JoMAAAAL (tm Kenneth Green...yes the same one)

Soleil's Dad left very touching comments in response to my 5AM Ramblings so I will respond directly on the blog.

You know it's funny. If I remember correctly, Soleil's Mom was in my African Diaspora and the World class. (Taught by a White Mormon named Dr. White...and maybe it was Chevonne not Shameika. but I digress.) How did our generation of Middle Class black women become uptight? We work hard to make the people who sacrificed for us proud; we work to create a new positive stereotype for the black woman; we've done all of this at the expense of exploring the side of our identity that exists behind closed doors.

Soleil's Mom makes me proud. Not only does she have an amazing education, career, and list of socially aware accomplishments, she's also managed to create a home with a beautiful baby with a loving (black) husband. She's living the American Dream, one that many young blacks (regardless of socio economic background) are convinced they won't achieve entirely, and your role in that makes me proud.

Enough with the sappy BS. I'm glad you saw a black sappy movie on opening weekend even though you need to prepare for the Oscars.

Oh yeah- I know we've had this discussion before, but YOU KNOW if Meik's hair looked crazy you'd be annoyed.

Crap!

My alarm just went off, and I still haven't been to bed.

My 5 AM Musings

It's after 5 AM and I'm still awake. I'm sure this post is going to be disjointed and crazy as hell, but what else am I going to do at this hour?

1. This for the ladies: If you suffer from intense menstrual cramps and you decide pop Midol all day long so you can seem somewhat normal, please remember that it is LOADED with caffeine. You may find yourself cramp free blogging the night away. You'll need to take the meds the next day to fight off your crabbiness due to lack of sleep.

2. People piss me off. I know that's nothing new, so I'll share my latest annoyances:

Issue #1

On Tuesday, The Washington Post did a piece on a study that ties political leanings to racial biases. (Deep Breath). Interesting, but the whole time I was thinking, "tell me something I don't know". Whatever. Then I stumbled across a link to an idiot's (namely Rick Roberts) blog with a response to the study. I'll just say, some people miss the point and I'll allow you to get pissed the same way I did. Enjoy.

Issue #2

Friday's Oprah featured the hilarious and now certifiable Dave Chapelle. This show was the most uncomfortable hour of television all week long. What happened Dave?

Issue #3

My love hate relationship with Television Without Pity and Starting Over must end. I'll agree, Iyanla does some pretty questionable things on the show, but the comments on TWoP have crossed over to blatantly racist and they make my stomach turn. The constant comparison of Vanzant's appearance to a donkey's is really beginning to make me mad. These people are just the type to really believe they have no racial biases. See Issue #1.



3. I saw Something New this evening. There were a few interesting things about this experience. The first was the email from MB with a synopsis asking if I was going. This is only interesting because I thought it was a movie for me/black women, I didn't realize that other people (especially gay white males) were interested in seeing this film.

I went to the movies alone and encountered the second interesting item. There were 4 other black women attending the movie alone. Hmmmm.... I must mention that by 15 minutes into the story the theater was packed with other black women, many on dates with black men.

There were three white parties in the theater, one was seated next to me and another was seated directly behind me. I don't know why that's interesting. It's 5AM whatever.

Now, let's talk about the movie. I could relate to Kenya in many ways.

1. She had a list of things she just "didn't do".

*So do I!

2. She had a list of qualities she wanted in a mate. (Employed, articulate, college degree, and black)

*This list doesn't seem too outrageous to me because it looks like my list. I guess the list is 3 items too long.

3. She was slightly anal retentive.

*You know, we've both got a lot of lists. I never thought of myself as AR, but people keep hinting that I might be.

Without giving the story away, I found the heroine to be sad and unsatisfied through most of the movie. On further reflection I wonder if I'm projecting my feelings on the movie. I'd be curious to hear what other people think.

