thereof) that they used to in the early 90's!

I was browsing dvd titles on amazon today and discovered that there are many new releases that I need to get my hands on.. honestly, amazon NEEDS to have a rewards program, because I have to be one of their best customers...

DVD's I will have my hands on in the near future:

Yeay for Mr. Dreyfuss

2007-01-07T17:22:00.000-06:00

Z and I just finished watched Mr. Holland's Opus this afternoon. I can't get enough of that movie. I saw it on the Disney Channel about two years ago and had to buy the dvd.. I think that Richard Dreyfuss is an extraordinary actor and person. I saw him on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher in November and was astounded by his intelligence. Bill Maher usually doesn't allow his panel guests to speak for very long without interrupting them, but he barely interjected when Richard Dreyfuss was discussing the importance of teaching civics in schools. I commend Mr. Dreyfuss for his active role in promoting individual rights, freedom of speech and for having the backbone to call for the impeachment of G.Bush. We need more free thinking individuals like him to aid in making this country a better place..

Random

2007-01-07T01:42:00.000-06:00

I can't sleep.. the new year has brought me a slow growing wisdom tooth that is making my mouth hurt like a beyatch, which therefore isn't allowing me to sleep.. who would have thought at the age of 26, I would have a wisdom tooth growing inside my mouth... my first one at that.. meh..

I've been downloading music like nobody's business lately.. my new trick has been to look up albums on amazon and then copying and pasting song titles into limewire.. Hey you can't criticize me for downloading because I spend a heck of a lot of money buying cds as well.. my cd collection is extremely insane.. I can't help it.. I've always loved music..

I've rediscovered so many old songs that I totally forgot about.. such as "Mercedes Boy" by Pebbles.. that one totally slipped my mind until I looked up Pebbles on amazon..

The following are songs I have been jamming to for the past few days.. my January playlist, so to speak..I'm known for being extremely random as you'll discover while reading the following song titles..

Vivan Green- Emotional Rollercoaster

Zion I- Mind Blow

Tamia- Officially Missing You

Keith Murry-The Most Beautifulest Thing

Maxwell- Ascension

Kish- I Rhyme The World

Al Green-Love and Happiness

Bilal-Soul Sista
Donnie Hathaway-For All We Know

Jane Child-Don't Wanna Fall In Love
Das EFX-Real Hip Hop

Donnell Jones-He Won't Hurt You
Pete Rock and CL Smooth-Its A Love Thing
Aaliyah-At Your Best (You Are Love)

En Vogue-Hold On

Bootsy Collins-I'd Rather Be With You

Deniece Williams- Let's Hear It For The Boy

Glenn Maderios feat Bobby Brown- She Ain't Worth It

Gorillaz- Tomorrow Comes Today

Mariah Carey-Can't Let Go

Sanchez feat Beenie Man- Going Away

The Beatles-Hard Days Night

Gwen Stephani- Wonderful Life

Atlantic Star-Shower Me With Your Love

LL Cool J-Around The Way Girl
Domino-Sweet Potato Pie
K-os-Sunday Morning

Incubus- Anna Molly

Van Morrison-Brown Eyed Girl

Jennifer Hudson- And I Am Telling You
Nappy Roots-Round The Globe
Alanis Morissette-Flinch

Glenn Lewis-Something About Your Love

Robin Thicke- Lost Without You
Counting Crows-Mr. Jones

Angie Stone- With I Didn't Miss You
Cassie-Me And You
Sam Roberts-Brother Down

The Killers-Bones

Expose-I'll Never Get Over You Getting Over Me
Fu Shnickens-Ring The Alarm

Fantasia feat Big Boi- Hood Boy
Smashing Pumpkins-1979

Stevie Wonder-They Won't Go When I Go

Inner Circle- Girl I Want To Make You Sweat

Kid N Play- Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody

Goapele-Back To You

Audioslave-Doesn't Remind Me
Stevie Wonder-Sir Duke
Nas-One Love

Monifah-You

Bran Van 3000-Astounded
Tiffany-I Think We're Alone Now

XCSCAPE-Who Can I Run To

T.I.- Top Back

D'Angelo-Lady remix
Jerzee Monet feat DMX-Most High

John Lennon-Imagine

De La Soul- Break of Dawn

The Fugees-Ready Or Not

Roxettte-Fading Like A Flower

Esthero-Bitch
Shakira-Ojos Asi
Oasis-Wonderwall
Mos Def-Umi Says
Justin Timberlake-Chop Me Up
Jay-Z-Song Cry

Ghetto Boys- My Minds Playing Tricks On Me

Fleetwood Mac- Tell Me Lies
Shanice-Saving Forever For You

Zapp and Roger-Computer Love
MC Lyte-Paper Thin

Beres Hammond-They Gonna Talk

Andre 3000-Prototype

Michael Jackson-PYT
Alicia Keys-Diary

And that's the end of my playlist for the beginning of January .. a combination of old and new songs that make me feel like vibin' out...

Year end Annoyance

2006-12-31T01:38:00.000-06:00

I am annoyed.. I was just watching music videos online and watched the video "Pac's Life" by Tupac featuring Ashanti and TI.. It was horrible.. it was so happy, go-lucky... blah.. makes me sick..

Ashanti's part is really unnecessary.. all of her hooks sound exactly the same.. someone needs to tell this girl to retire because her music is PLAYED out!

Pac and TI sound great.. its Ashanti that needs to be bumped off the track.. I don't dig the beat either.. I'm disappointed... if you are paying homage to Tupac, you should at least do a good job..

On a total side note......

I'm downright disgusted by clothing lines such as Baby Phat and Sean John using dog fur to make their clothes, whist advertising it as "faux fur".. Diddy claims that he didn't know that this was happening and apologized.. I'm waiting for PETA to pounce on him and Kimmora Lee.. it'll be fun to see how they get out of that one...

Well boys and girls.. tis the last day of 2006..... a year has come and gone (so has K-fed's "rap" career- thank the heavens above!).. Let's hope that the new year brings us all good tidings, peace and prosperity..

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Nas Scores Third No. 1 Album With 'Hip-Hop Is Dead'

2006-12-28T02:00:00.000-06:00

Nas scores his third No. 1 on The Billboard 200 this week with his eighth studio set, "Hip Hop Is Dead." The Def Jam effort moved 355,000 copies last week in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The rapper's last effort, "Street's Disciple," peaked at No. 5 on the chart. Nas' two other sets to take the summit were 1999's "I Am... The Autobiography" and 1996's "It Was Written."

I can't say I'm surprised. Like I've said before, Nas has irrefutable talent PERIOD! Its nice to know that despite the rise of "crap rap", REAL hip hop is still appreciated.

Z bought me the new Nas album and I dig it a lot. My favourite tracks are "Hip hop is dead" and "Carry on Tradition".

Much love to Nas! Do yo thang!

The Pursuit of Happyness

2006-12-28T01:39:00.000-06:00

Just came back from watching The Pursuit of Happyness and I'm feeling so inspired. Chris Garder's story was very moving. And he's managed to remain humble and not forget his adversities (saw him on Oprah a few weeks ago and he was oh so kind hearted and down to earth).

Will Smith does a great job portraying Chris in the movie. I can't contain my tears when Will Smith cries. I'm so used to him acting goofy, that whenever I see him in a scene where he sheds tears, he catches me off guard and I lose it. Damn you Will! I particularly liked the ending.. I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen in. But I loved the scene where he's taken into the board room.. that's all I'm saying. Tears galore on my end..

And his son!!! Jayden is SO SO SO SO SO SO CUTE! I think I must have said that at least ten times during the course of the film. It always compels me when I see a child act that well. He was superb. I loved him. And he is SO cute! That hair! That face! His expressions.. aww..

I really admire Chris Garder because he exemplifies what the phrase "good parent" means. Despite his circumstances, he always made time to make his son feel somewhat normal. He spent time with him, he taught him important lessons and he listened to him. This is what children need from their parents... they need attention.. they need love..

I plan on buying Chris Garder's book tomorrow.. I hear its just as good as the movie...

Man arrested after trying to hide $70,000 from airport screeners

2006-12-22T18:28:00.000-06:00

Stupid, stupid, stupid.....

That's all I can say...

Man arrested after trying to hide $70,000 from airport screeners

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A man who told airport security that the $70,000 in cash causing his pants pockets to bulge were Muslim "prayer books" could soon face charges of mortgage fraud.

Federal officials said Don A. White Jr. of Sacramento, attempted to board a Southwest Airlines flight to San Diego last week at the Kansas City International Airport.

After White made two unsuccessful passes through a metal detector, security personnel patted him down and noticed "bulky solid items" in his cargo pants pockets.

White, 27, reportedly told the security officer that he was a Muslim carrying prayer books. He later acknowledged he was Christian but still refused to let security personnel touch his prayer books.

After security supervisor Lowell Brashears recommended White put the prayer books in a tray, let the tray go through the X-ray machine and then get them on the other side, White agreed and stepped up to the X-ray machine, court documents said.

Officers said White then took off, ran out of the terminal and into traffic. He was arrested soon after with the cash in his pockets.

Federal agents claim he told them that the money came from a mortgage fraud scheme in the Kansas City area where loans were obtained using inflated property appraisals. He declined to give more details on the alleged scheme, the court records said.

Prosecutors since 2004 have focused on mortgage fraud rings using inflated property appraisals. In October, real estate investor Brent Barber was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for being involved in a similar scheme.

White was released on $5,000 bond and ordered to remain in the Kansas City area. Prosecutors plan to take his case to a grand jury.

SOURCE: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2006-12-21-flier-arrested-after-$70,000-found-said-muslim-prayer-books_x.htm

*Muslim prayer books? Seriously? If he was Muslim, why would he be hiding prayer books in his pants? That just sounds suspect.

*I guess this fool hasn't heard of "wire transfers" when it comes to dealing with large sums of money

Like I said.. STUPID!

Yeay Alicia!

2006-12-21T17:21:00.000-06:00

Can't wait for this one!!! I love me some Alicia Keys!

Alicia keys is starting her movie career and is going to kick it off with a bang with Smokin’ Aces. Alicia will play a ruthless assassin in the action comedy along side Ben Affleck and many other big stars.

With a plot straight out of the “48 Hours”/ “Midnight Run” playbook, “Aces” casts Reynolds as an FBI agent masterminding a manhunt for a loudmouthed standup comedian (Piven). With the comic making plans to testify against the mafia, Keys and a collection of fellow hired killers seek to cash in on the contract on his life. As Reynolds’ character attempts to bring the squealing joker into police custody, the comedian insists on entertaining one last Tahoe crowd.

Keys, a former child prodigy who has previously flirted with Hollywood by contributing songs to the “Shaft” and “Men in Black” soundtracks, had previously signed a deal with Sony to portray piano player Philippa Schuyler in a film based on the book “Compositions in Black and White” (see “Alicia Keys To Play Biracial Piano Prodigy In First Movie”). “Smokin’ Aces” would likely leapfrog “Compositions” on Keys’ upcoming production slate.

Good Music vs Commercial Ventures...

2006-12-21T14:54:00.000-06:00

Ooooh.. Mos Def's ex wife must have done him wrong.. if you listen to his song "U R the One" (from the new album True Magic-- thanks again Steph!) the man is serious when expressing his feelings towards her.. eeek.. the chorus is very catchy though.. "U R the one, you're the one, FUCK YOU!"... lol..

My fav track on the album is "Dollar Day"... its about time someone came out with such a song..I love it when Mos goes on his "reggae rants".. I really like how it sounds..

Moving on.....

Kelis has her very own Ford campaign.. I didn't see this one coming...yet another celebrity being used to market goods.. She should have at least decided to market something that she would use herself.. A Ford? That's not very believable if you ask me.. Can you see her driving around in a Ford singing "I'm Bossy!".. yeah.. not happening.. I miss her big, curly hair! I liked her first two albums a lot.. the new one she has out right now doesn't appeal to me at all.. I downloaded a bunch of songs and then deleted them all because I found them so annoying.. I'm not wasting space on my computer for nonsense like that! Sorry Kelis! Thank goodness her husband is still churning out good material..

The ad campaign, created by the Uniworld Group-Detroit, will kick off at Kelis’ Dec. 18 celebrity holiday party at New York’s Capitale nightclub and include radio, TV, and print advertising. Ford will give partygoers a glimpse of the campaign.

The radio spot features a song that Kelis (pronounced “Kuh-Leese”) wrote specifically for the campaign entitled “Push it to the Edge” that will begin airing on Dec. 20. The radio spot features a cameo introduction of Kelis and her song from Ford spokesperson and hip-hop DJ Funkmaster Flex. The spot will run on national syndicated radio shows like The Steve Harvey Morning and The Tom Joyner Morning Show. Kelis is also scheduled to participate in various Edge sweepstakes giveaways on the radio shows beginning in February.

The television commercial, entitled “On the Edge,” will feature Kelis and the “Push it to the Edge” track. It will begin airing in late December on major network stations throughout the country.

The print ad campaign for the Ford Edge Kelis campaign, entitled "Shattered," will run in major urban publications such as Jet, Ebony, Upscale and Sister2Sister magazine.

