Happy Saturday! I hope that everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving and that you all got your fill of turkey, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, and collard greens!

Let’s do this, shall we?

10 - Black Friday

In a time long since past, I was one of those folks who set the alarm and woke up to be at the Walmart or the Best Buy before the crack of dawn. My aunties and I would coordinate a schedule of stores that we would hit on Black Friday, and usually spent the entire day in the car, running from one store to the next. I admit, we got some great deals and have equipped our homes and gotten some wonderful toys for the children in our family by these early morning runs. The sheer tiredness that we would be overwhelmed with eventually won out, and we stopped these runs, deciding that our sanity was more important than saving 100 bucks on a television or DVD player.

So when I hear of stories like a Walmart worker getting stomped to death in Long Island, NY, and two people shot at a Toys ‘R Us in Palm Desert, CA, I am saddened. Saddened because it doesn’t have to be this. Saddened because commercialism and the allure of saving a buck on a plasma TV has overcome what the meaning of this holiday season truly means. And at that NY Walmart, the folks rushed in and trampled that man and kept shopping as he lay on the floor, dying. Is it really that serious? Where has our compassion gone? Where has the humanity disappeared to?

9 - Hell To The Naw!

There is a rumor going around that Whitney and Bobby have reunited. The rumor has even gone so far to say that the couple has been seen around Georgia “looking romantic.” What the hell does that mean? Did they have dinner together? Were they walking to the car and they hugged? Or maybe he leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek as they departed company? I swear I hate the media… 

Whitney immediately put out a statement denying the rumors by way of her publicist, calling the speculation “a complete fabrication.” Well, at least that…

8 - Role Models

In an article on MSNBC.com, Barack and Michelle Obama are being painted as the new role models for relationships. I must admit that I look at them and smile, but I don’t want to put them in a bubble. I don’t want to call them perfect, because I think that would be an insult to them. They are a married couple who I’m sure have to work hard at sustaining their marriage just like everyone else. I’m sure they have had ups and downs and arguments just like everyone else. Of course, there is much to be said about their commitment to each other, and the affection and love that you can plainly see when the two are together (and for that matter, apart), and I admire that. It’s not a bad thing they are being labeled as relationship role models; but I think people have to have realistic views. Both Michelle and Barack were and are their own people who bring 100% to this relationship. You can look at them and want to have a love like that, but you have to take a look at yourself and work on you before you can get there.

7 - Plaxico, Plaxico, Plaxico

Plaxico Burress, of the New York Football Giants, accidentally shot himself in the leg while at a nightclub last night. Apparently he was trying to take the bullets out of the gun and shot himself in the thigh. This dude…

6 - When You Think Of Me

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on January 15, 2007 by spanishjoint

5 - Superior Scribbler Award

PJazzy gifted me with the Superior Scribbler Award…my thanks to you! I am supposed to pass it on…here are the rules:

1. Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.
2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.
3. Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award. and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we’ll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor am passing the Superior Scribbler Award to the following diverse five who have inspired me through their unique insights, providing me with a more diverse perspective. Y’all keep up the good work!
4. Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit This Post
5. Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

So I’m passing this one along to (and they may be repeats; I seem to travel in the same circles as everyone else):

Symphony @ Essential Presence - Because she has a pulse on all the good things that are happening in the world, even in this time of bad things happening.

Jack @ Jack’s Gay Chronicles - Because he is an amazing daddy.

Cynthia @ Love.Self.Entirely - Because she bares her soul and invites others into her world.

Viv @ Songs In The Key Of Life - Because she has excellent taste in music.

Manchild @ When Least Expected - Because he is my inspiration and a true blessing to me.

4 - Uber Amazing Blog Award

Wow, I’m raking ‘em in…hee hee! The Uber Amazing Blog Award I received from Mike…thank you! Here are the rules for this one:

The award is given to sites that:

• inspire you
• make you smile and laugh
• give amazing information
• are a great read
• have an amazing design
• and/or any other reason that makes them Uber Amazing!

So I’m giving this one to:

Invisible Woman @ Black Cinema At Large - Because she is my girl, and I always learn something new over at her spot.

Tha Connoisseur @ SoulAfrodisiac - Because she shares what is on her mind, and ends each post with a song that touches my spirit.

Sharon @ The True Urban Queen - Because she is perhaps the realest blogger I’ve ever read. 

3 - Jilly From Philly

Another rumor…this time, that Jill Scott is pregnant with her first child. Remember that she is engaged/married to the drummer in her band, Lil’ Jon Roberts? After reading several of the comments left on different articles reporting this, you would think that folks have a personal stake in what goes on in Ms. Jill’s life. Who are we to decide when is too soon for her to move on with her life and fall in love again? That is entirely up to her! I love Jill (”she is me, I am her”) but this is one area that I am not going to touch. I can only be happy for her and continue to support her artistry and music.

2 - CNN Heroes

I was up at midnight last night, watching the CNN special, CNN Heroes. There were some remarkable stories highlighted, about regular people who are doing extraordinary things. It just goes to show you that we all have a purpose in life and I think if we are called to serve, then we must act upon it. One of the people highlighted was Anne Mahlum. She started a program, “Back On My Feet” in Philadelphia where she takes homeless people running. But it is so much more than that. She used to spend her time running past the homeless folks but one morning stopped and decided to help them. The Back On My Feet program has a job training program and really is a support group for folks to motivate themselves to do better.

