THE GLAMOUROUS LIFE -Celebrity Observations through a Fan’s Eyes
The Moral Compass – Which Way Do You Swing?
A compass is a navigational instrument for determining direction.
Morals are lessons learned as a result of an event or story. It is from what you’ve personally experienced or based on what someone else told you about from their experience.
The Moral Compass is the decision to not judge what is before you but to determine what mess you want within your square.
The moral compass is swinging in many directions. Are you making decisions for yourself or allowing others to persuade you to move to their motion.
What is happening with today’s times? Where is the moral compass that spins or points to any other direction except North (forward)? Is it pointing East, North, West, or South?
Pants are still sagging off the men’s butts. The history of sagging included being in prison and pulling the pants down letting the other prisoners know they’re ‘available for whatever’.
Welcome, Step and Fetch it – Black people have traded in their ‘Black face’ for cosmetics.
Hey… Basketball Wives – It was admitted on their reunion show that Shaunie O’Neal’s original concept was not what is seen on television today. Although Shaunie is not by far… broke, she did the Rockefeller (Nelson D). ‘How much is enough money? His response was ‘Just a little bit more”. The network isn’t socially conscious; just money hungry. Controversy sells! Admittedly, I was influenced by my husband to ‘try it.’ Of course I can try it, because I can always stop.
Welcome to the new crack… Reality shows! We were recording the shows and watching the currents. I found myself into the clothes and shoes. Hearing the drama was secondary but intriguing. ‘BW’ Crack is being marketed to the young girls and women in the neighborhood who live vicariously through them. The message says that I can be successful via an athlete, go through infidelities because ‘it is what it is’ and not leave empty-handed. This statement in no way implies, ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It?’ Even in my favorite BW – Tami, who says she didn’t receive any compensation in her divorce from Kenny Anderson, is now able to recoup her loss through her own efforts.
The fighting and the ever so tiring disrespect of Evelyn’s inability to effectively communicate, the use of the ‘B’ word is annoying, and the nude pictures are desperate cries for “mo’ money mo’ attention”.
Ladies, you have an obligation to mentor those everyday people; especially our young girls and women because you are taking their money.
You are taking control of your lives. You can be a ‘Power Woman’ – just be careful how you yield that power.
Yolanda Adams is in the renamed category of Inspirational Gospel. Music that makes you want to groove with a positive message. Translation: (Artists) are singing about the love of God and sometimes His name may not be used each time. In her interview on the Mo’nique Show (www.bet.com/…/themoniqueshow/…/monique2133-yolanda-s1.html) she encapsulated who she is as just being a human being. She wants to be herself. The pressure of people’s expectations confirms what I heard God speak ‘Just love me’. Her love for Christ cannot be judged or measured by anyone.
When you love someone; a best foot is put forward. No one has to preach fire and brimstone for you to do what it takes to show that love. We voluntarily and unconditionally change. She is human. She is a beautiful, sexy, intelligent business woman and mother who only asks to be recognized that she is no better or less than – just human.
Why is it that people can watch these reality shows of celebrities going to rehab, fighting and bickering amongst family, and all their problems but couldn’t give Tyler Perry’s ‘For Colored Girls’ (www.forcoloredgirlsmovie.com) the acclaim it deserves? Why? Because it was not done in humor or buffoonery but with real intellect and compassion; which is not what people want as a reminder to the reality to their own lives. They need to laugh to keep from crying.
So…
Recently, I pre-judged something and was thinking within the box. After opening up my heart, mind, soul; I endorsed a song entitled, ‘Pole in HER Bedroom’ by Uncle Win (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/unclewin3). The song implies that the woman is in control of her life as opposed being misrepresented or exploited by someone else. The movement is on to change the stereotype of women who belong to social clubs, motorcycle clubs, etc. The pole is being moved from the strip club to the fitness club and still allows women to be professionals and sexy without exploitation.