I just ran across this review of the movie on salon. I believe the reviewer is white. There are a couple of things I would take Zacharek to task about, but this is the part that stuck out in my mind:

"Kenya is whiter than Brian is..."

You know where I'm going with that so I'll leave on a positive note. I LOVE Alfre Woodard! Between this and Desperate Housewives, she's moving to the top of my favorite actress list.

Disclamer: I am fully aware that I carry my own set of biases regarding race among many other things.

What a difference a day makes

In 12 short hours, I received a new job assignment through April; I drove myself to the car dealership and picked up my baby. The cost was half of the estimate and Audi handled returning the rental car. What more can I ask for?

The only thing left is to get rid of my sickness so that I can actually visit my father in the hospital.

(Adding the picture is sick...I know)

Some Days Life Just Sucks

I've been having a rough go of it for the past few days. Nothing monumental, just several annoyances poised to push me over the edge.

Let's start with my baby...my car.

After a wild goose real estate chase on Sunday, I left my dome light on in my car. Since I didn't have to go to work until 6:30pm on Monday, my first visit to my lovely auto was at 4pm. What did I find? A dim light on overhead, and a very dead battery.

It was raining, of course. No one had jumper cables (myself included). Finally, some guy and his girlfriend stopped to help. After two failed attempts to jump my car, I gave up, called Enterprise and got dressed for work.

While at work I noticed post - nasal drip that developed into frequent sneezing and slight misery. Julia and five people at work had the same exact thing. I vowed to go to the doctor on Tuesday. Would that be before or after I dealt with the car?

The doctor gave me meds, progressive sent out someone to unlock the doors (because fancy power locks, don't work without power, even if you use the key and not the remote.) The guy opened my doors, got the engine to turn over, but no fuel was going through and the car would not run. I needed a tow.

After 2 hours at the doctor, an hour waiting for the first service guy, an hour with the service guy trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with my car, and 2 hours waiting for the tow company of Frick and Overly Fried Bimbo my poor car was finally on his way to Audi. My father began his hospital stay and I was resigned to paying for the rental car for another day. Somewhere around 6pm, the fever took over and sent me to dreamland.

The dealership still has no idea what is wrong with my car that has been in their possession for over 24 hours and now I’m paying by the hour. My father is in the hospital all by himself after getting some strange treatment, and I’m feeling pretty guilty for a) feeling bad because I’m sick and things aren’t going my way and b) for not being with my dad right now as he goes through his scary treatments.

I hope that things will turn around soon. I’m finished ranting for now. I’ll do Oprah’s plan of remembering the blessings before bed.

Shout out to South Beach!

Tonight the fabulous, beautiful and talented Carrie Hartman was on UPN's South Beach tonight.

OK.... Just her credit was shown tonight, but we are convinced that she will be on next Wednesday. (Any excuse to get my tail back over to Holland's big beautiful plasma television.)

Congratulations Carrie.

Congratulations!!!!

Ding, ding, ding! Jomal wins the prize as my first friend to have a child.

Soleil Ariana Vailes was born on Wednesday.

Congratulations Jomal. I'm sure Soleil will bring you endless joy.

P.S. Your house looks beautiful.

Blah, blah, blah, pixie dust

Click here for pictures of my Magic Kingdom friends.

The Happiest Place on Earth

Over the past few months I was lucky enough to work with a great group of actors and musicians. These people were dedicated to their craft and to their families, in addition to being very happy at work. (A direct contrast to my previous work experience.) The next few posts will be dedicated to the people who make magic for 150,000 strangers a week, and made magic for me every day.

Way to go Martha!

Dear Martha,

In 48 short minutes, you have shown me why Julia and I are the only two people in America watching your version of The Apprentice. Who knew that a competitive reality finale could be so underwhelming?

Take this opportunity to spend more time with your snippy daughter, and enjoy your garden. You are not a good fit for the reality television line up.

Continued Success.

A Reality TV Junkie.
P.S. Randal says hello.