It is stories like this one that makes me realize that humanity, however small it may be, still lives inside of some people. How easy it is for us to walk past and ignore the less fortunate, but this young lady, by doing something that she was already doing, has changed people’s lives. That is highly commendable.

1 - While You Were Here

I’m on an Eric Benet kick…

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on May 27, 2008 by joebloggs242

Have an excellent night all!

What’s up my folks!? It’s that time once again and I am so tired from running all week…I think those folks at work are trying to kill me! But it’s all good…gotta be grateful for having a job that allows me to show my skills. That’s real…

So let’s do this…

10 - What You Know About This?

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on July 10, 2007 by wakemeupb4ug0g0

9 - Myron Rolle

Mr. Rolle arrived at Florida State University as the #1 high school football recruit in the country. He has had an All-American season with the Seminoles, both on and off the field. He graduated from FSU with a degree in pre-med and a GPA of 3.75. You see, this is no average student athlete. This young man will know tomorrow if he is one of the 32 winners of a Rhodes Scholarship, one of the most prestigious (and hardest to get) accolades in the academic world. Because of his attention to his studies, he has been criticized for being “too studious”…but that has not stopped him. The article is worth a read…here.

What I love about this story is the fact that you can have everything…if you work for it. Oh, Mr. Rolle may be an exceptional case, but why can’t we all be exceptional cases?

Update: Myron Rolle earns Rhodes Scholarship…read the story here.

h/t to Symphony at Essential Presence for the story…thanks, Lady!

8 - The Internet Is The Debbil

A teenager committed suicide in front of a live web cam and by the time folks figured it out and called the police, he was dead. The camera was on fro 12 hours! People watched for 12 hours and it took that long for folks to figure out that he was seriously going through with this? The article on MSNBC.comsaid that the stream showed Abraham Biggs taking some pills and then appearing to go to sleep and breathing for a few hours. What trips me out is that out of the people who watched this, some of them encouraged him to kill himself, some tried to talk him out of it, and others discussed whether or not the amount of pills he took were enough to kill him. WTF?!

7 - Proposition 8

I haven’t said much about this issue, because it is one that is so controversial that I chose to keep silent. But this is my space, right? And I can say whatever the hell I want to say. So here it is: I have a gay friend, let’s call him Craig, who I adore. He has told me stories about his 2 ex-husbands and every time that he does that, I still get thrown for a loop. And it has nothing to do with the fact that he has loved someone of the same sex…it is that he uses the term “husband.” Do I think that gay people should have the same rights to take care of their significant others just as a traditional couple does? Absolutely. But I honestly think that folks get turned off by the “husband/wife” terms. I’m not saying it is right, I’m just saying it is what it is. I find absolutely no fault with anyone who loves who they love, and feel that everyone has the right to do what they feel is natural to them. What they do is between them and their God…I stand in judgement of no one. But if I, as open-minded as I am, am uncomfortable with my beautiful gay friend speaking of his husband, imagine how the rest of the nation, operating on fear and ignorance and close-mindedness, thinks. That’s all I’m saying. What I say to my gay friends is: call your partner husband/wife if that is what you want…I don’t care…my hangups are something that I will get over. But maybe in the eye of the law, ”marriage” isn’t the wisest choice of words.

6 - Enough Of That…Grab Your Lighters!

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on February 3, 2007 by AndersonCouncel12

5 - I Could Look At This All Day…Amazing!

4 - A Bad (But Funny) Joke

Maybe you have to be drunk to enjoy this one…I had a margarita before Ms. Jeannine told it to me and we giggled all the way home!

What’s the difference between an epileptic oyster shucker and a prostitute with diarrhea?
The epileptic oyster shucker shucks between fits…

3 - Feature Movie Of The Week

I’m sitting here watching Rosewood. For me this is one of those movies that is hard to watch, but I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from it. It represents everything that we’ve come from, yet where we have to go. It’s one of those films for me that shows how lies rage out of control and damage people that you never knew they would reach. It also shows how indifference and ignorance can ruin society. Rosewood is a true depiction of the story of the town of Rosewood, FL and how it was burned to the ground based on a lie. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. Learn a lesson from it…

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on September 28, 2006 by undys

2 - Love Is What You Make It

It was Friday morning and a young businessman finally decided to ask his boss for a raise. Before leaving for work, he told his wife what he was about to do. All day long he felt nervous and apprehensive. Finally, in the late afternoon, he summoned the courage to approach his employer, and to his delight, the boss agreed to the raise.

The elated husband arrived home to a beautiful table set with their best china and lighted candles. Smelling the aroma of a festive meal, he figured that someone from the office had called his wife and tipped her off. Finding her in the kitchen, he eagerly shared the details of his good news. They embraced and danced around the room before sitting down to the wonderful meal his wife had prepared. Next to his plate he found an artistically lettered note that read, “Congratulations, darling! I knew you’d get the raise! This dinner is to show you how much I love you.”