Being careful not to judge – I don’t think inside ‘the Box’. ‘My moral compass’ may sometimes move away from the North needle but through prayer, listening to that Higher Power greater than myself – my moral compass needle moves back to ‘North’- non-judgmentally but knowing what works for my life and how can I help someone else.
Is your needle pointed North – moving you forward
And finally if the needle on your moral compass…
Is your needle spinning around and around – never knowing where you’re bound?
And
If it’s pointed South – you’re going out the world ass backward.
I refuse to put God in a box. I refuse to allow people to put me in a box. I have to determine what is acceptable within my box and will not try to interject my beliefs into your box.
Continue reading The Moral Compass – Which Way Do You Swing?
‘Something Like a Business’ – Sad but True – Established Black Actors Really Made This Movie
(I won’t say ‘starring’; I’ll say ‘in it’) – Tasha Smith, Clifton Powell, Kym Whitley, Kevin Hart, David Alan Grier, John Salley, Jay Anthony Brown
Written & Produced: Russ Parr
Here was an opportunity to make a meaningful movie and this is what they made. Black actors complain of how the mainstream ‘white’ film industry portraits us as pimps, prostitutes, drug addicts and dealers and they went and did the same thing to themselves. Like getting mad at a white person for using the ‘n’ word and still call ourselves the ‘n’ word.
Hollywood Shuffle (Robert Townsend, 1987) was made 30+ years ago and he was highly criticized for it. Townsend satirized how blacks are portrayed but this film was straight out acting. These actors have played in great movies of Tyler Perry’s (Why Did I Get Married (2007) and WDIGM, Too (2010), Ray (2004), Drumline (2002)’; even ‘Soul Plane’ (2004) was silly-funny but much better than this mess. I never laughed at the drinking of urine or the eating of boogers to showing the graphic image of ‘pubic hair’ replacement for men. Nothing was funny – just sad – Especially filming the opening of the film in Washington DC showing Howard University as one of the landmarks.
There is no rationalization – were the actors bored? Were they ‘smoking’ and said ‘Hey we can make our own movie?’, – no, no, no. There is no rationalization. I’m sure this wasn’t meant to be seen mainstream, even if it was underground, why do this? State Property (2002) is said to have been a profound movie that made more money underground and is one to study for an up and coming movie screenwriter or director. I am interested in the film industry and really wasn’t interested in it. That same weekend I read the review and it came on BET (of course it did). The resource said ‘Lynette, check it out from the artistic point’ and I was able to understand – imagery, angles, etc.
I am outraged, ashamed, and feel that their money could have been spent more wisely making a real business instead of something like….
Is it me? I mean Hustle and Flow (2005) got Terrance Howard nominated for an Oscar, Denzel won the Oscar for Training Day (2002), and Halle for Monster’s Ball (2002) when they all have other films that could have won an award. My son tried to explain Denzel to me by saying it was because the character was totally the opposite of who Denzel is and the roles he usually portrayed. (Son I’m trying to understand but…). Halle was just as strong in Losing Isaiah (1995) but just didn’t get ‘screwed’ on set by Billy Bob Thornton.
The storyline of pimps and prostitutes (hoes as they used it), the ‘b’ word, are all so ‘passé’ in this film. Give us something more than this. To the people involved in the making of this film, I ask “Is this how you feel about yourselves? If you don’t demand respect, you won’t get respect”. Believe me, this will be an indelible blemish when I see them acting in other films. Did they make this while they were high or is it to be watched while one is high? Either way, it has me looking at these people who advocate for positive messages and positive imagery in the ‘black’ community makes me ask ‘Who is the ‘real’ sellout’?
Ray Williams – $$$ Broke but not Spiritually Broken!