The Kelis campaign also includes special appearances and event tie-ins in key markets.

"This is the first time that we have linked up with an African American celebrity that has been fully integrated into launching a vehicle," says Marc Perry, multicultural marketing manager for the Ford brand. "It just creates added excitement around the vehicle."

The Kelis Edge campaign is primarily targeted at women who fit a personality that Ford marketing officials defines as "Mia," women in their mid-thirties who live an active lifestyle. The automaker expects the campaign to also generate a buzz with men.

To promote the campaign, Kelis is scheduled to make an appearance at the 2007 Detroit auto show for a media day and the show's Charity Preview on January 12.

The Kelis "Push it to the Edge" campaign will also be an integral part of Ford's new urban web site, http://www.fordurban.com,/ that will be launched at the end of December. The site is designed to attract and engage urban buyers with creative video content, third-party reviews, customer discussion rooms and downloadable music, say Ford officials.

The web site will begin with a targeted focus toward Edge buyers and eventually extend to the entire Ford brand line up of car, trucks, SUVs and crossovers. Ford Edge banner ads starring Kelis will also be prevalent on major online portals like AOL - Black Voices and Black Planet.

The Edge, a critical product to Ford's turnaround plan, started being shipped to dealerships Dec. 7 after a delay due to production issues.

SOURCE: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage?ws=uf

And....

What the hell is up with Donald Trump's three minute tirade about Rosie O'Donnell?! (http://www.accesshollywood.com/news/ah3204.shtml)How many times did he call her unattractive? That's not cool at all. With all the money he's got, you'd think he'd invest in a mirror to look at himself! He's not fine by any means. Just because you have money and can purchase trophy wives does NOT make you hot! Don't hate on Rosie. She's a good person with a great heart. The View has had its highest ratings EVER since she joined this past September. She's got a steady following of fans who will support her unconditionally. Apparently she's posted a response to Donald's tirade on her blog, but because there is so much traffic to the site, I can't see what she said..

DON'T HATE DONALD!

Real Flava

2006-12-21T01:28:00.000-06:00

Thank you Stephie for sending me the new Mos and Bilal joints! I love them! Ahhh.. REAL music.. sweet sounds coming out of my speakers.. I'm jamming man..

Have a safe trip to San Jose and have a very Merry Christmas :)

*Long live Puff N' Stuff ;) ---- no, I'm not talking about weed! I'm talking about a convenience store that is by our houses in Mississauga-- where we would frolic to buy She-ra and Jem sticker books and stickers..

Oh how I miss chillin' with you and enjoying Mrs. Fields cookies whilst discussing life :(

Jay--- I hope you got some sleep girlfriend! Remember, when in doubt, block em'!

Well Beyond the Golden Gate Bridge

2006-12-20T16:32:00.000-06:00

I was going through some picture folders that I have on my computer from vacations that Z and I have taken since we've been married.

I thought these particular one's were pretty darn cool. I took them in downtown San Francisco.

San Francisco is an interesting place. A contradiction of sorts.

I had always heard how beautiful it was there (the weather, scenery, houses, etc.) so when I went I never expected to see the things that I did.

We were there for about a week because Z was selected (from work) to participate in a conference being held there by the technology industry (companies and schools participated in a five day seminar where new technological concepts were discussed).

While Z would be attending his seminars, I'd wander around downtown San Francisco and explore the city (I love going to new places and exploring my surroundings).

It was so strange because there are so many tall, fancy, business buildings in-between areas where there are literally hundreds upon hundreds of homeless people.

I was so scared initially because never (in my life) have I seen so many homeless people-- growing up in Mississauga?! Come on!

But I soon realized that many of them were too drugged up to even pay attention to me. I will never forget how I sad I felt when I saw homeless women totally strung out on God knows what, begging their pimps for another hit.

Another thing that struck me was how many homeless people there were with missing limbs, manually pushing their wheelchairs and begging for money. So many of them didn't seem like they were in the right state of mind, for the were yelling and screaming all kinds of things that didn't make sense.

I came back to our hotel and googled "San Francisco + homeless population" and low and behold, I found out that San Francisco has the largest homeless population in the US (many of them being Vietnam veterans, people with mental disabilities and others that have just found themselves in a rut).. Many homeless people flock to San Francisco because of the weather.

After having seen that, I don't think that I could ever live in such a place. I literally get depressed when I see people in such a state. I get mad over the state of the world and how unfair life is for many people.

It amazes me when people go there and just talk about the "post card aspects" of the place, failing to even mention the homeless population.

The funniest thing happened while we were there though. We were walking along the "Fisherman's Wharf" area and out of nowhere, a homeless man (who was dressed like a bush) sprung out right in front of us causing both Z and I to scream loudly. Needless to say everyone around us was laughing their assess off (not to mention the homeless man!). We noticed that he kept doing it over and over again well after he scared us and we caught a little video of him on our digital camera. I think Z yelped louder than I did, which makes the memory even funnier.

Urban Gems..

2006-12-19T17:17:00.000-06:00

Lady Sovereign

I love this girl.. she's so unique and sassy.. I first heard about her about two and half years ago from my cousins in England.. they sent me her songs over msn (along with M.I.A's tracks as well--- another ridiculously talent artist).. I fell in love with her music instantly.. My favourite songs by Lady Sovereign?..... Love Me or Hate Me and Random hands down..

"Love me or hate me, it's still an obsession. Love me or hate me, that is the question. If you love me then thank you! If you hate me then fuck you!"

I love that chorus.. for multiple reasons....

** Nas's album drops today (Hip Hop is Dead).. I've been waiting for this one for a while.. I am a big fan of Nasir Jones.. I have been since I was in the eighth grade and Illmatic came out.. For anyone who is interested in purchasing the Nas album, its on sale at Best Buy and Future Shop for $10.. I adore the video for Hip Hop is Dead.. no video hoes!

Nasty Nas

Its sad really.. there used to be so many choices when it came to buying cds.. I remember being in high school and having to decide which one's to get first, and which one's to save for later..

Now it seems as though there isn't much quality music (new music/albums) to choose from at all.. I'm talking about hip hop/r&b..

Aside from Nas, the only other hip hop album I'm looking forward to is Mos Def's (True Magic).. It hasn't been released in the US yet (which I find extremely retarded because its already out in Canada and I've got to wait until the 29th of this month to get it)..

Mighty Mos

I've got Pete Rock and CL Smooth's "I Got a Love" blaring right now. This song makes me happy. I was in ninth grade when this song came out (I always associate songs/artists/albums to what grade I was in.. I've done this since I was very little).. My memory scares people at times..

2006-12-18T19:36:00.000-06:00

I find today the lives we lead
Are rooted in days gone by
From the past that leads us far from home
No matter how hard we try
I find that we will never heal
The wounds we carry from the past
I find that we can all but learn
To live again at last

--Mat Mannion

Tissue paper required..

2006-12-17T13:03:00.000-06:00

I stayed up late last night and finished A Walk to Remember. I really didn't expect it to induce so much emotion. Its not a hard read by any means, but Nicholas Sparks certainly has a way of telling a love story--- not one of those sappy love stories that have you rolling your eyes, but a true, unconditional love story that leaves you feeling both warm hearted and thoroughly depressed afterwards.

I'm tempted to rent the DVD version (with Mandy Moore) just to see if the movie did justice to the book.. but something is holding me back.. I hate watching a bad movie.. it really annoys me..

Z and I rented Talladega Nights on Friday night because we're big fans of Sacha Baron Cohen and we thought the movie would be funny.. with the exceptions of a few scenes, we both thought that the movie was very stupid.. I don't know, maybe our sense of humour is different.. We got annoyed and turned it off before it ended.. I hate sitting there, waiting for a movie to "get better"..

So we ended up watching my "I am Sam" DVD instead.. I can't get enough of that movie.. It is a true masterpiece.. Z hadn't seen it before and he really loved it as well.. Sean Penn's role as Sam is mesmerizing. He really should have won an award for his work in this film.. :( Dakota Fanning has me crying every time I watch this movie. I don't know how she did it. She was only six when she made this movie, yet she nails every scene that she is in. I think that people like Paris Hilton and Ms. Spears should look up to Dakota because she possess so much more poise and maturity than they do..

Skin colour: A shady issue?

2006-12-17T00:19:00.000-06:00

Skin colour: A shady issue?--- written by Ali Zafar

Who knew skin colour would spark spasms of abrupt anger between grandmother and granddaughter - a rift so deep leaving no hope of a truce between the two. Amama Chowdhury, 22, was born a healthy baby, weighing in at 10 pounds.

But her skin colour, apparently, just wasn't right.

"I was very dark when I was born and my dadi (grandmother from dad's side) got very upset. She said I was too dark. I feel bad, even now. I don't respect her - I used to get in fights with her all the time because she talks about this bullshit, about how I should have been lighter."

Skin colour is a shady issue in South Asia and in South Asian diasporas. The fairer is better ideology is promoted everywhere, through India's largest film industry - Bollywood, through culture and even religion it seems has a part in promoting it. Being "fair" is associated with being "lovely," and large bleach cream industries - such as Fair and Lovely - have blossomed due to the stigma of being dark.

The by-product of this stigma, often small tubes of bleach creams marketed in fancy packages depicting fair skinned women, are found in South Asian grocery stores; many of which are located in Toronto's Gerrard India Bazaar.

From B.J Supermarket to Brother's Halal Meat & Groceries, just about every grocer in the Bazaar holds Fair & Lovely along with Stillman's another popular bleach cream - unless they're sold out - as was the case in Friendly Supermarket. But bleach creams aren't only found on shelves in South Asian grocery stores. At Kashmir Beauty Salon they're incorporated in "fairness facials."

Soniya Soni, a cosmetologist at Kashmir Beauty Salon in Malton, does "fairness facials" on customers, usually South Asian females. Soni uses hot towels to steam the face. Once the skin is tender, blackheads are cleared out and she washes the face. Finally, Soni lathers the face with bleach cream for 15 to 20 minutes.

Originally from India, Soni doesn't think the use of bleach creams is a big deal. "When you go out in the sun - especially in India - you get tanned, and if your face looks black then you bleach it to make yourself look lighter," says Soni casually, adding it's just another way of making yourself feel pretty. She says "the use of fairness creams is big and Fair and Lovely is very popular in India."

Fair and Lovely is marketed by Hindustan Lever Limited - headquartered in Mumbai, India - and has made millions in profits by exporting worldwide. It's composed of sunscreens and Vitamin B3, which controls how much melanin is created in the skin - with dark-skinned people having more melanin than light-skinned people. According to its website, Fair and Lovely takes a period of six weeks to make the skin fairer and the process is harmless and reversible. But Chowdhury is not one of the company's customers."

I don't want to make myself different - I want to be the way I am, I want to be natural." It's been five years since Chowdhury moved to Toronto, but she still has vivid memories of back home. "In Bangladesh, just about everybody uses Fair and Lovely. There was an ad on TV where they would show how a tanned hand becomes fair with the use of Fair and Lovely."Chowdhury says the use of bleach creams by South Asian girls is all about appeal. "They want to attract guys; it's all about looking sexy. I think people talk about you when you're dark, saying things like you're not pretty." Or worse. "Sometimes for South Asian girls, you can't get married if you're dark because when the guy comes over to see the girl, the guy's family is discouraged by the dark girl."

Vanita Mahal, a Cosmetics Manager at Shoppers Drugmart says being dark is taboo in South Asian communities. Originally from north India, Mahal has been living in Toronto for more than 10 years. "Every girl wants to look pretty, no one wants to look dark because there's this myth in South Asia where light is beautiful," says Mahal.

She was once an avid user of bleach creams. From grade 10 to second-year university, Mahal lathered on the creams, primarily to blend the thin facial hair with the skin. "My older sisters used them back in India, so I started using them. It's stupid, skin colour doesn't really matter because every girl is unique - every girl is pretty in her own way. I used to use them but I realized afterward that I don't need them because I'm pretty the way I am," says Mahal.

As a cosmetic manager, Mahal says she sees many South Asian women wanting to look lighter. "It's crazy, dark women come up to me and ask for the lightest foundation," says Mahal.But why the craze with wanting to look fair?Professor of South Asian Studies at York University, Hira Singh, says the ideology of fairer is better was partly promoted by colonialism in the Indian sub-continent. "It didn't originate with colonialism but colonialism did contribute to it," says Professor Singh.

Even though the British didn't favour people due to colour, white people being there and dominating - it did make whiteness a privilege, promoting being fairer as better."But he says this ideology goes back even further to the caste system - which existed 2000 years before India was colonized. The system equates light skin with a more revered caste. Members of the highest caste - Brahmin, who are usually priests - are suppose to be lighter and people of the lowest caste - Shudra or poor labourers - are comparatively darker, says professor Singh.

The caste system isn't alone in promoting the fairer is better ideology; religion has a part in it as well. "Most of the popular Hindu Gods are fair, Ram, his wife Sita, Khrisna and even Shiva - he's samvla - which is like a Mediterranean skin colour," says Professor Singh.But Chowdhury - who's a Muslim - says it has a lot to do with culture. "You have to be fair to be pretty - that's the main problem - I don't know what's wrong with these people."