Later on his way to the kitchen to help his wife serve dessert, he noticed that a second card had fallen from her pocket. Picking it up off the floor, he read, “Don’t worry about not getting the raise! You deserve it anyway! This dinner is to show how much I love you.”
Dr. Joe Harding
From Chicken Soup for the Soul

1 - Funniest Comic EVER!

I found this article during my Stumbling that rated the top 7 funniest Black comics of all time. They are:

1. Richard Pryor
2. Redd Foxx
3. Dave Chappelle
4. Eddie Murphy
5. Chris Rock
6. Robin Harris
7. Bill Cosby

Let me throw in my 2 cents…first of all, we all know that Richard Pryor is the Ultimate King of Comedy…there will never be no other. If anyone else had been # 1 on this list, I wouldn’t have even paid any attention to it. But Eddie Murphy in his prime…definitely #3. And Chris Rock before Bill Cosby? Nah…And what about Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac, Paul Mooney?

That’s all for me…everyone have a wonderful Saturday!

Good evening, people! It’s Saturday and that means it is time for The10Spot!

Let’s get it on, shall we?

10 - 11 Days

It’s been 11 days since this country elected its first Black president. Since then, we have seen announcements of who is going to sit on President-elect Obama’s cabinet, speculation on who is not, stories of meetings and outright power plays being made…we have also heard an insane amount about the puppy that was promised to the Obama girls.

Through all of this is still the phenomenal feeling that in less than 8 weeks, we will swear in a president who is the epitome of change. This election was fought hard for, and there was a lot of passion involved. I’ve seen personally folks getting involved, including myself, that put their hearts and souls on the line. It is my sincere hope that it won’t end. Our country deserves more…it deserves that we use all of that passion to turn it into what we know it can be. All of the hate and ignorance that showed it’s ugly face…we need to ensure that a clear message is sent that there is no longer a place for it. The only way to do that is by creating, and sustaining, a united front.

9 - Godfather

Oh, there is a Godfather marathon on tonight on AMC…I need to hurry and finish this so I can enjoy.

No on has swagga like Michael Corleone…

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on May 6, 2008 by BunkerFox

8 - Good TV

So I’m hooked on Trueblood on HBO…I was seriously thinking of shutting down my cable (you know, recession) but then I got hooked on this damn show and now I have to make a decision! Why are all the best shows on cable!? This one is about vampires, in modern day times, and I tell you what…the plot is fantastic!

But I’m conflicted…am I supposed to be this attracted to Lafayette?

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on October 6, 2008 by NafterLife

7 - Katt Williams

According to a story on BET.com, Katt Williams was taken to a mental hospital after visiting an attorney with claims that the police were “attempting to violate his civil rights.” Later, the attorney said that Katt was “disoriented” and his family arrived and tried to take him to a mental institution for an evaluation. But it took an order by a judge to get him there.

When I read this story, I think of his children. I know he has adopted kids…7 out of 8 of his kids are adopted. And I also know that Katt was scheduled to give his last stand-up concert on December 31st with Steve Harvey in Detroit. For someone to give up their career, when there is so much ahead, he almost has to realize that it is weighing on him and doing him damage, don’t you think? Maybe it is taking time from his children, maybe he sees himself being more help from the sidelines…whatever it is, I hope that he finds peace.

Update: Katt’s publicist has released a statement…thank you Lady Di!

Following an arduous 300 shows and an 18-month touring schedule that left him incredibly fatigued, Katt felt compelled to be with his family in an effort to deal with his stress. While doing so, he is under a doctor’s care.

As this is a private and personal matter, we hope the media will respect his family’s request for privacy.

Yvette Shearer
Shearer Public Relations

6 - I Could Look At This All Day

5 - Crown Royal…On Ice (for the Grown and Sexy)

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on April 15, 2008 by totalpkge16

4 - The Wal-Mart Greeter

I got this through e-mail…

A very loud, unattractive, mean-acting woman walked into Wal-Mart with her two kids, yelling obscenities at them all the way through the entrance.

The Wal-Mart Greeter said pleasantly, “Good morning, and welcome to Wal-Mart. Nice children you have there. Are they twins?”

The woman stopped yelling long enough to say, “Hell no they ain’t! The oldest one’s 9 and the other one’s 7. Why the hell would you think they’re twins? Are you blind, or just stupid?”

“I’m neither blind nor stupid, Ma’am,” replied the greeter. “I just couldn’t believe someone would sleep with you twice. Have a good day and thank you for shopping at Wal-Mart.”

3 - ???’s

I was reading on Essence.comthat you can insert your birth control pills in your va-jay-jay to decrease the side effects (nausea, vertigo, headaches, etc.)…have you ever heard of such a thing?

Do you really care if Michelle Obama’s mother stays in the White House to help look after the girls? I say she’s needed, so it’s alright with me…people need to get a grip.

If you had a choice to be with anyone in the world you wanted to be with, who would you choose? I’m sorry Jada, but I’d snatch Will’s ass in a heartbeat! 

Are you having political withdrawal symptoms now that the election is over? I felt a little out of sorts a couple of days after…but there is still so much to do. So I’m cool.