I am so MAD at Donald Trump!

I just have to get this off my chest.

IF YOU WANTED TO HIRE REBECCA AS THE APPRENTICE TOO YOU SHOULD'VE JUST DONE IT!

Beyond that, is it a coincidence that the only time you ask winner if the runner-up should be the apprentice too is when he's black?

Whatever. DT it's your show and you completely undermined the whole process by putting Randal on the spot. I'm proud of Randal for saying no. That's the kind of decision you would have appreciated in the boardroom. I'm just sorry that the Pollyanna viewers have forgotten the spirit of the show and now despise Randal because he fought for himself.

At least I'm not forced to hear Rebecca sing Christmas songs as evidence that she should've won.

A Dream(girl) Come True

Some people play fantasy football. I play fantasy casting. My spring game? The new Dreamgirls movie.

I'm also a BIG fan of American Idol. During Season 3 there was a Wild Card finalist that really caught my eye. After seeing Jennifer Hudson's performances of Circle of Life and Weekend in New England I was convinced that I'd seen the perfect Effie White. When I heard the Dreamgirls film was finally going into production my wheels started turning. Ms. Hudson has more than just a great voice. She is confident in her singing, unapologetic about her physicality (and pleasant to look at). While grand on stage, she is still a little rough around the edges which is a great complement to the ever "worldly" Beyonce Knowles who has been slated to be Deena for awhile.

During the American Idol 4 finale in May, I had a conversation with George Huff (who was quite gracious considering I was one of many crazy fans) about the movie and how I thought Jennifer would make a perfect Effie White. We exchanged several "fabulous, fierce, and over" comments and he mentioned that she was having a hard time getting someone to see her. A few months later I heard from a reputable source that Fantasia was going to be assuming the Effie White role. I was crushed.

But tonight? I stumbled across Broadway World's announcement...Jennifer Hudson would star in Dreamgirls as Effie. I'm still dancing around the living room.


For your amusement, here is my fantasy Dreamgirls Principal List:

Effie White.....Jennifer Hudson*
Deena Jones....Beyonce Knowles*
Lorrell Robinson....Fantasia Barrino
Michelle Morris(The Stepp Sister who competed at the Apollo who was seen at the end of Act I wearing the dress)...Anika Noni Rose

Curtis Taylor...Jesse L. Martin (I believe Jamie Foxx is actually cast in this role)
James "Thunder" Early...Jamie Foxx (I believe Eddie Murphy is actually cast in this role)
CC White...Usher (or Chester Gregory from Hairspray if Usher is unavailable)
Marty...Alton White (of the ever effervescent James Alexander for that matter)
* actually cast in the movie in the role

I guess I won't be getting Jennifer to star in my project. She is going to want big money after this movie.

Click here to listen to Jennifer Hudson.


While I'm thinking about fabulous singers in musicals, a big congratulations goes to my fellow Spelmanite Maia Wilson who is currently in a featured role in the Color Purple. I have heard from several people that she is a part of one of the best elements in the show. I knew she was a star in school. I feel lucky to have shared a stage with her.

My dream bumper sticker

My first impulse was to put this on my car. Then I remembered that I live in Jeb country. Maybe one of my blue state friends can purchase this bumper sticker.


george W bush - john F kerry -- Hmmmmm the only way you can be offended is if your mind is in the gutter.


http://dontblamemeivoted4kerry.com/

The best hour in reality TV history

For those of you who enjoyed 2 weeks of Marguerite "God Warrior" Perrin, listen to the Trading Spouses: Meet Your New Mommy: The Remix.... "Dork-Sided!"

You can also bid on your very own God Warrior.

Thank you Fox, first American Idol, and now Trading Spouses. Someone needs an award.

I thought my haircut was bad

I ran across this picture of the Baltimore Hair Massacre (not to be confused with the Baltimore Email Massacre....never underestimate the power of 2).