One of the major influences on Indian culture is Bollywood. This word conjures up images of lovers dancing on top of Swiss mountains or playing pee-ka-boo behind trees. It's a Hindi language film industry based in Mumbai - very popular amongst South Asians.Some actors from Bollywood have made it out in the West - one of the biggest being Aishwarya Rai - whose L'Oreal advertisements were seen high above Toronto's Eaton Centre - until recently when a windstorm brought them down. Rai was crowned Miss World 1994 and has featured in many Bollywood movies, from Taal to one of the heavy-hitters of Bollywood - Devdas. She's light skinned, has greenish eyes and there are many other actresses in Bollywood like her - Kareena Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Manisha Koirala, Juhi Chawla, the list goes on.

Of course there are few dark-skinned actresses in Bollywood - such as Bipasha Basu, but it seems for every Basu there are many Rais out there. Even Indian songs - such as Gori Hain Kaliyaan (your arms are white) or Gori Tera Gaon Bada Pyra (white girl your town is pretty) - illustrate how a girl is fair, never how she's dark.Though dark skin colour caused Chowdhury to endure an upsetting relationship with her grandmother, her older sister is suffering a fate considered by many South Asians to be much worse - not being able to find a husband. "My sister has dark skin so when guys interested in ristas [marriage proposals] come in, they don't like the way she looks. My sister never uses Fair and Lovely because she doesn't want to change herself for all those guys."

This April, my dad is taking my sister to Bangladesh - looking for a guy who will marry her for who she is. She's 29 and she gets frustrated because she can't find a husband due to her skin colour," says Chowdhury. And she's not alone. Professor Singh says in his local village of Mahuari, India, many women can't find husbands."If you got a dark daughter and you're not very rich, you're not going to find the right husband - the right husband is light. I grew up in a small village in India and this was always a problem - that a girl couldn't get married because she was too dark," says Professor Singh.For Chowdhury the fairer is better ideology is never going to end. "I was born in 1984, and one of my baby cousins was born two years ago, and people say she's very dark, so even now this is going on, it won't stop. This sort of thinking passes from generation to generation."Even when we get to 2010, it's going to go on and on, it won't stop."

This is an issue that I have debated over for years now. I have literally gotten into yelling matches and have had to leave rooms because I feel that people can be SO ignorant when it comes to skin colour. I've heard comments such as "oh, so and so would be more attractive if she wasn't so dark", and "oh, thank God our baby is so fair skinned"... what the hell is wrong with people?

I think that every country that was ever under the British rule has skin colour complexes.. from my own experiences, I find that South Asians are the most blunt about how they feel about "darker skinned" people. I could be wrong... I'm simply talking about the people that I have been exposed to.. God knows I've heard some really horrible things from customers, random people in the mall having conversations.. even people that I went to school with..

I have actually known girls that have gone back to India to get their skin lightened. One of them came back with severe burns on her face because the salon that she went to used chemicals that aren't supposed to be used on the epidermis at all. Her mother was the one that suggested that she get this procedure done because if she didn't no one would want to marry her. Great parenting skills there!

I don't understand why people go to such lengths to be accepted by such an ignorant society. Its quite unfortunate that people are judged based on their skin tone.. visit any South Asian matrimonial site (they are quite amusing) and you will see that many people write things in their profiles such as "very fair, fair, wheat coloured (what the hell is that?), medium" and so on.. Too bad your skin tone can't guarantee a successful marriage..

LOL!

2006-12-16T16:07:00.000-06:00

"....gayly they ring,
songs of good cheer,your husband's queer.
Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas....."

Warm wishes from Star and Al.

A Declaration of Independence

2006-12-16T14:42:00.000-06:00

An excellent author (Desirable Daughters, Jasmine, Holder of the World, The Tree Bride, Wife,-- all part of my extensive book collection) who has taken steps to break the "traditional role" for Indian women from her generation. I wish that more South Asian women would realize that they do indeed have power and that they can utilize it whenever they desire.

I think the most valuable piece of advice that I have ever been given was from my cousin Naela. She told me several years ago that "people will only have as much power over you as you give them".. that was truly an epiphany for me...

AHA! MOMENTA Declaration of Independence

She'd lived her entire childhood by the rules. Then, one day, Bharati Mukherjee slid into the driver's seat.

As a bookish child in Calcutta, I used to thrill to the adventures of bad girls whose pursuit of happiness swept them outside the bounds of social decency. Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Emma Bovary and Anna Karenina lived large in my imagination. The naughty girls of Hollywood films flirted and knew how to drive. These reckless women felt more real to me than the unselfish relatives I was expected to emulate. Growing up in an old-fashioned Bengali Hindu family and going to a convent school run by stern Irish nuns, I was brought up to revere rules. Without rules, there was only anarchy.

My mother's rules had to do with feminine deportment, so I never played hard enough to break a toy or muddy my dress. My father's rules had to do with never shaming the family by even a hint of scandal, and not providing business rivals with an opportunity to kidnap me or throw acid in my face. (There are real consequences to disobedience.) Good behavior meant not falling in love until my father found the right bridegroom and never protesting his decrees. Kidnap-proofing meant never traveling to and from school in a car without a driver, two armed guards and my watchful mother.

Not, not, not. Never, never, never.

One day, as I was being driven home from the university, our driver asked me—I'll never know why—if I wanted to learn to drive. To be a young woman in India in the 1950s and to drive a car was to be Anna and Emma—even Doris Day. I slipped behind the Rover's steering wheel. Within seconds, we were edging toward a ring of squatters. The car kept drifting; I screamed; the chauffeur shouted and pulled the brake. I didn't hit anyone, but for the first time I found myself in a situation that my entire upbringing had aimed to prevent. In India, there are real consequences to inattention; drivers who jeopardize pedestrians can be lynched on the spot. I scrambled for the backseat. The chauffeur bundled one wailing squatter into the car and sped home. My father took charge. Presumably, a few—maybe many—rupees changed hands. The driver was reprimanded and shortly thereafter sent back to Calcutta. I never admitted my misdeed.

In the events of that day lies the germ of a destiny far less certain than my father had intended. Acting on instinct, I had challenged my upbringing. I'd seen the last demonstration of his protective power. I might have failed my first unchaperoned probing of the adult world, but within a year, my sisters and I would be living on our own in America, a place he'd never seen. We would all make love matches, defying his choice of suitable grooms. The transgression was small, unconfessed and unforgiven. My long-suppressed inner bad girl had spoken. "Drive," she said. "Take a risk, be cunning, lie." She might even have said: "Write." Bharati Mukherjee's sixth novel, Desirable Daughters, was published in the spring by Hyperion.

Currently reading "A Walk to Remember" by Nicholas Sparks. I read some good reviews about it and decided to buy it off of amazon (for $0.01).. can't go wrong with that price. Shipping cost more than the book itself. God knows how many books I've purchased from amazon... not to mention dvds and cds.. they should have a customer rewards program or something..

And that's just one of the book shelves!.. I don't think Z knew what he was getting into when he married me... soon our house will be taken over by books and he won't know what hit him..

I saved the BEST for LAST!!!.. Yeay for Oprah!!

Winfrey, ABC working on 2 reality shows

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oprah Winfrey is expanding her media reach into reality television. Her production company is working on two prime-time series for ABC, tentatively titled Oprah Winfrey's The Big Give and Your Money or Your Life, ABC and Harpo Productions announced Friday.

The deal, which marks Winfrey's entrance into series TV, comes about three months after Harpo formed a new television development group for alternative shows, Tim Bennett, the company's president, said in a statement.

The Big Give provides money and other resources to 10 people and challenges them to help others in a way that tests the players' ingenuity and passion, according to the companies. The winner gets to realize their "wildest" dream.

Your Money or Your Life, which is in development, features families who are confronted by a crisis and must change or risk being "consumed by disaster," according to the joint ABC-Harpo release.

Winfrey's move into series TV is "monumental," ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson said in the release. The show's focus on "wish fulfillment and making lives better," he said.

Besides daytime TV's The Oprah Winfrey Show, Harpo produces TV projects and operates the website oprah.com. Harpo Print LLC co-publishes O, Winfrey's monthly magazine, while Harpo Films produces feature films and TV movies.

Josie is my hero!

2006-12-15T13:46:00.000-06:00

I just finished reading this book today (Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta). I literally fell in love with this book. It's hard to describe. It has been a very long time since a book has made me laugh out loud, cry and shake my head in agreement all in one sitting. I feel that as a "minority", I can relate to many of the feelings that the main character (Josie) experiences. It is very hard at times (especially when you are in the midst of "growing up and finding yourself") not to fall prey to societal pressure-- when you come from a background with rich traditions and cultural expectations, its as if you have to not only fit into the society that you were born and raised in, but you have to adhere to the "norms" from your background as well.

It is hard to find a balance sometimes. But from my own experience I have learned that you have to carve out a path that is best for you, as an individual. Following every tradition that your family in the "old country" followed before you were born is next to impossible to do and shouldn't be expected of children that are born and raised in North America.

Thankfully, my parents were exceptional when it came to understanding who I was as an individual. They were the first one's to tell me not to care what anyone thought of me and to do what I felt was right for my own life. I lucked out because there are numerous parents who simply do not possess a sense of understanding towards their children and how hard it is to grow up with the pressure to fit into not just one society, but two.

So many parents lug around their cultural baggage for years and believe that because they didn't get to fulfill their dreams due to their parents expectations, that they too should put their children through the same destructive cycle. I thank God that my parents never thought this way.

As I grew older and realized more about the world around me and what I liked/disliked, my parents grew with me. Our relationship has grown stronger and I love them even more than I ever imagined possible.

This book has made me thankful for the decisions that I have made in my life. It has made me realize that many people (from all different backgrounds and religions) share many of the same experiences when they come from immigrant families.

I loved how Josie learned so much about herself and her family members. After finishing this book, I felt as though I knew her mother, her "Nonna" and her father.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is willing to read it, for it is simply phenomenal.

Thank you to Stella for exposing me to this fine piece of literature. You have great taste in books!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Seventeen-year-old Josephine Alibrandi is no stranger to conflict. If she's not caught between her strict single mom and her even stricter grandmother, then she's trying to choose between wealthy good boy John Barton and working-class bad boy Joseph Coote. Josephine is always in trouble with the nuns at her Catholic school (who everyone calls "penguins because of them wearing wimples and all that Sound of Music gear") because she fights with native Australian kids over her mixed Australian/Italian heritage. Just when she thinks her situation couldn't possibly get more complicated, her mysterious, long-lost biological father comes back and Josephine must decide if it's worth getting to know this person who abandoned her and her mother. But through it all--including a startling revelation from her grandmother and the suicide of a close friend--Josephine manages to hold on to her sense of humor, as in this reflective moment: "I could have been a model for Hot Pants. Except that when I finally put my glasses on, reality set in. Hot Pants would have to wait."

Award-winning Australian author Melina Marchetta has created a strong and sassy role model in Josephine, whom girls with growing pains on both sides of the Pacific will love. Although this involving novel is set in the author's native Australia, American readers will feel right at home, thanks to the charismatic, outspoken narrator, 17-year-old Josephine Alibrandi. A scholarship student at a tony Catholic girls' school, Josie is aware that she is different from her affluent "Aussie" classmates: she's illegitimate, and she's closely tied to her Italian immigrant community. She feels periodically rebellious against her classmates' snobbishness, against the nuns' authority at school, against her community's mores. Even so, Josie clearly regards the women in her life, her single mother, her grandmother and even some of the nuns with affection as well as exasperation. Josie has less experience dealing with guys until senior year, when three members of the opposite sex complicate her world. Her father, who has not previously known of her existence, arrives on the scene unexpectedly, and she can't help feeling drawn to him. She also becomes involved with two boys her own age: the upper-class but desperately unhappy John Barton and the wilder, iconoclastic Jacob Coote. The casting or plot may sound cliched, but the characterizations are unusually insightful and persuasive. In articulate, passionate prose, Marchetta weaves the intricate web of Josephine's relationships, juxtaposing her revelations about her family history against current crises. If the author loses momentum at the end, straining for tidy closure, she does, simultaneously, leave open new doorways for her heroine.

Frankie, you were truly outrageous!

2006-12-14T16:40:00.000-06:00

I had a very random memory this morning upon waking up from my sweet slumber. I recalled being in grade 2 and spending lunch recess with my friend Frankie. Frankie was hopelessly intrigued by cartoons such as Jem and She-ra (as was I-- but I'm a girl, so that's expected.. or should I say "accepted").. It was odd really.. girls could watch cartoons such as He-man and G.I. Joe (which I watched religiously as well) and no one would make fun of them. But as soon as a boy admitted to watching "girly" cartoons, he was immediately an outcast. Stupid rules!

I loved Frankie's company. He was so much fun to hang out with. We would spend our recesses with his Fisher Price radio and his homemade Jem tapes, dancing our hearts out. Frankie would always tape every song (by placing his radio against the tv speaker and recording) each song that was ever featured on Jem. He would then bring it to school so we could dance and sing to each song.