2 - Some Personal Shit

So I turned 37 on Thursday…and I am going through some changes, which are good changes. I am open to whatever they are, because I know that they are meant for good. There are some things that I can no longer ignore; some things that I know that I need to correct. We’ll get into them more in depth later, but I just wanted to say that happiness is a choice, and I choose it. Thanks to all of you who sent Birthday wishes (and Coop, thanks for the card - I loved it!)…I hope that Malcolm and Regina enjoyed their days as much as I did!

1 - Incognito

I’ll be sporadic for the next few weeks…I have an awards banquet to attend for work tomorrow, then I’m prepping for a training class so my visits here will be short and sweet.

Take care everyone!

Happy Monday, y’all! Thanks to everyone who left me a “feel better” message…I do feel better!

There is magic in this music…can you feel it?

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on January 10, 2008 by LOVESOMEGLADYS

Seems like I missed some good news tidbits not posting the 10Spot on Saturday…like the dumbass football player that posted a racial slur against President-elect Obama on his Facebook account and lost him his position on the Texas Longhorns football team…or the GOP sending lawyers up to recover the clothes it purchased for Governor Palin to wear on the campaign trail (she’s sorting through them)…

There also seems to be an uproar over whether or not Beyonce’ attended the funeral for Jennifer Hudson’s family…but more interesting is what is going on with Jen’s sister and why is she posting pics of herself online? There’s an interesting write-up over at WAOD…

Ms. Regina tagged me with a Real Mom’s meme…Ms. Regina, I promise to get to it this week!

Well, that’s all for today…I will see y’all tomorrow!

Happy Saturday, y’all! I had a blast on OSF yesterday…loved everyone’s choices!

Let’s dive right in…

10 - Set It Off

That scene in the movie: Cleo is being chased by the police and she realizes that she has nowhere else to go, so she slows the car down to a stop. She looks around, realizing her impending death, and lights up a cigarette. You can see the resolve on her face, see the “Fuck it” as she flips the switches and blazes through the police cars that have barricaded her in. As the bullets fly into the car, she rolls through and comes to a stop. You think it’s over…but she comes out of the car, guns blazing. Because you aren’t going to take Cleo without a fight. And they pummel her body with bullets from every angle, and she falls to the ground, finally defeated, finally beaten…

In the background, there is a song playing. It is one of the most poignant songs I’ve ever heard. It’s called “Up Against The Wind” by Lori Perri and every time I watch this movie, I cry at this scene. I’m not crying for Cleo the bank robber…I cry because she felt she had to be this way, had to do these things to survive. It should never be this hard.

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on October 28, 2008 by sporo2000

9 - “I Don’t Express…”

h/t to Necole Bitchie…I love LeBron James. I love those LeBron commercials. This one is quite cute.

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on October 31, 2008 by frontrowlive

8 - Can Somebody Please Slap This Boy!?

OK…Toure’ interviewed Soulja Boy for his show The Black Carpet and asked him, “What historical figure do you most hate?” This fool said:

“Oh wait! Hold up! Shout out to the slave masters! Without them we’d still be in Africa.”

He then went on to add:

“We wouldn’t be here to get this ice and tattoos.”

Hip-Hop has officially died…this dumbass is head pallbearer.

7 - Further Foolery

The Pimp Mayor is finally going to jail…and this Negro was up in court, smiling and laughing like they were sending him to Disney World! It is one thing to present a face that you are going to be fine and accept your punishment, but to act like this provides further proof that this Negro is getting exactly what he deserves. Fool!

6 - Some Cuteness

I saw these on Huffington Post…just some puppies dressed up in their Halloween costumes. I have a puppy (he’s neurotic…no, I’m serious) but when he was younger, I would dress him in his sweaters and polo shirts…he still goes and gets his blue sweater when it snows outside…I think it’s cute. But that’s about as far as it goes. These folks are over the edge…

It's Danny Zuko!

 Joe The Plumber!

5 - “Don’t Turn The White House Over To The Negroes!”

There are just no words…

4 - Dan Cooper

Founder and part-owner of Cooper Firearms was asked to resign after he came out as a supporter of That One. Here is the statement posted by the company on their Web site:

“The employees, shareholders and board of directors of Cooper Firearms of Montana do not share the personal political views of Dan Cooper. Although we all believe everyone has a right to vote and donate as they see fit, it has become apparent that the fallout may affect more than just Mr. Cooper. It may also affect the employees and the shareholders of Cooper Firearms. The board of directors has asked Mr. Cooper to resign as President.”

The company employs 38 people, and Mr. Cooper, according to an article on USA Today, felt the need to resign due to the “Internet anger turned on these innocent people” because of his political choice.

I highlight this story because I think it portrays the divisiveness of this political season. This man, or anyone for that reason, cannot express their views without repercussion. Why should this man have to distance himself from the company he built because of who he supports? That’s a damn shame…

3 - I Could Look At This All Day

It’s almost over…hang in there…

2 - Rock The Vote

T.I. voted for the first time in his life…as a convicted felon, he was under the impression that he could not vote. That is until he did some research and learn that he could.

Look, we all know that I like this dude…but this story hit me on more than this level. I like that he is rising above just being a “convicted felon” and is trying his damnedest to make something out of himself. Yes, he is going to jail…yes, he has made some wrong choices…but one way to redemption is admitting your mistakes and attempting to live your life right the rest of the way. This is not for us to judge; it is between him and his God. I wish him well…

1 - ???s

What are your plans for Election Day?I’ve taken the day off, and the next day, because I plan to go vote early and spend the remainder of the day working in the local campaign office. I don’t plan to spend November 5th celebrating…I plan to be recuperating from all the work I do on the 4th. But I do hope to have a little “victory” in my heart!