Before logging out, I found this article on Yahoo. Sports Blog by Dan Devine. (July 2010). He writes through an interview with the Globe’s Bob Hohler, that Ray Williams, a 10-year NBA vet is now homeless. He’d “never fallen prey to drugs, alcohol, or gambling,” and he’s never been arrested, so it’s not like he’s some shiftless sociopath whom we can easily vilify. (Devine, 2010)
They give possible reasons of this ‘rags to riches’ story – mismanagement, poor planning, etc… but what catches me is this thought – “Maybe Williams’ family, former friends and associates merit some scorn for allowing him to live alone in a car in Florida; then again, maybe they’ve all had to distance themselves from Williams after 20-plus years of never getting his stuff together and failing to repay repeated loans, favors and kindnesses.” (Devine, 2010)
Lessons Learned
You can’t take everybody with you!!! People were probably around reminding him of how they helped him and how much he should help them, … Everyone has the chance to create their own dream – we are all dirt, all the same foundation. We should not feel obligated to people rather we should know spiritually how and when; to help. We all have choices and decisions. Re-read “You Might Miss your Opportunity but You Will Not Miss your Blessing” from my June 30, 2010 blog regarding what happened to me with the Oprah Winfrey’ contest. It affirms that had I’d won and was still this kind, giving, person before the revelation; this could easily have been my story!
Revelation
Ray Williams – it’s not Over!!! You are in you your ‘92 Buick listening to gospel music – praise and worship – feeding your spirit – reminding and strengthening yourself –‘ God please don’t pass me by’ I sang after this ‘ O-experience’. Keep singing it Ray ‘please don’t pass me by’ – I’ll recognize when you send my rescue, Lord.” He hasn’t – we’re still alive! Your testimony is going to be so GREAT! And you will hold on to your blessing.
The sad tale of Ray Williams: 10-year NBA vet now homeless. Devine, D. (2010). A Y! Sports blog. Retrieved July 3, 2010 from http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/The-sad-tale-of-Ray-Williams-10-year-NBA-vet-no;_ylt=AkafArYrcj6pEl37vfZ7dvfYrYZ4?urn=nba,253262
Continue reading Ray Williams – $$$ Broke but not Spiritually Broken!
Michael Jackson – The Long Mourning!
I finally wake up to see a part of all the Michael Jackson interviews my husband taped for the one year anniversary of his death (*June 25, 2009). It was the Jackson Five who influenced my husband’s music career and he taped everything!
There is a part in the interview, where I hear the foreign commentators state that Michael Jackson was an ‘incredible man’ and few would doubt “one of THE Greatest Entertainers of All Time” – I noticed that now that Michael is gone , there is no question of the influence and title he’d had in our lives. Now that he’s dead, there’s no argument that he is the ‘King of Pop’ – not Elvis.
Now that he is dead – the regrets, his humanitarian efforts, and the love and influence he had is being told. No one’s afraid of Michael Jackson now because he’s dead – but remember there are those who are even more powerful when they’re dead. They made sure there was a body for us to see so that people would accept his death. It reminds me of **Patrice Lumumba, independent Congolese leader first legally elected president of the Congo. Read his story.
Media wants to say that Michael Jackson’s addiction was to mask the physical pain however taking that medication masked the emotional pain.
Regarding ‘Netherland’ (his ranch) – the media commentator says that it is befitting for the closure Netherland because it ‘reminds people that something was wrong with Michael Jackson; huge stadiums remind of us of what was right’ (June, 2010) – “Us, other people, NOT Michael – Michael loved both and saw no problems with neither of these things UNTIL people made it a negative. Once again, it is to ease the conscious of those who persecuted Michael. When the molestation came up, wasn’t it after he bought the rights to the Beatles catalogue?
The interviews for Michael Jackson History/King (June, 2010) –‘We have never seen anything like him and we never will again. …God chooses people to do certain things and that it is there mission to do that thing… (They go one to quote the Gospels in the same context to Michael Jackson.)… They read ‘and the Lord God made Man from the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of Life and Man became a living soul’ (paraphrasing Genesis 2:7). Wow, who does that sound like they’re talking about? How many other profound people have we seen, persecuted, and missed their contribution on earth? He is only one of the many ‘Judges’ that God sends. In the Bible, the people would ask God to send them a Judge, they would be ‘good’ for a minute and then start clowning again – and what happened to the judges?