We even had the same Jem colouring books, which we would also bring along with us to our lunch time Jem marathon. Every episode that aired of Jem was discussed by the both of us in great length. We were SO excited when "Glitter and Gold Jem" came out. I think it was the highlight of grade two for the both of us!

I wonder where Frankie is now. We were friends until middle school and then went our separate ways because we went to different high schools.

I wonder if he remembers me as fondly as I remember him. He was really a good friend to me. He never once hesitated or thought twice about lending me his Jem tapes or toys.

I remember once I borrowed his Rhythm Nation tape (Janet Jackson) and it broke in my radio. I tried so hard to take it out without further damaging it, but my efforts were in vain. I went to school the next day crying, fearing the Frankie would no longer be my friend and that he would get his older brother's to beat me up. Much to my surprise Frankie wasn't upset at all. He said that he understood that such things happen and that he had played that tape a lot, so maybe that was the reason why it broke. When I tried to give him money to cover the cost of the tape, he wouldn't have it. He was adamant in saying that such things happen and for me not to worry about it. How nice was that?

Sigh... such good memories.....

I really hope wherever Frankie is, that he's doing well and enjoying life-- and that he hasn't changed..

NKOTB 4EVER!

2006-12-11T14:21:00.000-06:00

Why is Nicole Richie's DUI charge "Breaking News"?... I don't think I will ever understand the celebrity world.. poor girl though.. I do feel bad for her.. I like Nicole Richie.. I know that she's going through some things, but I think she's very funny and pretty (I know, I know.. she needs to gain weight.. 85 pounds.. I know.. its bad).. but still.. I like her.. I always watch The Simple Life re-runs because of her.. I hope that she can somehow resume a "normal" life.. whatever "normal" is in Hollywood these days..

So, according to the latest edition of Ebony magazine, Halle Berry is coming out with an album.. seriously?! The album will apparently be dropping in February some time.. I just hope that it is somewhat good.. I couldn't see myself buying it though.. I tried to see if any songs have leaked on to the net yet, but no such luck..

Now on to some "Tiger Beat" memories.....

Let me tell you that this past weekend was a total New Kids on the Block throw back weekend.. yes.. you have read correctly.. I am not afraid to admit that I love the New Kids.. I watched every video that was available on youtube (if you're a fan, check out their 1991 American Music Awards performance of the song "Games"-- its pretty dope--- J-lo is one of the back up dancers for them.. how crazy is that?!)

If I had to choose my all-time favourite song by them, I would have to say "Step by Step"... hearing that song brings back so many memories from 5th grade. I was obsessed with NKOTB. My friends and I would say things like "I want to have boys when I grow up because I want to name them Jordan and Donnie".. yeah.. good times..

Hummm.. I'm wondering who could hit a higher note.. Jordan Knight or Justin Timberlake..

What I would have done to go to a NKOTB concert back in the day.. I remember several people from my 4th grade class went.. and they had amazing seats too (second and third row).. I was so jealous.. The same people got to go to the Janet Jackson concert that year (1990).. ugh.. those kids do not realize how lucky they were.. spoiled brats..

Of cold weather and movies...

2006-12-05T12:58:00.000-06:00

The snow has ceased.. but it is extremely cold.. the heating is still on and I am still wearing layers of clothes.. something that Ms.Spears is apparently refraining from doing.. what's up with the lack of panties? That's just nasty!

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of "Dreamgirls".. its been getting so much hype for the past several months.. I really hope that it is indeed as good as it claims to be.. nothing worse than wasting money on a movie ticket and being bored out of your mind throughout the duration of a movie..

That happened to Z and I during Miami Vice.. God, that was torture.. it was such a HORRIBLE movie.. ugh... I'm trying to decide which one was worse... Miami Vice or Lady in the Water..

I saw Babel again for the second time over the weekend. I had seen it during my visit to Mississauga, but Z was unable to see it.. so I went again with him during the weekend.. I thought that it was very, very well done and the acting was impeccable.. I could have done without a few certain scenes involving the Japanese girl, but hey, we can't always get what we want...

The season finale of America's Next Top Model is on tomorrow.. I really don't care for the final three all that much.. My top pick was Anchal, but alas, due to her self-esteem issues she was eliminated several weeks ago. All I know is that I do not, by any means want Melrose to win. She annoys me greatly.

SNOW?!

2006-11-30T13:02:00.000-06:00

Poor Kitty.. I'm confused too!

It is snowing.... I am in Dallas, Texas and there is snow flying around outside.. our house is freezing, despite the fact that the heater is on.. our windows are not equipped for such cold weather because.. well.. because its TEXAS damn it! I am freezing.. I have three shirts on, thermal socks and a blanket around me....

The roads are horrible.. they don't put salt on the roads like they do in Toronto (because they don't expect shit like this to happen!).. so you know what they use instead?.... sand... there are trucks driving around dumping sand everywhere...

My friends are laughing at me because I was happily taunting them saying that I would never have to endure another winter.. me and my big mouth..

As you can probably tell.. I don't fancy cold weather.. especially when I am not expecting it! At least in Toronto, you KNOW it get's cold, and that there is a winter.. but here in Dallas, this isn't the norm by any means.. Just the other day it was 80 degrees and the air conditioning was on! I don't like any kind of extreme weather.. extreme weather bites!

DAMN YOU GLOBAL WARMING! YOU SUCK!

Back in Dallas

2006-11-22T14:39:00.000-06:00

Airport Woes

It's been a while since I last posted. I didn't have much time to sit down and write out my thoughts while I was in Mississauga. But it sure was great to be back and spend time with my amazing family and lovely friends.

While I was waiting at the airport on Monday afternoon (to come back to Dallas), there was a woman (who was probably the same age as myself--- 26) who had two small children. One was a cute little baby girl with big, round eyes and chubby cheeks and the other was a two and half year old boy who was bursting with energy.

At first I felt bad for the mother because she seemed to be having a very hard time managing two small children by herself, so I started to play with her son and keep him occupied while she took care of the baby girl.

Much to my dismay the kids stunk like cigarettes and both of them had bruises on their faces. I really adore children, so to see little one's with such prominent bruises on their faces really bothered me. The mother didn't seem like the nurturing type. She seemed quite annoyed at the hand that she had been dealt. I always say that not all people are meant to have children. She illustrated my point perfectly.

Every time her son wanted her attention, she ignored him and he would then throw a tantrum by laying down in front of her and crying loudly. You know what she would do to him? She'd man handle him by lifting him up by one arm and dragged him around like a rag doll. She even kicked him a few times. She kicked her two and a half year old son.

I kept telling her son to come over and sit with me and I'd try to keep his attention as long as I could. At one point, we flipped through every page of the "Allure" magazine that I bought (twice). He'd point to everything on the page and say "what's that?" I was quite impressed by the fact that he knew so many words and colours.

But really, how long can you keep a child's attention with a magazine? I tried pulling things out of my purse to amuse him so that he wouldn't throw tantrums (which would result in him getting physically hurt), but it was obvious that he really wanted his mother's attention.

I realized something extremely important that day-- that children, (especially young children) NEED their mother's attention. It's a simple realization really, but so many people fail to understand this. Tantrums are usually caused because the children are being ignored. I've seen it happen so many times now.

It's not by any means easy being a mother. Like Oprah has said, being a mother is the hardest and most important job in the world for you are responsible for another person's life. But if you are not ready to assume that responsibility, please, don't bring children into the world and treat them horribly.

I wish I could have done something more to help those children. I tried to get more information from the woman about where she lived in Texas (I thought I could perhaps contact child services), but she mostly complained about her kids and how the plane was taking so long to arrive (which it wasn't)..

Sigh.. God help all of the children that are in such situations..

Pink is the new Blog

2006-11-09T13:06:00.000-06:00

I am getting a kick out of reading this blog:

http://trent.blogspot.com/

Home Sweet Home

2006-11-02T10:40:00.000-06:00

Back in Tdot for twenty days.. I arrived yesterday afternoon and God did it feel good.. its funny how you miss little things when you move away.. the leaves changing colour.. the stores around your home.. your mom's cooking-- which is always prepared with so much love-- at least my mom's is..

I love hugging my parents.. its as if I can feel their love through their hugs.. I didn't think that it was possible to love them more than I already did.. but since moving away, I think that this has happened.. I appreciate every little thing about them.. they have been and still are so very good to me.. I love, love, love, love LOVE my parents..

T.O.-made ad part of online revolution

2006-10-25T01:13:00.000-06:00

A woman is transformed in a Dove Evolution ad by photo software.

Dove clip soars to top of YouTube
Oct. 24, 2006. 02:21 PM
DANA FLAVELLE
BUSINESS REPORTER

A video searing itself into global pop culture atop the YouTube website is a hypnotic take on manufactured beauty created by a Toronto advertising agency.
The 75-second film, showing a pleasant-looking woman being artificially transformed — via makeup, hairstyling and photo-alteration software — was created by Ogilvy & Mather (Toronto) for Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty website.

Janet Kestin, the ad agency's co-chief creative director, said the Dove Evolution clip was posted to the popular YouTube.com video-sharing site almost as an afterthought, after it caught the attention of her head office's formidable public relations team in New York.
Last week the clip was YouTube's most viewed, with more than a million hits and counting, and it captured the attention of several major American TV network talk shows, including Good Morning America.

"It was like the perfect storm in a way," Kestin said. "We couldn't have planned the response that we got."

In the video, featuring a close-up of a blond woman's face, a new hairstyle and makeup quickly make her look glamourous while digital tweaks to her lips, neck and eyes propel her to generic cover-girl looks on a billboard.

The Dove campaign doesn't directly pitch soap but has used women of different shapes and sizes to debunk the precepts of standard beauty.

"Our goal with this film was to create a conversation about what is beauty and invite women to participate in that conversation," said Mark Wakefield, marketing director for Unilever Canada. "The Internet is a great place to do that."

The short film was originally intended for the Dove campaign website. It was Ogilvy's idea to add YouTube to the mix.

The Dove ad isn't the first to appear on YouTube in the 18 months since the site was founded. Burger King has posted ads featuring rap star Sean (P. Diddy) Combs eating a Whopper. And Volkswagen's ad agency uploaded several of its TV spots just to see what would happen.
But it's fresh evidence that advertisers, scrambling to reach a younger audience fleeing TV, are willing to try anything to broaden their reach.

Despite Dove's success, Kestin cautions that YouTube isn't for everyone.
"This was our first time on YouTube. You can't know what's going to capture the larger imagination and what isn't," Kestin said.

"I think advertisers have to be very careful what they throw up there. You can be torn down just as quickly as you're built up."

Others have tried it with unpredictable results.

A story making the rounds in advertising circles involves an experiment by the ad agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky, of New York. It threw some Volkswagen TV ads on YouTube.
Only a handful of people watched them. Then, a user uploaded a grainy version of one of the same spots and 1.7 million people watched it.

"You can't explain this," Jeff Benjamin, a creative director for Crispin Porter, told the New York Times last week. "Someone passed it on to a friend, who passed it to others, until eventually it gets in the right people's hands. You just can't predict what will happen."
Dove's success also raises new questions about how Google will recoup the $1.65 billion (U.S.) it paid two weeks ago for what had been largely an amateur video site. Posting the Dove video on YouTube didn't cost the advertiser a penny.

In fact, Unilever saved tens of thousands of dollars it might have otherwise spent trying to reach a wider audience, says Ogilvy's art director Tim Piper.

A regular YouTube user, Piper simply uploaded the film to his personal site. A second, unrelated person also uploaded it from Dove's website in the U.S. All of the hits since then have come from one of these two original postings, Piper said.

Kestin said that, for advertisers, "It's critical to play in the new world. But it's naïve to assume you can do things the old way in a new medium."

TNS Media Intelligence, of New York says advertisers spent $4.7 billion (U.S.) on the Internet in the first half of this year, while the Interactive Advertising Bureau, a trade group, put the number at twice that amount.

Good Girls Go Bad, for a Day

2006-10-23T15:38:00.000-06:00

Good Girls Go Bad, for a Day--By STEPHANIE ROSENBLOOM

IN her thigh-highs and ruby miniskirt, Little Red Riding Hood does not appear to be en route to her grandmother’s house. And Goldilocks, in a snug bodice and platform heels, gives the impression she has been sleeping in everyone’s bed. There is a witch wearing little more than a Laker Girl uniform, a fairy who appears to shop at Victoria’s Secret and a cowgirl with a skirt the size of a tea towel.

POST-POST-POST-FEMINISM? Halloween is a day to flaunt your inner vixen.

TRICKS Seemingly innocuous characters have a sexy edge in costumes, which evoke male fantasies and reinforce a larger cultural message: younger is hotter.
Anyone who has watched the evolution of women’s Halloween costumes in the last several years will not be surprised that these images — culled from the Web sites of some of the largest Halloween costume retailers — are more strip club than storybook. Or that these and other costumes of questionable taste will be barely covering thousands of women who consider them escapist, harmless fun on Halloween.