What do you think of DL’s show?I know I posed this question last week…but more as a “wait and see” type thing. I’ve heard nothing but negative come out of this thing. I’ve always treated DL with indifference; I could take him or leave him. Then he went on and co-signed what Don Imus said about the basketball girls and I lost what little regard I held for him. I admit, I only watched 10 minutes of his show on CNN, but it was bad. And when I listened to Steve Harvey that next week, folks were e-mailing asking Steve to do something. That can’t be a good sign either. DL is no Dave Chappelle, or Chris Rock even…what I saw was a man taking advantage of an opportunity through any means necessary…fuck everybody else. When does consciousness come into play?

What book are you currently reading?I’m reading The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides. It is, so far, very good. I never saw the movie…but will put it on my NetFlix queue after I finish the book.

Well, that’s all for me…Have a great Saturday!

10 - For Real?

This young lady’s  story was that she was robbed and assaulted by a “big black man” who carved a “B” in her cheek after noticing her McCain sticker on her car. And instead of validating and waiting for further details, The Old Dude’s campaign ran with it, because who wouldn’t believe that the little white girl wasn’t assaulted by the “big black man?” Of course, embellishments were added, for instance, the “B” standing for Barack and saying that this proves that That One’s campaign and those associated with it are out of control. Then of course we find out the story is not true…she made it up. And miracles of all miracles, the story disappears…just like that. Please read the story here.

This is some flat out bullshit…Being the mother of a young black male, I am horrendously upset that a generic description of some “big black man” could be used in this situation and that it could have possibly blown up into something uncontrollable. When will it end, people?

9 - My Heart…

Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother were found shot and killed inside a home on Chicago’s south side Friday. You can read the story here…

I pray for Jennifer and her family, that she will be able to weather this storm. This has to be one of the saddest stories I’ve read in a long time…

8 - Overdose

Isiah Thomas was rushed to the hospital after an accidental overdose of sleeping pills. Hmm…I never understood “accidental overdose”…how do you accidentally take too many pills? I’m not saying it can’t happen; I’m just asking how…

OK, now Mr. Thomas is saying that it was his daughter that had the medical emergency, not him. But the police chief says that he’s lying…and that they know the difference between treating a 47-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl.

7 - Wassup?!

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on October 24, 2008 by 60frames

6 - A Little Musical Interlude

5 - I Could Look At This All Day

That One in Richmond, VA

 4 - Some Coonery

I know you all know about this whole “Real Chance at Love” bullshit on VH1…who’s decision is it to continue this crap on TV? And these are the two worst people to give a show to in the history of televison…I was flipping through the television and came across this shit yesterday and couldn’t do anything but shake my head. I sat through Flav…and even one season of New York, but I cannot endure this shit (partially because I think these dudes are a little suspect; any dude that takes longer than me to do their hair is a problem).

Look at this shit:

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on October 9, 2008 by lele89119

3 - ???s

What do you think about office relationships?

I saw this on MSNBC.com and it had me thinking…do celebrity endorsements really sway voters?

Will you go see “Notorious” when it comes out (the life story of Biggie)?

What is the one food you absolutely refuse to eat?

2 - My Son

I think I’ve mentioned before that my son is now 13. I realize that as a 13-year-old, he’s got a lot of things going on in his brain: school, girls, hormones, football, basketball, trumpet, social activities, etc…but I swear to God if he don’t get his act together and stop talking to me like he’s talking to his little buddies, he ain’t going to make it to 14.

That is all…

1 - BET Hip-Hop Awards

I couldn’t bring myself to watch this year. But I read that it was Lil Wayne’s night…he seemed to win all of the awards. I don’t want to hate on him, but what is the deal? Is this what hip-hop has evolved to? I’m almost ashamed to call myself a hip-hop lover when Lil Wayne wins “Lyricist of the Year.” What lyrics? I’m so…ugh…

Have a good night, y’all…

Bonus: Will This Be You?

h/t RDB…

Happy Saturday, everyone! I hope you are enjoying your day…

10 - Saying Goodbye

I can’t imagine that anyone’s death will hit me harder than Luther’s did. I don’t mean to sound facetious, but I took Luther’s death personally, as I’m sure a lot of people did. But hearing about Levi Stubbs passing…well, it made me feel like I had lost my uncle. You see, I was raised on this music. I woke up Saturday morning to this music blasting through my house. I learned how to scrub bathtubs and mop floors and vacuum to this music. You just develop a relationship with it, and those who sing it, and feel them in your spirit. With each passing of these musical legends, my spirit cries out in sadness. Thankfully, we will always have the music and they will forever live on, if only in our ears.