*The week before Michael died; my husband and I were watching him on television regarding his upcoming London tour. I said to my husband, “Mike tired. Mike ain’t gon’ be here – he is tired of people messing with him. He is ready to check out of here.” My husband asked me “Do you think he will make the tour?” Seeing the pain in my husband’s face that his ‘icon’ would be no longer – I lied. Slowly I dragged out my ‘lie’, “Yes, he’ll make the concert”. The next week Michael Jackson was gone. I am not saying that Dr. Conrad Murray and those responsible should not be held accountable – what I am saying is – “Michael Jackson is at peace.”
Just a thought – Shirts vs. Blouses – If Michael Jackson (shirts) played basketball against Prince (blouses) – who do you think would win? My vote would go to MJ because his brothers taught him to play! People created a rivalry between these two shy, teased, geniuses of music’. They remind me of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King.
*Centric “Michael Jackson History/King” documentary on 6.26.2010.
**Patrice Lumumba. Retrieved July 3, 2010 from www.africawithin.com/lumumba/patrice_lumumba.htm
Kimora Lee Simmons – Fab Life with a Flashback
Watching ‘Kimora Lee Simmons – Life in the Fab Lane’ (July 2, 2010)
‘Russell Simmons enters Kimora’s office.
He kisses her young assistant and Kimora says “Don’t kiss her.” Is it a fear to protect her friend from this ‘predator” whom had ‘victimized her’ when she was an under-age girl? I almost thought it was jealousy, but seeing Kimora and her interactions with her assistant, they are genuinely friends and Kimora has that “Mama protects her young.’ personality. Translation‘ Look you stay away from her, you did the same thing to me’.
That thing? – Kimora Lee was a teen age girl and Russell was a grown man when he got with her. Coming from a May-December experiences, I saw something more into this exchange.
She (Kimora) then goes into telling Russell about her volunteerism and credits him for being her inspiration in this area. I’m sure she has a good heart for which no one needs to tell her to ‘give back’ to the community – she understands ‘karma’.
Even though she is a conglomerate within her own right, there is still this psychological need to ‘please’ Russell as a child but then in another breath showing him ‘look, I’m all grown up and I don’t need you’.
She talks of how good it is to see him as well as how good it is to see him gone.’ Keep up the good work Kimora , you are a very strong, beautiful woman and mother who is already known without the last name of ‘Simmons’.
No matter how established one gets, people who were picked on, victimized, or suffered from ‘low-self-esteem’ may still seek approval from others or the person whom victimized them.
*Kimora Lee Simmons – Life in the Fab Lane (July 2, 2010)
Continue reading Kimora Lee Simmons – Fab Life with a Flashback
TREY SONGZ (BET AWARDS, 2010)
Trey Songz won “Best Male R & B Artist”. I heard him say ‘Come here baby ‘– to his mom. My husband and I got into a great debate! Mom looks great! I saw here sitting next to him in the audience, so I assumed it was his woman”. I hadn’t looked up from my work until she was on stage… and then he ‘looks around for his mom and says “Come here, baby”.
Reflection
Elvis called people “baby”, I say “sweetie, baby” and all that but it’s different with my sons.
I don’t care who else you call ‘baby’ or if calling people ‘baby’ is part of your daily lingo – I am your mother, I had you!
Revelation
We get real comfortable with our kids, and
I’m leaving this one for YOU!
KATIE HOLMES TO PLAY ‘JACKIE O ‘
Watching ET (June 29, 2010) noted that actress ‘Katie Holmes’ is cast to play the late, great ‘First Lady of the United States, Lady of Camelot, the premier fashionista of all time….’ And yes, the wife of JFK. I could go on and on – Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis.