“It’s a night when even a nice girl can dress like a dominatrix and still hold her head up the next morning,” said Linda M. Scott, the author of “Fresh Lipstick: Redressing Fashion and Feminism” (Palgrave Macmillan) and a professor of marketing at the University of Oxford in England.

The trend is so pervasive it has been written about by college students in campus newspapers, and Carlos Mencia, the comedian, jokes that Halloween should now be called Dress-Like-a-Whore Day.

But the abundance of risqué costumes that will be shrink-wrapped around legions of women come Oct. 31 prompts a larger question: Why have so many girls grown up to trade in Wonder Woman costumes for little more than Wonderbras?

“Decades after the second wave of the women’s movement, you would expect more of a gender-neutral range of costumes,” said Adie Nelson, the author of “The Pink Dragon Is Female: Halloween Costumes and Gender Markers,” an analysis of 469 children’s costumes and how they reinforce traditional gender messages that was published in The Psychology of Women Quarterly in 2000.

Dr. Nelson, a professor of sociology at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, said the trend toward overtly sexualized costumes actually begins with little girls. “Heroic figures for women or considered icons of femininity are very much anchored in the femme fatale imagery,” she said, adding that those include an assortment of Disney heroines, witches, cocktail waitresses, French maids and an “interchangeable variety of beauty queens.”

While researching “Pink Dragon,” Dr. Nelson found that even costumes for little girls were gendered. Boys got to be computers while the girls were cupcakes. Today, there are bride costumes for little girls but one is hard pressed to find groom costumes for little boys. Additionally, Dr. Nelson said, the girls’ costumes are designed in ways that create the semblance of a bust where there is none. “Once they’re older women it’s just a continuation of that same gender trend,” she said.

Men’s costumes are generally goofy or grotesque ensembles with “Animal House”-inspired names like Atomic Wedgie and Chug-A-Lug Beer Can. And when they dress up as police officers, firefighters and soldiers, they actually look like people in those professions. The same costumes for women are so tight and low-cut they are better suited for popping out of a cake than outlasting an emergency.

Obviously, however, many women see nothing wrong with making Halloween less about Snickers bars and SweeTarts and more about eye candy.
Rebecca Colby, 28, a library clerk in Milwaukee, said the appeal of sexy costumes lies in escaping the workaday, ho-hum dress code.
“I’m not normally going to wear a corset to go out,” said Ms. Colby, who has masqueraded as a Gothic witch with a low-cut bodice, a minidress-wearing bumblebee, a flapper and, this year, most likely, a “vixen pirate.”

“Even though you’re in a costume when you go out to a party in a bar or something, you still want to look cute and sexy and feminine,” she said.
Indeed, many women think that showing off their bodies “is a mark of independence and security and confidence,” said Pat Gill, the interim director of the Institute of Communications Research and a professor of gender and women’s studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

It is a wonder gyms do not have “get in shape for Halloween” specials.
In her book “Dilemmas of Desire: Teenage Girls Talk About Sexuality” (Harvard University Press), Deborah Tolman, the director of the Center for Research on Gender and Sexuality at San Francisco State University and a professor of human sexuality studies there, found that some 30 teenage girls she studied understood being sexy as “being sexy for someone else, not for themselves,” she said.

When the girls were asked what makes them feel sexy, they had difficulty answering, Dr. Tolman said, adding that they heard the question as “What makes you look sexy?”
Many women’s costumes, with their frilly baby-doll dresses and high-heeled Mary Janes, also evoke male Lolita fantasies and reinforce the larger cultural message that younger is hotter.
“It’s not a good long-term strategy for women,” Dr. Tolman said.
But does that mean women should not use Halloween as an excuse to shed a few inhibitions?
“I think it depends on the spirit in which you’re doing it,” Dr. Tolman said. “I’m not going to go and say this is bad for all women.”

Perhaps, say some scholars, it could even be good. Donning one of the many girlish costumes that sexualize classic characters from books, including “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” “Cinderella” and “The Wizard of Oz,” can be campy, female sartorial humor, said Professor Gill. It can be a way to embrace the fictional characters women loved as children while simultaneously taking a swipe at them, she said. “The humor gives you a sense of power and confidence that just being sexy doesn’t,” she said.

Dr. Tolman added that it is possible some women are using Halloween as a “safe space,” a time to play with sexuality. By taking it over the top, she said, they “make fun of this bill of goods that’s being sold to them.”

“Hey, if we can claim Halloween as a safe space to question these images being sold to us, I think that’s a great idea,” Dr. Tolman said.

But it may be only an idea. Or, more fittingly in this case, a fantasy.

“I love to imagine that there’s some real social message, that it’s sort of the female equivalent of doing drag,” Dr. Nelson said. “But I don’t think it’s necessarily so well thought out.”

Tanda Word, 26, a graduate student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, who wrote a satirical article about the trend for The Daily Toreador, agreed. “I think it’s damaging because it’s not just one night a year,” she said. “If it’s all the costume manufacturers make, I think it says something bigger about the culture as a whole.”

Salacious costumes — the most visible reminder that Halloween is no longer the sole domain of children — have been around longer than plastic Grim Reaper scythes. But there has been an emergence of “ultrasexy” costumes in the last couple of years, according to Christa Getz, the purchasing director for BuyCostumes.com, which sells outfits with names like Little Bo “Peep Show” and Miss Foul Play.

“Probably over 90 to 95 percent of our female costumes have a flirty edge to them,” Ms. Getz said, adding that sexy costumes are so popular the company had to break its “sexy” category into three subdivisions this year.

Heather Siegel, the vice president of HalloweenMart.com, said her company’s sexy category is among its most popular. (The two best-selling women’s costumes are a low-cut skin-tight referee uniform and a pinup-girl-inspired prisoner outfit called Jail Bait.)

“Almost everybody gets dressed up really, really sexy for it,” said Carrie Jean Bodner, a senior at Cornell University in Ithaca who wrote about the abundance of skimpy Halloween garb for The Cornell Daily Sun last year. “Even the girls who wouldn’t dream of going to class without their pearls and pullovers.”

Last year Ms. Bodner, 21, dressed up as a sexy pinch-hitter for an imaginary baseball team. This year she and her friends are considering being va-voom Girl Scouts.
Ms. Getz of BuyCostumes.com said far more women are buying revealing costumes than firing off indignant e-mail messages asking, “Why are all of your costumes so sexy?” (though some do).

Still, women may be buying racy outfits because that is all that is available. Ms. Getz said she wished there were more sexy men’s costumes on the market and that the lack of them is but further evidence of the gender double standard. “It’s just not as socially acceptable,” she said, adding that men feel comfortable expressing themselves with Halloween costumes that are “either crude or outrageous or obnoxious.”

Ms. Siegel of HalloweenMart.com said the costume industry is merely mirroring the fashion industry, where women have more variety in their wardrobes. Besides, she said, men are less interested in accessorizing. “They’re happy grabbing a mask and a robe and being done,” she said.

At least they get a robe. Ms. Bodner of Cornell estimated that it will be about 30 degrees in Ithaca on Oct. 31.

“We’re not just risking our dignity here,” she said. “We’re risking frostbite.”

Some Famous Ladies That I Admire...

2006-10-21T20:01:00.000-06:00

Salma Hayek-- Can you believe this woman is 40? Obviously everyone is aware of the fact that she is stunningly gorgeous and a wonderful actress.. But she is also the national spokesperson for Avon's Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program, a million-dollar initiative to raise awareness about this brutal epidemic, which will touch 31 percent of American women during their lifetime. Hayek's also using her voice to change policy: She lobbied the Senate last year to renew the Violence Against Women Act, which allocates funding to train police officers and prosecutors; pay for victims' legal counsel; and study how victims are affected by unemployment, kidnapping, and immigration laws. "We cannot tolerate a world in which one in three women is or will be a victim of domestic violence," Hayek said in her July 2005 testimony before the Judiciary Committee. "One of the dangers with this issue is that most of us say, 'That's not my problem.' In reality, it affects our whole society, because we are all connected." And to top it all off she is the Executive Producer of the new series "Ugly Betty" which I ADORE!

Alicia Keys-- I LOVE this picture of her.. She is one of my absolute favourite artists.. Singer, songwriter, musician, composer, pianist, record producer and active philanthropist (Keep a Child Alive and Frum the Ground up are the charities that she actively works with).. This woman is the type of person that is an exceptional role model for young women and adults alike (sorry Paris.. you will never be as "hot" as Alicia!)...

Sandra Oh-- Canada's own Grey's Anatomy star.. she's got such a good sense of self.. and she always has the best quotes.. "You just don't care about what people think. But it's hard to do because people tell you what they think all the time. It's sort of nuts. We actors, we're a fragile bunch, and yet we need to be strong because 90% of our lives is rejection. You have to figure out what really is important."

Lisa Ling-- After leaving The View in 2002 (probably the BEST decision of her life! She was way too evolved for those women!) Lisa became the host of "National Geographic Explorer". What I admire about her the most is the fact that she is willing to go completely out of her comfort zone in order to show how people around the world are living. She has risked her life time and time again in order to provide valuable information segments to her viewers.

Shakira.. belly dancing goddess.. she is the reason why I am a belly dancing fanatic.. not only is she a phenomenal performer.. she is a philanthropist who wants to ensure the development of her native country Colombia.. Shakira was honored at an United Nations ceremony because she created the Pies Descalzos Foundation, a charity that helps to protect children from violence in Colombia. At the event she said: "Let's not forget that at the end of this day when we all go home, 960 children will have died in Latin America [1]."

Nandita Das-- acclaimed indian actress who is actually SELECTIVE in the roles she chooses to play! I haven't seen this woman dance gaily around a tree and I'm hoping I never have to.. I have so much respect for Nandia for always going against the stupid norms within the Bollywood industry.

Natalie Portman-- Talented beyond words (she knows five languages and she graduated from Harvard!).. not to mention she is a fabulous actress that commands respect in every role that she takes on..

Thandie Newton-- Intelligence (received her education in anthropology at Cambridge University in England) and beauty with a killer accent.. Interestingly enough, her name means "Beloved"and she played the character "Beloved" in Oprah's production of the movie with the same name..

Lisa Bonet-- My favourite Cosby Kid.. sigh.. I wish her and Lenny Kravitz stayed together.. what a beautiful looking couple they made.. I'm so happy that I am able to see Ms. Bonet in both The Cosby Show and A Different World re-runs.. I always wanted to be like her as a child.. I think she is exceptionally beautiful..

Rest in Peace Mark

2006-10-21T18:28:00.000-06:00

Reality Sinks in......

The Mississauga NewsDeath section : 256

WEST, Mark Passed away suddenly in a motor vehicle accident on Tuesday October 17, 2006 at the age of 23.

Loving son of Desmond and brother of Michelle.
Mark will be greatly missed by his brotherly friends John and Adam Wilk and all who knew him.

Friends will be received at THE SIMPLE ALTERNATIVE FUNERAL CENTRE- MISSISSAUGA, 1535 South Gateway Road (Dixie Rd, 2 lights south of Eglinton) 905-602-1580 on Saturday October 21st from 9-11:30am Funeral service will be held in the chapel at 11:30 followed by reception.

Interment at Meadowvale Cemetery..

Very Random List of Favourite Things...

2006-10-21T01:16:00.000-06:00

Past and Present......

Food: Gosh I love food.. I could never be anorexic.. let's see.. I love FLAVA! So really, any kind of food that is loaded with herbs and spices.. indian, pakistani (yes, there is a difference!), west indian, thai, mexican, mediterranean.. I like italian food too.. heck.. I love all kinds of different things.. it all depends on my mood.. I'm just not a steak and potatoes kind of gal (UNLESS the steak is made by my mommy-- because my mom can cook like nobody's business and makes the tastiest steak!)..

Drink: Pretty basic.. water and coffee (just one SMALL cup a day).. sometimes I like herbal tea.. ooh.. and I love my mom's tea (chai.. :) that overpriced Starbucks shit can't compare to my mom's..)..I used to drink a lot of fruit juice, but then started reading the labels and found out that many fruit juices have more sugar than pop! Eek! Perhaps the only time I'll have juice is when I'm on a plane.. because god knows they don't give you any damn snacks anymore! Cheap ass bastards!

Season: Its a toss between fall and spring. I don't like extreme weather at all. I like to be able to wear a hoodie and feel comfortable. I love the colours of the leaves in the fall and I also love to see flowers begin to bloom in spring.

Chocolate: Wow.. here's a tough decision.. there are so many that I like.. Hersey's cookies n' creme, Mars bars, 3 Musketeers, Twix, Turtles, any kind of mint chocolate... I don't fancy dark, dark chocolate very much-- unless it is my ONLY option!

Ice cream: Chocolate chip mint and cookies n' creme

Sport: Basketball-- watching NBA basketball, watching Z's Thursday night basketball league and actually playing basketball myself...

New TV Show: Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy hands down.. I love both.. can't decide between the two.. I'm hooked.. Thank goodness for America Ferrera and Sandra Oh! You go girls!

Subject in School: Anything that didn't involve math! English and Social Sciences were my fav's..