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on October 6, 2007 by jameycruz

9 - Political Bullshit

Although it may not mean much in the scheme of things, a record number of conservative newspapers and publications have endorsed Senator Obama. So far the number of endorsements is at a total of 58 for Obama, and 16 for The Old Dude (according to a story on the Huffington Post). Many of these same papers backed Dubya in 2004, so maybe they are trying to make up for their tremendous mistake. Or maybe they are actually using the right portion of their brains and looking at this from the standpoint of who is going to actually try to bring this country together…

I’m sure you all have heard about the robo-calls going out in support of The Old Dude (I happen to think it is part of this whole “kitchen sink” shit that will not work)…well now, The Old Dude has thrown out that Obama is smearing Joe the Plumber. Um, wasn’t the Old Dude the one who mentioned him at the debate, even though he showed up at That One’s rally? And wasn’t The Old Dude the one who mentioned him over 20 times during this same debate? How then is That One the one who is doing the smearing? Just because he brought his ass into the limelight and got caught being a liar, don’t place the blame on anyone but yourself and him for planting his ass there in the first place.

8 - The Kings

There is a rift in the King family, apparently over what to do with memoirs left behind by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife, Coretta. This is something that I absolutely hate to see, and after reading this article on CNN.com, I am let in on Bernice and Martin III points of view. It is my hope that the children of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta can get this worked out and face the world as the people they were brought up to be. Not that they aren’t being that now, but divided they are, and they shouldn’t be…

7 - American Woman!

Wow…I saw this on Keith’s spot on OSF and I have to steal it because it is FAB-U-LOUS! Lenny Kravitz and Prince on the same stage…WHAT?!?!

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on June 21, 2008 by vjQUA

6 - The Thickness

I was reading on Essence.com about the allure of thick women to men. You can always find a man who is attracted to a big-boned woman (I don’t care what they say), but ladies I think we must not fool ourselves. There is a distinct difference between being “thick” and being “fat.” Sorry if that hurts your feelings, but it is true. Thickness is well-proportioned, but bigger than regular. You still have the curves, and look good in your clothes, and carry yourself in a manner that says you are the shit. Now, if you are walking around in shit that is too small for you, or showing gut when you know that shit is not cute, take a long hard look in the mirror girlfriend and be honest with yourself. When men look at you, they see a piece of ass…a piece of easy ass at that. A piece of ass that would be no challenge to get because you are not presenting yourself as a lady, as a woman that cares enough for herself…low self-esteem, let’s call it. Walking around with your tiddays out, or in shit that does not flatter you is just flat out wrong. Just because they make that mini-skirt in a 3X, does not mean that your fat ass needs to put it on! Believe me when I tell you, because I happen to be a big girl (and a fine one at that, thank you very much), being taken advantage of because you don’t love yourself is not the business…get some fucking self-esteem!

5 - I Could Look At This All Day

That One was in Missouri today…this is a photo from his visit to St. Louis where the crowd was said to be 100,000 large. He was in my part of MO this evening (I missed it) and the crowd was reported at 75,000…yeah!

4 - ???s

Where exactly is “real America?”

Does anybody care that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt started their relationship during Mr. & Mrs. Smith? And even if they did, did we not know that already?

Caribou Barbie is going to be on SNL tonight…anybody watching?

How much is gas where you are? Gas around here is $2.34…yeah, okay (I’m crazy, not stupid)…

3 - On The D.L.

D.L. Hughley has been given a show on CNN…I’ll let you run with this one.

2 - Having A Party

Oh! I was in the car last week and this song came up on the mp3 player and I turned it up and jammed! I love Luther with all my heart, and sometimes there is nothing better than a Luther song to lift your mood or to get you in the mood…whatever that mood may be.

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on May 17, 2008 by ralph1998

1 - Thanks!

I thank you to everyone who left their suggestions and comments to my question of what to do with this blog. I’ve been blogging since 2006, and it started as a simple online journal (I type faster than I write) and it has evolved into something that I never thought it would become. I think for a minute there I let it get out of control…what with as many as 8 blogs going on at the same time (that’s too much!) but through all of that I have met some wonderful folks and have exorcised some demons. I’ve come a long way in my life, and still have very far to go…I look forward to sharing all of that with you…

Peace and blessings!

Happy Saturday all!

Let’s get started…

10 - Lose Yourself

I listen to this song when I feel like my back is against the wall…when I need some motivation. It’s one of those songs that touches your spirit and sparks a movement. I think it is brilliant, because it paints a picture of “I gotta do something, because I can’t fail”…it also shows that with hard work and faith, you can overcome anything. There are only a handful of rap songs that I consider brilliant…this is one (the lyrics are crazy good!)…

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on June 14, 2007 by shadowflyer101

9 - Ms. Betty

Oh how I love an old woman not afraid to be who she is. Betty White is such a woman. She has earned the right to say whatever the hell she wants to, and does so. I’m sure you have seen this clip around, but it is way too good to pass up…

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on October 7, 2008 by editorjeff

8 - Feel Your Boobies

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month…this is your official reminder to do your self-examinations, and if you are due, go in for your mammograms!

7 - D.I.S.B.S.

A New York county printed “Barack Osama” on absentee ballots that were mailed to voters. They are calling it a mistake…although it seems to me that since the article I read said that the ballots were checked by three people before they went out…a mistake? I think not…

6 - The Cat Is Out Of The Bag…

Beyonce’ is finally admitting to being married to Jay-Z, in an article in Essence magazine. She talks about their relationship, why the wedding was small and intimate (”It’s been my day so many days already,” she says), and why she didn’t want an engagement ring (although I’ve seen pics of her with a HUGE ring on her finger here lately).