Reflection
I remember Katie Holmes in several roles but what stood out is how she “disappeared as Katie Holmes” and became the ‘wife of Tom Cruise’ and ‘mother of Suri’. All in what’s supposed to occur in decent and in order for women (notice I said ‘supposed to’ so don’t go all ‘new age’ on me with “I don’t need to be married to have a baby, I don’t need these things to complete me, I don’t need a husband to have a baby” because I’m not judging folk). As time went on, this talented actress began to fade from my thoughts and resurfaced when I saw her in “Mad Money” (2008). She played an ‘assumed’ ditsy character that actually was a lot smarter and wiser than what was seen on the surface.
Does life imitate art or does art imitate life?
Ummm, for a while all the press was on her husband but when your “child’ gets more attention in the press, what’s up?
It is going to be interesting to see what happens after she plays this role. This is not just any role – but to transform into a strong, elegant, accomplished woman who held more than three titles at one time – with the difference being – her status remained equal in each role.
Does art imitate life or does life imitate art?
There is no way to “play” this role and not be transformed by it. It’s going to be interesting once the empowering spirit of ‘Jackie O’ is unleashed on screen and in real life.
Revelation
I just spell checked my document. ‘Holmes’ was not detected in my spell check (why not ‘Homes’?); ‘Cruie’ was misspelled and was detected as ‘Cruise’ – first choice in my spell check.
JONELLE MONAE – FINALLY!!! SOME TALENT AND ENERGY!!!
Still watching “BET WARDS 2010” on my DVR with my husband. Suddenly, this bad a** girl comes on with her ‘Elvis’ thang going on doing Princes’ “Let’s Go Crazy”. There are other energetic performers but they are performing saying “look at me” whereas Jonelle Monae’s performance screams “enjoy me, join me” to the audience. Actually, this was the best of the BET AWARDS for MY tastes.
Reflection
It’s been “a while” since I was that excited about a new performer. I’m old school and I miss my “Funk’ days of 1978-1990. Exactly when “funk” changed is unclear but to me after this era, along with the great basketball days of ‘Magic and Jordan’ (NBA)… music changed.
I understand that everything evolves with time but real meaningful music is fading!!!
As long as these artists keep sampling ‘old school’ music, it hasn’t died. It’s just waiting for a full resurrection!
Do you notice that all the young men sound alike – their voices all sound the same? Long gone are the voices of Otis Williams (Temptations), Barry White, Richard Sterban* (The Oakridge Boys), Michael McCary (Boys to Men). Can you name any new “deep voices” currently in the industry? Is it the fact that there is so much ‘studio magic’ or is there something in the water or food?
Embrace change!!!
Old school must adapt or accept to “New School” as the generations before us had to adjust to the same things from the young folk.
Revelation
**Michael Jackson (The Jackson Five) sang “Young Folks” (1970). ‘You better make a way for the young folks – here we come’ (1970). They are not asking for permission. They’re making a ‘definitive statement’ – HERE WE COME! (Regardless if you’re ready or not; they’re not asking for anyone’s permission – young folk are comin’).
*www.Answers.yahoo.com* (June 29, 2010)
**Retrieved June 29, 2010 from http://www.hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Jackson+Five&titel=The+Young+Folks&cat=s
Continue reading JONELLE MONAE – FINALLY!!! SOME TALENT AND ENERGY!!!
This ‘blog’ section is intended as a reflection of what I see in celebrity life. I am a spirituality coach and assist people with life transitions (from poverty to prosperity). I work with people from all walks of life. I believe that celebrities are people who just happen to have an open life and career with money. They are the children we grew up with who were bullied and teased by others who even may be the one who did these nasty things to other kids!
If the personal issues are never dealt with, they are now adults (who happen to be celebrities) with the same issues and behaviors. What’s difficult is being able to move ahead and not look back nor allow anyone remind them of “I remember when you used to…”
Look for me to ‘blog’ my thoughts and observations on things I see on television, the news, and even…what other fans talk about when we’re together. I will present information, not giving advice; just giving insight. Not being negative… You know, the things that make you say “Ummm…”