Teacher: Grade 3-- Miss Lawless, Grade 4-- Mr Naik (R.I.P), high school--- Mrs. Wilkins, Mr. Stone, Mr.Judhan (that man was a riot!), Mrs. Powidagco

Childhood Authors: Robert Munsch, Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, Ann M. Martin, Francine Pascal, Carolyn Keene

Poets: Maya Angelou & Rumi

80's cartoons: Jem (all time fav!), Thundercats, She-ra, The New Kids on the Block cartoon (God I loved them), He-man and the Masters of the Universe, Fraggle Rock (not a cartoon, but a children's show nonetheless), Ewoks, My Pet Monster, Beetlejuice, Fat Albert, Punky Brewster, Hulk Hogan's Rockin' Wrestling, Transformers, G.I. Joe, C.O.P.S., Denver the Last Dinosaur, Duck Tales, Garfield and Friends, Ghostbusters, Lady Lovely Locks and the Pixietails, My Little Pony, Police Academy, The Raccoons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Tom and Jerry Show, Voltron, Teen Wolf, Mr. T, Muppet Babies

Childhood crushes-- Jordan Knight from NKOTB, Johnny Depp and Richard Grieco (when they were both on 21 Jump Street), Brian Austin Green (Beverly Hills 90210--- don't ask, I don't know what I was thinking!.. Hey, he was the cool one who was into dancing and hip hop!), Scott Baio (Charles in Charge).. I'm sure there are more.. these are the ones that stand out in my mind..

80's Shows: Diff'rent Strokes, Facts of Life, Who's the Boss, The Cosby Show, A Different World, Webster, Growing Pains, Full House, Family Ties, Charles in Charge, Mr. Belvedere, Perfect Strangers, Head of the Class, Alf, Punky Brewster, My Two Dads, Small Wonder, Night Court, The Golden Girls, 21 Jump Street, The Wonder Years, Knight Rider, Saved by the Bell, Gimmie a Break, DEGRASSI!!!!!! (any form of Degrassi-- I loved them all!-- The Next Generation can never compare to the old school Degrassi..

80's Female Sitcom Stars: Alyssa Milano (Who's the Boss), Kim Fields (Facts of Life),Lisa Bonet (Cosby Show), Soleil Moon Frye (Punky Brewster)

Karma Chameleon Jealous of The Material Girl

2006-10-20T02:21:00.000-06:00

Seriously?..... Why such hate? Jealous because her career has lasted longer than yours?

His comments are a tad harsh (to say the least!)

Boy George slams Madonna on personal level

Boy George has launched a scathing personal attack on Madonna.The former Culture Club singer made his opinions known in a Channel 4 documentary, to be shown in the near future. He said: "Madonna... I just think she's a vile, hideous human being with no redeeming qualities. There's nothing nice about her. I've never heard anyone say anything nice about her at all. And anyone that's ever met her she's been vile to. Vile, full of herself - so unspiritual. How has this woman got away with it for so long?"It is not the first time that Boy George has hit out at the singer. In July of this year, he criticised her career, commenting: "Madonna? After 'Holiday' she should have just shut up."

Today on my Diss List... Jim Jones..

2006-10-20T01:58:00.000-06:00

This man thinks he's hot.. he annoys the hell out of me.. I was flipping channels the other day and happened to see him scouting girls for his most recent video.. he shouted to the candidates "if you bitches ain't got big titties and an ass that I can smack, you can leave the line now, cuz we don't want you here".. I already found this ass wipe to be hella stupid to begin with.. after hearing him open his mouth and say such asinine things, I feel the need to express my sheer annoyance and dislike towards this fool named Jim Jones..

In his opinion, he is the hottest commodity in the hip hop game right now.. I BEG to differ.. to further illustrate my point, I have found the lyrics to his latest song "We Fly High".. read them and you will certainly agree that he is not lyrically inclined by any means.. It seems like any ass off the street can get a record deal these days.. these lyrics are comparable to K-fed's.. (shaking my head.....)

We Fly High by Jim Jones

Chrous (Jim Jones)
We fly high, No Lie ,You know this (BALLIN!)
Foreign rides, outside, its like showbiz (We in the building)
(Girl) We stay fly, No Lie ,You know this (BALLIN!)
Hips and Thighs, Oh my, Stay focus
(Jim Jones)
Ya boy gettin paper (Money), I buy big cars (Foreign)
I need fly rides to drive in my garage (Choose 1)
Stay sky high (Twisted), Fly wit the stars (Twinkle ,Twinkle)
T 4 ? Flights , 80 grand large (BALLIN!)
So we lean with it, pop with it (Bankhead)
'Vertible jones, mean with the top listen (Flossin)
I'm sayin clean with the bottom ?(Do It)
I Hop'd out saggy jeans and my rock glistenin(BALLIN!)
But I spent bout 8 grand Mami on stage doin the rain dance (I think she like me)
She let it hit the floor, made it pop (What Else !?)
Got my pedal to the floor screamin fuck the cops(Do It!)
Chrous (Jim Jones)
We fly high, No Lie ,You know this (BALLIN!)
Foreign rides, outside, its like showbiz
(Girl) We fly high, No Lie ,You know this (BALLIN!)
Hips and Thighs, Oh my,
Stay focus Slow Down,
Tonight may be gone tommorow (One Chance!)
So I speed thu life like theres no tommorow (Speedin!)
100 g's worth of ice on the Auto? (Flossy)
And we in the street life until they call the law(BALLIN!)
I made the whip get naked (What Happen !?)
While I switch gears, Bitch lookin at the bracelet (Got Em)
Step out, show me what your all about Flashbacks of last night of me ballin out (Harlem!)
1 a.m. we was at the club (What Happen !?)
2 a.m. Ten bottles of bub (Money ain't a thing)
And about 3 somethin I was thinkin about grub
So I stumbled to the car, threw the drinks and the drugs (Twisted)
Chrous (Jim Jones) We fly high, No Lie ,You know this (BALLIN!)
Foreign rides, outside, its like showbiz
(Girl) We stay fly, No Lie ,
You know this Hips and Thighs, Oh my, Stay focus
Nigga could you buy that I keep 20 in the pocket (Light Change)
Talk a buck 80 If the bentley is the topic (That grey poupon)
But of course gotta fly ...? (Where?)
To the hood to roll dice on the side of the curb
But I know a G Bent' may sound obsurd (Get Your Money Up)
Drive 80 up Lennox cause I got an urge (Speedin)
The rap game like the crack game Lifestyles, rich and famous livin in the fast lane (BALLIN!)
So when i bleep shorty bleep back Lou Vutton Belt where im keep all the heat strapped I beat the trial over rucker (Lets Do It)
All guns loaded in the back motherfucker (Dipset)
Chrous (Jim Jones)
We fly high, No Lie ,You know this (BALLIN!)
Foreign rides, outside, its like showbiz (We in the building)
2x (Girl) We stay fly, No Lie ,You know this (BALLIN!)
Hips and Thighs, Oh my, Stay focus You niggas need to stay focus
When your dealin with a motherfuckin G
You know my name, Jones, One Eye,
Capo Status Only above motherfucka This Dipset ByrdGang We Born To Fly
Ya'll know the rules fall back or fall back
Someone tell my bitch summer
I'm lookin for her Ya dig,
Another day another dollar Fast life fucker

Random thoughts about the weather and Aaliyah...

2006-10-19T13:44:00.000-06:00

Its a bit cold here today.. (57F).. which is the coldest its been since I moved here.. I've got the heating on (for the first time) and I still feel cold.. global warming is taking over the world! Although I can go outside in a sweatshirt and not feel cold, its cold inside our house.. probably because we had the air conditioning on last night and the cold air is still trapped in our house.. how wack is that? The air conditioning was on last night and today we have the heat on.. crazy..

I haven't heard anything from my friend today.. she said that the funeral service for her brother is being held on Saturday.. details of the funeral will be in the Mississauga News (weekend edition) as well as the Toronto Sun.. I still can't wrap my mind around any of this..

I remember when my favourite R&B singer Aaliyah died in 2001.. I was heartbroken for weeks.. I couldn't understand how someone who was just a year older than me could die.. It just doesn't seem natural for young people to die.. I mean you have all of these dreams and goals as a young adult.. you want to accomplish certain things, eventually get married, possibly start a family.. and then when you're old and grey, that's when you anticipate dying.. not when you're in your early 20's, when you still have your entire life ahead of you..

Many female R&B singers have come and gone, but Aaliyah was something special.. She possessed something majestic that singers like Ashanti, Ciara, Cassie, and all of these other Aaliyah knock offs simply don't have.. I don't think that Ashanti would have been half as popular as she was when she came out had Aaliyah still been alive.. I think that people were looking for some kind of replacement.. too bad Ashanti doesn't possess half the talent that Aaliyah did.. her first album was tolerable.. I even liked a few songs.. but then everything after that was nonsense in my opinion.. I mean how much of "oooh baby" can you really put up with? I have every cd that Aaliyah made (even the soundtrack to Anastasia because she sang "Journey to the Past" for that movie) and I can honestly say that there isn't a song that she sings that is lacking in quality.. she was very consistent with her work and put forth so much effort to ensure the creation of good music.. I'm still trying to understand why she was with Damon Dash though.. that man is unruly.. can't stand him.. he's like the female Kimora Lee Simmons.. all high on himself.. thinking he's the ish.. Aaliyah was like gold compared to him (while he was brass)..

I remember when the video for Back and Forth came out.. I was in awe of Aaliyah.. I was in grade 8 and wanted to be just like her.. I remember going crazy dancing to Back and Forth during our grade 8 graduation.. and taping the video every time it came on just so I could watch her over and over again..

Speaking of the name Aaliyah.. I was reading this article that said that a five year old girl named Aaliyah was held by security at LAX because her name was on security watch list.. ummm.. a five year old? Seriously? They held the entire family for a night because they wanted to ensure that the security checks were done properly.. I'm just sitting here shaking my head.. How are you going to hold up a five year old? God knows how many people are named Aaliyah.. I wonder if they detain all of them...?

Mind wandering.....

2006-10-18T11:32:00.000-06:00

I'm still feeling down about the death of my friend's brother. Although I have experienced many, many deaths during the duration of my life, this one feels different. I guess because he was so young. It just seems so unnatural for parents to bury their children. My friend and her father went to make funeral arrangements and I cannot imagine what that must have been like. Having to pick out a casket and so on.. just thinking about it makes me queasy. I spent the bulk of yesterday just staring out the window thinking about my friend and what she must be going through. The words "my brother died" kept replaying through my head over and over.

I called my parents and told them and they were shocked to hear what had happened. I think any parent would be. They called me in the evening and told me that they too had spent most of the day thinking about what had happened. I have a younger brother as well (he's 22). So I know my parents were thinking about how hard it would be if something like that happened to my brother. There's just the two of us. Him and I. Just like it was just my friend and her brother. And now she's alone, with no siblings. God, that must be hard.

If I'm feeling this way, I cannot even begin to imagine how my friend is feeling. I doubt she went to sleep. I haven't spoken to her today. I know she's probably receiving a lot of phone calls and having to repeat herself over and over again. Through my own and my parents experience, I have come to realize that it isn't always a good thing to constantly call and check up on people when someone dies. It becomes very hard to repeat yourself over and over again. It's as though you are reliving the situation all over again when you repeat yourself to someone new that calls. I remember when my grandmother died and people were calling the house, my mom at one point told me to tell people that she was sleeping, because she just couldn't repeat herself anymore. It felt draining.

Some things are beyond comprehension..

2006-10-17T12:42:00.000-06:00

Heavy Heart....

My heart feels so heavy today. I found out that one of my very close friends' brother passed away this morning. He was only 23. He was killed in a car accident on the highway. My friend called me this morning and was hardly able to speak. I felt so helpless because I'm here in Dallas and physically can't be there for her during her time of need. I didn't know what to say when she told me. What can you say? I'm sorry only goes so far. I've literally just been sitting here thinking about all of this since this morning. I can't really do anything else without thinking about it.

Life is so unfair sometimes. You try to justify things that happen and you just can't come up with valid reasons for why some things turn out the way that they do.

I applaud you Mr.Yunus! Good Job!

2006-10-13T11:15:00.000-06:00

Bangladeshi carpenter Anil Sutradhr, right, works on Nov. 17, 2004, at his backyard shop, which he opened with a loan from the Grameen Bank microcredit project.

Microcredit pioneers win Nobel Peace Prize

OSLO (AP) — Bangladeshi economist Muhammad Yunus and his Grameen Bank won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for their pioneering use of tiny, seemingly insignificant loans — microcredit — to lift millions out of poverty.

Through Yunus's efforts and those of the bank he founded, poor people around the world, especially women, have been able to buy cows, a few chickens or the cellphone they desperately needed to get ahead.

The 65-year-old economist said he would use part of his share of the $1.4 million award money to create a company to make low-cost, high-nutrition food for the poor. The rest would go toward setting up an eye hospital for the poor in Bangladesh, he said. The food company, to be known as Social Business Enterprise, will sell food for a nominal price, he said.