Look, I happen to like Beyonce’ and Jay. I respect their decision to keep their relationship out of the spotlight. I also understand that her talking now is about her having a new CD to promote. Release some tidbits, sell some records…she’s not stupid. I can’t knock her hustle at all, or be mad at anything that she does.

5 - I Love Your Blog Award

I love blogging…and all the folks that read my blog, let me just say that I love that you contribute and share your thoughts here. It makes it all worthwhile!

The Style Master has given me the “I Love Your Blog” award and I want to say thank you. A few months ago, I did a guest spot over at his space which was a lot of fun. The Style Master has a very keen eye for fashion, and I love his very good advice!

I am supposed to pick 7 blogs that I love to pass this on to…but I can’t. I can’t be asked to pick yet again, so I won’t. If you are here and reading this (and you are on my blogroll), congratulations! I love you all!

4 - ???s

How in the hell can you come out and say that you did nothing wrong, when the report says you did, Mrs. Palin? I think that is called talking out of the side of your neck…

Why exactly should Obama denounce and repudiate the words of John Lewis?

Speaking of which, why is it that Obama has to apologize for everything every Black person says?

Who is apologizing for the people at the rally screaming “Terrorist!” and “Traitor!” and “Kill Him!”

3 - I Could Look At This All Day

I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday’s OSF! Prince is THE MAN!! And he is just so pretty!

2 - Below 30 Days

24 days left…I hope you have all checked your voter registration and are ready to go!

1 - Behind The Scenes In Denver

It is videos like the one below that keep me with hope in my heart, with motivation to do what I can to help this man become President. Even with all the bullshit of the race baiting and hatred being spewed, with all the craziness Palin has been talking…I look at this family, at this man, and believe honestly that what he is doing is not about him…it’s about us. This is a moment in our lives, in my life, when I feel that the choice is in my hands. I read the following somewhere…it is a prayer offered by Pastor Arnold Conrad at an Old Dude event somewhere…:

“I also would also pray, Lord, that your reputation is involved in all that happens between now and November, because there are millions of people around this world praying to their god—whether it’s Hindu, Buddha, Allah—that his opponent wins, for a variety of reasons. And Lord, I pray that you will guard your own reputation, because they’re going to think that their God is bigger than you, if that happens. So I pray that you will step forward and honor your own name with all that happens between now and election day.”

Of course he meant something else when he said it…but I take it and I know that he will…but it may come as a surprise to some people on how he does it.

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on October 8, 2008 by BarackObamadotcom

Peace…

Happy Saturday! Let’s see what’s going on, shall we?

10 - Waiting…

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on June 30, 2007 by coolconspirator

9 - Unfortunately…

The Old Dude’s campaign has announced that they are going to start going after Obama’s character, in this the last 30 days until the election. Let’s see…did that work for Hilary?

8 - Unlucky # 13

O.J. is going to jail…exactly 13 years after he was acquitted of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. I seem to get the feeling that we all knew that he was going to be sent to prison, that the verdict was going to be guilty. From the moment that he was acquitted, it seemed like O.J. was setting himself up for failure. He could never seem to keep himself quietly out of the way. This is also one of those situations where I feel like I should hang my head, but I don’t…and won’t. I have never supported him; I wasn’t one of those folks celebrating in the streets when he was acquitted back in 1994 and I certainly won’t celebrate the state of his life right now. I will say it is a damn shame that this 60 year old man is going to spend what remains of his life behind bars (you know he will)…he has gone from a football hero to nothing. And it is his own fault.

7 - Warren…DWTS

I’ve been watching Dancing With The Stars and I must say that the person I am most impressed with is Warren Sapp. I’ve always been a fan, since his days on the football field. But seeing him on the dance floor has added another notch in his belt for me…being as big as he is, he is incredibly light on his feet (if you’ve watched him play, you would know that; but didn’t know how that would transfer into dancing), and he has an awesome sense of rhythm and a wonderful attitude. Here is Warren and his partner Kym Johnson on last week’s show…

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on September 29, 2008 by Groupies1

6 - C.H.A.N.G.E.

I received a text message last week from a friend of mine that said that C.H.A.N.G.E. means “Come Help A N**** Get Elected.” I must admit that I laughed it off, and went about my way. That is until it showed up in a classroom used by a teacher in Florida. The teacher, Greg Howard, asked his class what change stood for in relation to the Obama campaign and then proceeded to write out the above reply. He has been suspended without pay from the school, but he was transferred to another school to continue teaching.

5 - I Could Look At This All Day

4 - Fantasy Football

My fantasy football team is sucking this year…I’m 1-3…

I’m not happy…that is all.

3 - So, Is This What It Will Take?

A 90-year-old woman shot herself in the chest when sheriffs tried to evict her from her home. Addie Polk has lived in the house since 1970, and the home was in foreclosure (read the story here). The foreclosure action has since been dismissed, and Ms. Addie will be allowed to return to her home.

I just don’t have anything else to say…

2 - ???s

Are there seriously any undecided voters out there?

If you are an undecided voter, what is holding you back?

What is your favorite part on a man’s/woman’s body?