"Lasting peace cannot be achieved unless large population groups find ways in which to break out of poverty," the Nobel Committee said in its citation. "Microcredit is one such means. Development from below also serves to advance democracy and human rights."
Yunus is the first Nobel Prize winner from Bangladesh, a poverty-stricken nation of about 141 million people located on the Bay on Bengal.

"I am so, so happy, it's really a great news for the whole nation," Yunus told The Associated Press shortly after the prize was announced. He was reached by telephone at his home in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka.

Grameen Bank was the first lender to hand out microcredit, giving very small loans to poor Bangladeshis who did not qualify for loans from conventional banks. No collateral is needed and repayment is based on an honor system.

Anyone can qualify for a loan — the average is about $200 — but recipients are put in groups of five. Once two members of the group have borrowed money, the other three must wait for the funds to be repaid before they get a loan.

Grameen, which means rural in the Bengali language, says the method encourages social responsibility. The results are hard to argue with — the bank says it has a 99% repayment rate.
Since Yunus gave out his first loans in 1974, microcredit schemes have spread throughout the developing world and are now considered a key to alleviating poverty and spurring development.

Yunus told The Associated Press in a 2004 interview that his "eureka moment" came while chatting to a shy woman weaving bamboo stools with calloused fingers.
Sufia Begum was a 21-year-old villager and a mother of three when the economics professor met her in 1974 and asked her how much she earned. She replied that she borrowed about five taka (nine cents) from a middleman for the bamboo for each stool.
All but two cents of that went back to the lender.

"I thought to myself, my God, for five takas she has become a slave," Yunus said in the interview.

"I couldn't understand how she could be so poor when she was making such beautiful things," he said.

The following day, he and his students did a survey in the woman's village, Jobra, and discovered that 43 of the villagers owed a total of 856 taka (about $27).
"I couldn't take it anymore. I put the $27 out there and told them they could liberate themselves," he said, and pay him back whenever they could. The idea was to buy their own materials and cut out the middleman.

They all paid him back, day by day, over a year, and his spur-of-the-moment generosity grew into a full-fledged business concept that came to fruition with the founding of Grameen Bank in 1983.

In the years since, the bank says it has lent $5.72 billion to more than 6 million Bangladeshis.
Worldwide, microcredit financing is estimated to have helped some 17 million people.

"Yunus and Grameen Bank have shown that even the poorest of the poor can work to bring about their own development," the Nobel citation said.
Today, the bank claims to have 6.6 million borrowers, 97% of whom are women, and provides services in more than 70,000 villages in Bangladesh. Its model of micro-financing has inspired similar efforts around the world.

The success has allowed Grameen Bank to expand its credit to include housing loans, financing for irrigation and fisheries as well as traditional savings accounts.
One of Yunus' aides, Dipal Barua, said the award was an "honor for millions of poor women who have made this possible."

Ole Danbolt Mjoes, chairman of the Nobel committee that awarded the prize, told The AP that Yunus's efforts have had visible results: "We are saying microcredit is an important contribution that cannot fix everything, but is a big help."
Mjoes said at least three previous prizes have recognized the need to alleviate poverty and hunger.

Those were the 1970 prize to American agriculturalist Norman Borlaug for his program in Mexico to feed the hungry by improving wheat yields; the 1969 award to the Geneva-based International Labor Organization for its efforts to ease poverty; and the 1949 award to Baron John Boyd Orr, as head of the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization who worked to persuade nations to make it a public policy to feed the poor.
The peace prize was the sixth and last Nobel prize announced this year. The others, for physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and economics, were announced in Stockholm, Sweden.

A LOOK AT GRAMEEN BANK
WHAT IS IT: The Grameen Bank hands out microcredit, or very small loans, to the poor of Bangladesh who do not qualify for loans from conventional banks. No collateral is needed and repayment is based on an honor system.

HOW DID IT START: In 1974, Yunus, then an economics professor recently returned from the United States, lent a total of $27 to 42 villagers who made bamboo furniture. The loans, which were all paid back, allowed them to cut out the middlemen and purchase their own raw materials. Emboldened by his experiment, Yunus won government approval in 1983 to open Grameen, Bengali for "rural."

WHO QUALIFIES: Anyone can qualify, but they must belong to a five-member group. Once the first two members begin to pay back their loans, the others can get theirs. While there is no group responsibility for returning the loans, the bank believes it creates a sense of social responsibility, ensuring all members pay pack their loans.

DOES IT WORK: Grameen claims a 99 percent repayment rate. According to a recent Grameen survey, 58 percent of the families of Grameen borrowers have crossed the poverty line.
WHO OWNS THE BANK: The government of Bangladesh owns 6 percent of the bank while the borrowers own the other 94 percent.

WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS: The bank has handed out $ 5.72 billion since its inception to 6.61 million people and been repaid $ 5.07 billion. Women account for 97 percent of the loan takers. Grameen Bank has 2,226 branches, works in 71,371 villages and has a total staff of 18,795.

Tales from the Gym

2006-10-11T15:10:00.000-06:00

of Friends and Fitness Freaks....

The gym has become a second home for Z and I in the evenings... we spend about two hours there almost every night.. If for some reason, we're unable to go, I really feel like my day is incomplete... I feel so rejuvenated when I finish working out.. I leave feeling extremely satisfied- like I have been very good to my body-- it is my temple after all..

There are some interesting people that go to our gym.. some that are extremely annoying in their behaviour and others that are very cool and easy to talk to...

There is this one man that is there every night that wears the TIGHTEST tights (yes, tights--Lycra!!) that I have dubbed him "Nut Huggers".. seriously.. his tights are WAY too tight.. you can see EVERYTHING.. not cool.. I don't want to be using the butterfly press, look straight ahead and see that!.. yuck.. his shirts are equally as tight.. actually, they are more like body suits.... I thought he was gay at first (not that there is anything wrong with being gay-- I just assumed he was because gay men like tight clothes).. but this man isn't gay because he attempts to hit on females while at the gym.. I've seen him getting numbers and so on.. strange.. It looks really funny to me because I don't understand how a woman could be attracted to someone who dresses so oddly.. I'm not exaggerating here.. his workout clothes are a throw back to the 80s.. neon colours, clinging material, etc..

Another male, that I have dubbed "Condom Head" (because he wears an off white scull cap which looks like a condom on his head), is shameless.. he knows that I go into the gym every night with my husband, but he still continues to outright STARE at me as soon as Z leaves to do his own workout.. its highly frustrating because I hate the feeling of someone watching me.. especially if I am doing something like squats or lunges with weights.. last night, he sat on the seat of a stationary bike (not using it mind you) and just stared at me while I used the treadmill.. I was on the treadmill for 70 minutes and he just sat there.. staring.. ugh..

There are some very cool people however, that are very nice to talk to.. we've been talking to this one guy who works at the front desk.. he's very friendly and easy to talk to.. we initially started talking about music and the state of hip hop .. and now we talk about whatever is on our minds at any given time.. I love engaging in meaningful conversation with people... I love hearing what others have to say about present day issues, music, movies and life in general.. he was telling us that he is one of the only cousins in his family that has graduated from high school and that has gone on to college.. actually, he said that most of his cousins are illiterate (even though some of them went to high school-- they still cannot read.. insane isn't it? how you can slip through the cracks like that....) Apparently, most of his uncle's and aunt's were not allowed to study because they had to help their parents in the fields.. their parents though that getting an education was not important when they needed help maintaining the fields.. this mentality continued on in their family to the next generation and that is why most of his cousins are not educated..

I found his story fascinating because ignorant people would assume that his family is simply dumb because they choose to be.. but they don't realize that certain mentalities, when ingrained from one generation to the next, are very hard to remove.. luckily, our friend's parents believed in the idea of education and encouraged him to pursue whatever his heart desires.. Right now, he's interested in acting.. he's got an acting coach that he's working with and that's where most of his salary goes towards.. he said he'd like to finish school, but he cannot afford to right now.. I totally understand that.. I have known many people that are in that position..

He always tells us we (Z and I) have very positive spirits and that we are cool.. I always find compliments like that to mean more than comments like "you're hot" and so on.... Its hard to explain.. I have always believed that people have auras about them and you can tell in a very short amount of time, whether they have a positive aura, or a negative aura.. its just this feeling that one emits that is easy to pick up on..

I was watching Dave Chappelle's Block Party (for the third time) on one of our On Demand movie channels this afternoon.. I LOVE the artists that are in that documentary.. I remember reading about that concert taking place, but I didn't realize that Dave Chappelle spent three million of his own money to make it happen and to capture it all on tape, with the intent of turning it into a movie. Dave Chappelle is hilarious. I think he's hilarious. His taste in music rocks too. I'm still reeling in disbelief over the fact that he got The Fugees to perform. Ah.... The Fugees.. I miss them.. but thank goodness for Cd's.. its moments like this that I praise God for my vast CD collection... below are some pics of the artists that performed at Dave Chappelle's Block Party...(artists that I adore personally!)

Go Russell Go!

2006-10-10T13:50:00.000-06:00

He's Canadian Folks...

Last night Z and I were watching tv and by fluke we changed the channel to the comedy network and saw a comedy special featuring our favourite comic, Russell Peters. You've got to understand that Russell has a special place in my heart because he's from Canada (from Brampton, not too far away from Mississauga--- the city I was born and raised in).. I have literally grown up watching Russell's stand up acts on television and have always admired his talent.. he makes me laugh out loud (and almost fall off the couch sometimes!)... Recently he moved to the U.S. (just like me.. except he moved out to LA and I'm in Dallas) and he's been getting really good feedback from U.S. audiences, which makes me extremely happy for him.. Z and I went to go see him at Majestic Theatre back in May.. Russell put on a great performance (as usual)...

His current dvd "Outsourced" is for sale on amazon. I urge you to support him if its possible.

Here is some more info on my favourite comic..

Russell Peters
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Russell Dominic Peters [1] is a Canadian stand-up comic of British Indian descent and is one of the succesful Indian-Western performers in the entertainment industry such as Anand Bhatt of *Anand Clique, Tony Kanal of No Doubt, and Kim Thayil of Soundgarden. His comedy focuses primarily on his cultural background, but also on cultural and racial stereotypes of all kinds.
Peters began performing in Toronto in 1989 [1] and has performed in the UK, Australia, China, Singapore, Denmark, South Africa, The Caribbean, Vietnam, Malaysia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the United States. He has been nominated for four Gemini Awards,[2] the Canadian television awards. He has also been nominated for Best Male Comic at the Canadian Comedy Awards. Peters has been featured at such shows as Montreal's Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and the Edinburgh Festival. He hosted the Canada Day Comedy Festival 2006.
Peters' comedy focuses largely around his Indian upbringing and racial stereotypes, as he often parodies his parents and South Asian culture. Much of his material explores the cultural divides between many different ethnicities and upbringings in a way that includes many impressions. Russell has also been a DJ since 1985, and is an amateur boxer.[citation needed] Russell's skills as a DJ are shown during the opening to the comedy special Russell Peters: Outsourced. This comedy special also confirms his real name is Russell Dominic Peters.
His most recent comedy special Russell Peters: Outsourced, aired on Comedy Central on August 26, 2006. Outsourced was also made available on DVD and CD in stores on August 29, 2006.
Peters has been critical of the Canadian entertainment industry for not supporting Canadian comics sufficiently and for being overly bureaucratic.

Personal life
He grew up in Brampton, Ontario but now lives in Los Angeles. He was once engaged but is currently single. Russell's father, Eric Peters, died in March 2004 from cancer. He was a firm supporter of his son and was very proud of the success that Russell had achieved at the time of his passing. Russell Peters: Outsourced, in fact, is dedicated to his father. Peters has said that although his act often focuses on his father, much of the material is in fact based on his friends' fathers.
Russell is represented by Creative Artists Agency in the United States and is managed by his brother, Clayton Peters, CPI Management Services Ltd.

Peters yearning to play small clubs
Comic Russell Peters on his new DVD

Sep. 5, 2006. 01:00 AM
RAJU MUDHAR
STAFF REPORTER
With a new DVD on the shelves and another world tour to embark on, Brampton-born comedian Russell Peters should be on top of the world.
But he sounds more like he's feeling the weight of it.

In Canada, he's long been a bright light on the national comedy circuit and, with several of his videos spreading online, his popularity is growing worldwide. Much of his comedy is race- based. Despite his being the great brown hope, all races are fodder for his sly, observational humour.
Since moving to L.A., he's been pursuing TV pilots and movies. Last week, Comedy Central aired his latest comedy special, Outsourced, and the DVD version hit the shelves.
We caught up with him last week. What follows is an edited Q&A.

STAR: What's it like playing a show in Brampton? I'd expect it'd be like return of the conquering hero ...

RP: I don't know, to be honest with you ... I think it was 1996. Ten years ago was the last time that I played in Brampton.

STAR: I hear brown kids quoting your lines. That's gotta be pretty crazy.

RP: Yeah, I get emails from people saying they did a study on me in university. And recently someone said in one of their world geography classes somebody played a clip of me talking about different races and stuff, which is kind of cool, I guess. But since I was never the studious kid, I never expected to become the subject of study.