1 - Sorry

Normally The10Spot is posted on Saturday…I had a rough day yesterday. I’ll explain why later.

Toodles, everyone! Have a good day…

Good morning, all! Let’s get right to it…

10 - Cool Hand Luke

This morning greets us with some sad news: Paul Newman, the legendary actor and activist (among other things), has passed. He was 83. There are so many things I could say about Mr. Newman…his organic food company, his charitable donations, his 50-year marriage to Joanne Woodward…but I give you the memory that made me fall in love with him in the first place. He was gorgeous as Brick in “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof”…his performance mesmerized me because he was moody and sulky, and he showed that he was more than a pretty face. I went on to put on my list of favorites “Cool Hand Luke,” “The Hustler,” “The Sting,” and many others.

R.I.P. Mr. Newman…

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on February 3, 2008 by NothingZombie

9 - The Great Debaters

Well…did you watch the debate last night? There were a few things that I was struck by: (1) Even if there was no clear winner, there was also no clear loser. The Old Dude tried to make Obama seem like a naive, inexperienced candidate who didn’t have a grip on what was really going on…I don’t think he did that. Obama held his own. What I saw was two people who disagreed, and when they disagreed, The Old Dude used the “what Obama doesn’t understand” line…; (2) Why couldn’t wouldn’t The Old Dude look at Obama? That seemed very condescending and kinda…elitist to me. You could look at him and just know that he doesn’t like Obama very much…don’t know how this will play to the audience. And another thing…which one do you think looked more presidential? I mean, the one who talked more to policies, or the one who talked more to the people?; and (3) I didn’t like the fact that Obama kept saying that he agreed with The Old Dude on several things, but I understand why he did it. And even when he agreed, he would use it to introduce the differences they had, and followed it up with how he would do things…so in the end it turned out alright.

8 - This Pretty Much Sums It Up

Jack Cafferty on Sarah Palin…

7 - I Could Look At This All Day

H/T to Jack & Jill Politics…if ever you need to know what is going on, go here…these folks have their ear to the ground, and they possess an open forum that is unmatched. I am mainly a lurker, but I enjoy every read over there!

Just look at the way he is looking at Michelle…that is some love right there!

6 - Kill The Messenger!

Chris Rock’s comedy special is on tonight…I for one am looking forward to Chris shredding this political shit apart. He has been on a roll lately, making appearances on Letterman and Larry King live and if this is any indication of what the special is going to be like, we are in for a treat!

5 - Virgin No More

I spent Thursday evening volunteering at my local Obama campaign headquarters, on the phone, calling registered voters. I didn’t like it. I am not at my best on the phone…I just don’t like calling people up on the phone. It made me terribly uncomfortable, but I did it because of my commitment to this campaign. And I plan on doing it again…I believe I have this fear that someone on the other end is going to yell something at me that I don’t want to hear, and even though this person doesn’t know me, I will take that shit personally. I asked if there was something else that I could do to help out, and was told that this is what they needed now. So, this is what I will do.

4 - VH1

VH1 has gathered its list of Top 100 Hip-Hop songs and “Fight The Power” is at #1…well, I am not hating on the choice, but here’s the top 20:

 01 Public Enemy / “Fight The Power”
 02 Sugarhill Gang / “Rapper’s Delight”
 03 Dr. Dre / “Nuthin But A ‘G’ Thang”
 04 Run-DMC ft/ Aerosmith/ “Walk This Way”
 05 Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five / “The Message”
 06 N.W.A. / “Straight Outta Compton”
 07 Notorious B.I.G. / “Juicy”
 08 Snoop Doggy Dogg / “Gin and Juice”
 09 Salt-N-Pepa / “Push It  ”
 10 Kurtis Blow / “The Breaks”
 11 Jay-Z / “Hard Knock Life”
 12 L.L. Cool J / “I Can’t Live Without My Radio”
 13 Wu-Tang Clan /   ”C.R.E.A.M.”
 14 Tupac / “I Get Around ”
 15 Eminem / “Stan ”
 16 Missy Elliott / “Get Ur Freak On”
 17 Sir Mix-A-Lot / “Baby Got Back”
 18 50 Cent / “In Da Club”
 19 Ice T / “Colors”
 20 Kanye West ft/ Jamie Foxx / “Gold Digger”

OK…first of all, no Pac in the top 10? That automatically invalidates this list for me…add to that the fact that Eric B & Rakim and Tribe are missing, but “Gold Digger” and “Baby Got Back” are included? Yeah, OK…and as much as I love Pac, there is no way in hell that “I Get Around” would be the song that I would put on a best of list…these people don’t know what the hell they are doing.

3 - Some Real Hip-Hop

And this didn’t make the cut? Pure bullshit…

2 - You Be The Judge

I hate all this political shit…but I can’t seem to stay away…watch this and you tell me what The Old Dude says…

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on September 26, 2008 by ebaybenjidogg

1 - Senator Kennedy

Senator Kennedy was hospitalized yesterday, apparently after suffering a mild seizure due to a change in his medication (read the story here). He is back home today, and resting. My prayers go out to him, and his family. It says a lot about his spirit that he wanted to go back home so he could watch the debates…always committed, that Teddy…

Happy Saturday y’all! See you tomorrow!