STAR: So the show just aired. What's the feedback so far?

RP: We got a bunch of new fans, I think. I mean, I don't think it was one of my best performances, but people like it. But I'm my harshest critic. I can spot every single thing that I do wrong.... We recorded in January, so it's been sitting around since then, which is the thing. Subsequently, I kept doing the act, so it got stronger and better because I tweaked it more. Unfortunately, they taped it early in the year, you know, when actually I didn't want to tape it. Again, I got bunged into these things by all the powers that be.

STAR: Like your evil label.

RP: The f--king label. All the agents, managers and everybody who has their hand in your pocket. Do I sound bitter? Yes, I do.

STAR: Just a tiny bit.

RP: Nah, I'm just irritated with the whole process. I can really understand why (Dave) Chappelle ran away ... and I ain't anywhere near his level, so I can only imagine how much worse it gets. When people say why did people stop doing stand-up, like when people say, "Why did Eddie (Murphy) stop doing stand-up?" It's because you've got so many people around you wanting to tour you and not let you build like you used to.
The normal building process for a comic is (to) stop touring. Go in the clubs three or four times a week or as many as you possibly can, and just get onstage and just jam with the audience, you know? But now people want you to tour right away. And it's not like being a musician where you can tour and sing the same songs. People don't want to hear that. A joke is not fresh and new any more. I got no time to build a new act right now. So at the end of the day, everybody else makes their money and I look like an idiot. That's why I'm irritated at the whole thing right now. But what can you do?

STAR: But do you like going on the road?

RP: I love going on the road when I've got something to perform. Right now, I feel like I've got nothing to perform and I don't want to feel like I'm ripping off my fans. I'm doing these big venues, and I'm like, there's no sense in doing these, I don't have big venue material. I should be doing a club tour with club material. That's how you build your new act. But hey, who am I? I'm just the performer. I'm just a dancing monkey.

STAR: Well, you do get to go around the world.

RP: Yeah, it's a great thing to have. I mean it's a fortunate problem, it's not one of those things where I go ``Why me?'' It's one of those things where you know, I just want to make sure I do the best for my fans and I don't feel like I can do that right now, but I'm going to go out and give it my all and see what happens. I think once I go out and go to India and Singapore I should have a lot of new material by then.

STAR: Going back to the motherland should help.

RP: Yeah, that always helps. If you're Indian, you go back to the motherland. It helps you make decisions. If you want to get married, go back to the motherland. If you want to lose weight, go back to the motherland. If you want to gain weight, go to the motherland. It's good for everything.

Clearly not a Globe Trotter!

2006-10-09T15:49:00.000-06:00

Check the map.. THIS is where Bangladesh is...

I just came back from the optometrist and thankfully, I do not have glaucoma! I was worried for about a week at the possibility of going blind in the future! I couldn't imagine.. not being able to see? I don't know what would be worse.. to not be able to see, or not be able to hear.. Poor Helen Keller.. :(

Apparently the size of my optic nerve is two times bigger than the average optic nerve, which makes me "a glaucoma suspect".. thankfully, after conducting many tests, it has been concluded that my optic nerve is just oddly large and my eyes are okay.. wooo hoo! Thank the heavens above.. I got a brand new pair of glasses though (for distance) which I'm very pleased with. Thanks to Z's insurance plan they only cost $37.00! I thought that was a misprint when I first read the total. How can glasses only cost $37.00? I was used to paying at least $150 in the past. Oh well.. I'm not complaining...

I wanted to share a funny story..

So I'm sitting in front of the optometrist and he's testing my eyes and engaging in conversation with me at the same time. He asked me where I was from and I said "Canada". He looked very confused because I don't think he was expecting me to say that. He then asked "Where you born there?" And I said "Yes sir, born and raised". I knew what he was thinking (but wasn't saying).. she's got brown skin and crazy curls, how is she from Canada?.. she's not an Eskimo!.. ha ha.. After thinking to himself he questioned "What part of Canada exactly?" I replied by saying "A suburb just outside of Toronto". He surprisingly knew where Toronto was and had even visited there. I was impressed until he said "They got all them Portuguese and other ethnic people up there!" I think he felt proud of himself because he knew the word "Portuguese". I said that the Toronto area is probably the most diverse in the world and is filled with people from all over the world. He then said "I don't think I could live there".......... there was a long pause.... and I was giving him a funny look.. "I couldn't live there because it gets too cold"... yeah.. SURE.. that's the reason why...

That's not even the amusing part.. he then asked me where my husband is from.. I said that he was born in Bangladesh and came to the U.S. when he was three. He responded by saying "Ohhh, so he's African huh?"... AFRICAN? ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.. I really had to contain my laughter because he was being serious.. he wasn't kidding.. "No... Bangladesh is in South Asia".. I informed him... "Oh alright, but its really far from India though right?".... Wrong again oh "educated " one.. "Bangladesh borders India actually" I said.. Then he happily informed me that all he knew was that Pakistan and India hated each other.. and then sat there laughing like it was the funniest thing on Earth... I thought I'd give him a little history lesson while I still had some time with him.. "Well, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India were all one country referred to as India prior to 1947. All the people from these countries pretty much lived in peace amongst themselves until the British came and segregated everyone and told them where they were to live".. I'm not sure whether the optometrist fully absorbed what I said. He nodded and smiled. At least I attempted to englighten him!

I didn't want to confuse him any further by telling him that my mother was born in Kenya (Africa) and that my dad was born in India a year before the partition. Both my parents were raised in Pakistan and moved to Canada in 1972. So basically, most of their lives have been spent in Canada. I don't think he'd grasp any of that. It would have been interesting for him to guess where Kenya was though. I should have told him that I have family in England, Kenya, Dubai, Turkey, Ireland, Pakistan and Canada and listened for his response.. I've got a huge extended family. Massive..

I find people's ignorance SO utterly amusing at times.. Want to know the funniest part? He has a globe in his office.. This really cool globe that has rod iron handles holding it up... Obviously, he has never taken the time to actually LOOK at the globe though.. What a total waste... clearly its just for decoration.. I've always wanted a globe like that..

I for one LOVE learning about where people come from, what languages they speak and so on.. One of my favourite pass times as a child was looking through my dad's atlas and his almanac's as well. I really enjoyed seeing what the break down of each country's people was. Actually, I still do. I live for stuff like that. Call me what you like, but at least I know about the world we live in and the people that it contains! The world does not just consist of North America people..!

Throw Back.....

2006-10-08T11:28:00.000-06:00

I miss the 80's!

I officially love youtube. Last night I think I watched just about every 80's music video that tickled my fancy back in the day. Never did I think that I would have all of my favourite videos so readily available, just waiting to be viewed. I'm amazed at the fact that I still remember the words to songs that I had almost forgotten existed..

Some of my favourite videos.. (not in any particular order)....

Debbie Gibson-- Only in my Dreams
Fleetwood Mac-- Tell me Lies
Taylor Dayne-- Love will Lead you Back, Tell it to my Heart

New Kids on the Block-- You got it (The Right Stuff)

Tiffany-- I Think We're Alone Now

George Michael-- Monkey

Michael Jackson--- Bad, Smooth Criminal, Beat it, THRILLER, Man in the Mirror, Liberian Girl, Dirty Diana.. can't get enough of MJ's old tunes..

Madonna-- Who's that Girl, Borderline, True Blue, Like a Prayer, Cherish, Material Girl, Like a Virgin... I can go on and on.. Madonna is pop royalty and I have always loved her!

Lipps Inc. -- Funky Town

Duran Duran-- Lonely in your Nightmare

Musical Youth-- Pass the Dutchie

Martika-- Toy Soldiers

Corey Hart-- Sunglasses at Night

A Flock of Seagulls-- I Ran

Tracy Chapman-- Fast Car

Stevie Wonder-- Part Time Lover

Balinda Carlisle-- I get Weak, Mad About you, Heaven is a Place on Earth

The Clash-- Rock the Casbah (ADORE this video)

Limahl-- Never Ending Story (this song felt magical)

Alannah Myles-- Black Velvet

Tears for Fears-- Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Eddy Grant-- Electric Avenue

Rockwell-- Somebody's Watching Me

Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine-- Conga

Phil Collins-- In the Air Tonight, A Groovy Kind of Love, I Wish it Would Rain Down

Whitney Houston- How Will I Know, I Wanna Dance with Somebody

Sade-- Smooth Operator

Wham-- Wake me up, Careless Whisper

Stacey Q- Two of Hearts

Aha-- Take on Me

Lionel Richie-- All Night Long

RUN DMC/Aerosmith-- Walk this Way

Human League-- Don't you Want me

Dead or Alive-- You Spin me Round

Billy Joel-- Uptown Girl

B-52s-- Love Shack

Bon Jovi-- Living on a Prayer

Crowded House-- Don't Dream its Over

U2-- Desire, Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

Rick Astley-- Together Forever, Never Gonna Give you Up

Prince--Batdance, 1999, Purple Rain

Cindy Lauper-- True Colors, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Time After Time

Richard Marx-- Right Here Waiting

The Police-- Every Breath you Take

INXS- I Need you Tonight

Bobby Brown-- My Prerogative, Every Little Step, Rock With You, Take Control
Foreigner-- I Wanna Know What Love is..
Tracie Spencer-- Symptoms of True Love, Tender Kisses

R.E.M.-- Stand

I'm sure there are many others that I cannot think of at this very moment.. Looking at this list makes me realize how lucky I was to be born in the 80's (1980 to be exact) so I could appreciate the amazing music that was created during that time period.. the youth of today are clearly not as fortunate and it shows!

Male Rappers That Annoy Me Greatly

2006-10-07T20:19:00.000-06:00

(in no particular order!)

50 cent --with all the money this man has you'd THINK that he would get some braces-- I normally do not make comments like this.. but I can NOT stand this fool.. He swears he's a real "gangsta"... yeah.. because gangsta's really go on about "The Candy Shop"..

Li'l Wayne---is it just me, or does he just keep getting less and less attractive in each video that he makes?.. seriously, his tattoo clad body does not make him sexy.. neither does taking off his shirt for that matter.. he should keep his clothes on at ALL times! Also, wearing grills does not add to his "sex appeal" either.. BLAH!

Yung Joc--- All of his music sounds the same.. he lacks any kind of creativity.. oh my bad.. he made up that dumb ass dance in his first video that consists of shaking his shoulders from side to side.. wow.. how genius!..

Llyod Banks-- I'm trying to figure out who's worse.. 50 or Llyod Banks? Its a tough decision.. they are both extremely bad..

Young Dro--- This rapper hasn't been out long enough for me to despise him the way I do the rappers mentioned above.. HOWEVER, that damn "Shoulder Lean" song has got to be the most retarded song of 2006..

Copasetic Concoction

Bitches will be Bitches....

Merry Christmas!

Ikea's "Stupid" Sale...

Family Affair... scratch that.. make that "Family Unfair"

5 fun facts about Alicia Keys

5 fun facts about Alicia Keys

12:00 AM CST on Friday, November 23, 2007

Dreaming in threes.....

The Keys to Success

5:00AM Sunday November 18, 2007By Rebecca Barry

Keys Well Ahead Of Dion In Race For No. 1

Rapper Kanye West's mother dies

Eva and Kerry

No One

Marco the Horrible

Vogue in India and other thoughts

Still thinking like a Canadian

Don't Call it a Comeback..

Mama, you know I love you....

It's been a long time..

Americal Idol?.... No Signs Of One Tonight!

Blessings and Prayers Going Out to Sarah Taylor

It was the best of times.. it was the worst of times..

You Know U Grew Up in the 80s/90s If............

Grey Matter...

Happy Birthday Jay!

A Racist Tale...

Yo Adoro Realmente America Ferrera

Yeay!

Golden Globes and Immature Hoes....

Hiding Time..

Unreal

Yeay for Mr. Dreyfuss

Random

Year end Annoyance

Nas Scores Third No. 1 Album With 'Hip-Hop Is Dead'

The Pursuit of Happyness

Man arrested after trying to hide $70,000 from airport screeners

Yeay Alicia!

Good Music vs Commercial Ventures...

Real Flava

Well Beyond the Golden Gate Bridge

Urban Gems..

Tissue paper required..

Skin colour: A shady issue?

LOL!

A Declaration of Independence

Josie is my hero!

Frankie, you were truly outrageous!

NKOTB 4EVER!

Of cold weather and movies...

SNOW?!

Back in Dallas

Pink is the new Blog

Home Sweet Home

T.O.-made ad part of online revolution

Good Girls Go Bad, for a Day

Some Famous Ladies That I Admire...

Rest in Peace Mark

Very Random List of Favourite Things...

Karma Chameleon Jealous of The Material Girl

Today on my Diss List... Jim Jones..

Random thoughts about the weather and Aaliyah...

Mind wandering.....

Some things are beyond comprehension..

I applaud you Mr.Yunus! Good Job!

Tales from the Gym

Go Russell Go!

Clearly not a Globe Trotter!

Throw Back.....

Male Rappers That Annoy Me Greatly

5:00AM Sunday November 18, 2007
By Rebecca Barry