What's the Score?

Its almost Week 9 in the NFL and the Patriots are undefeated, which pleases me to NO END. But apparently there are so folks who are unhappy that the Patriots are beating their opponents by over three touchdowns a game and are saying the Patriots are running up the score. Running up the score? Seriously? Is this Pop Warner? Are we 8 years old? These men get paid MILLIONS to play this sport and to WIN and quite honestly I have little sympathy for a team that gets decidedly defeated.

There have been many articles and discussions about this in the past few weeks and this is what I have to say about it. I don't really care if you agree or disagree, but as a Pats fan, these are my thoughts:

People in New England don't give a fawk and don't think that scoring points, which is the POINT of the game is a problem. Its those that have been summarily destroyed that are complaining about "running up the score." Its funny, because during Indy's dominance, or the 72 Dolphin's run, or the Rams golden years there wasn't this kind of outrage. I understand that the Patriots aren't likable - especially our coach and that probably has something to do with it. But lets be real here. If it were the colts dismantling opponents, no one would question WHY Tony Dungy kept his offense on the field rather than merely kicking it away.

Speaking of keeping the offense on the field, that is my one concern. Keeping certain skill players in the game with a sizable lead can be dangerous, but since I drink the kool aid, I'm sure Belichick knows what he's doing and I'm sure if he gets the lead/division/bye week in hand, this will change.

One should also remember that the Patriots blew an 18 point lead vs Indy last season in the AFC Championship game, just missing the Superbowl. So quite honestly, so long as they win i don't care. If a team loses by say 50-0 like the PATRIOTS did to the historic 72 Dolphins, maybe, just maybe they DESERVE it, because they should have stopped them. Other teams need to put up or shut up.

Can we talk about this "outrage" a little bit? What are the Patriots supposed to do, stop playing in the third quarter to give the other team a chance to catch up? Give them the ball, spot them 30 yards and say "your turn!"? Imagine that. Yes, the Patriots went for it on 4th down, twice. And why NOT? How often do they get this sort of opportunity to attempt to go for it on a 4th down with little or no consequence? And, THEN Matt Cassel scored. Matt Cassel is the back up quarterback that wasn't even a starter in COLLEGE. And HE SCORED. I don't know much, but I do know that if you can't stop Matt Cassel from scampering into the end zone, you have bigger problems that the Patriots running up the score.

Ok, I know I'm biased, and I wouldn't like it if it was the Colts running through their opponents in the first 8 weeks of the season. But it wouldn't be THEIR fault the rest of the league certainly couldn't stop them and couldn't even get close to containing them.

So the first half of the season is over, and all that matters is week 9 - Superbowl 41 & a 1/2. And no matter what happens, the Pats will STILL be my squad at the end of the day.

I have a pink hat and still know more than you do

I listen to sports radio every day at work and over the past few weeks, callers and the radio guys have been referring to some fans, particularly female fans as "pink hats". From what I understand their definition of a "pink hat" is literally the fans in the stands wearing pink hats or other trendy team apparel. But the title of "pink hat" is used far more symbolically to represent fans that don't know much about the team, league, sport etc. that are merely there because it is trendy now to support a team or be at a certain sporting event. So I got to thinking...

...And that is when I got offended. I have pink hats...3 to be exact - one for each of my teams - Pats, Celts and Sox. (The Bruins are a lost cause) So these rocket scientists calling in think just because 1. I'm female, 2. I wear cute hats I must not know about the sport. Well, I got news for them...

1. I've been a Pats fan since I was 8...I can tell you all about Gino, Steve, Tedy and the rest of em. I can pick a game with the best of em, and my fantasy teams for the most part are all KICKIN ASS. Oh did I mention I have FIVE fantasy teams?

2. I too am a long suffering Sox fan....through the lore of the Babe and more recently Buckner and Boone...I was 10 years old chasing down Oil Can Boyd and Jim Rice trying to get autographs. I hate the Yankees just as much as any red blooded New Englander.

3. The Celtics and I have had a tumultuous relationship as of late, since they spoiled me so as a tot. In the 20 plus years since their last championship I've loved them...Dee Brown, hated them...employee #8, given up on pro basketball altogether and found myself having sympathy for Paul Pierce.

And don't get me started on college basketball...

So to Dale and Holly, the guys on the Big Show and Mikey's show, guess what? I'm confident I know more about the teams, their opponents and their leagues as a whole than most of your callers and could probably go toe to toe with all of you too...while wearing my pink hat and coordinating t shirt.

I say all of this to say...maybe you shouldn't judge a book by its cover...and maybe u need a "pink" point of view on your shows...

Some People Play too Much...The Its Been a Long Time Since I Left You Special Edition

Yes, i know. Its been entirely too long since I've left you. But even in this long lapse since I've last visited, people are STILL playing too much....here are just a few examples...

1. Diddy now owns 50% of Ciroc and now will oversee the management of the tasty vodka brand. Diddy, do you think you JUST discovered this tasty beverage? Me and mine have been enjoying Ciroc since before you ever tried to make a band. You play too much.

2. Sports Illustrated's NBA Preview issue is out this week, and they predict that Danny Ainge will be Executive of the Year. Do a couple of nice offseason moves automatically crown him the best of the league? How quickly we forget Antoine Walker. SI plays too much.

3. Speaking of Antoine Walker, Is it me, or is Kevin McHale the BIGGEST Celtics fan out there? Thank you, Kevin for Kay Gee, but I'm pretty sure that the people of Minnesota think you play too much.

4. Have you seen I love New York, 2? So have I. We both play too much.

Manny, why can't we quit you? Randy is Dandy! Celtics Media Day and other sports thoughts...

I haven't writtien much since the football season has begun...but right now is a fantastic time for New England sports...the Pats are back in action...the Red Sox are in the pennant hunt, today is Celtics media day with all of the new additions...and the Bruins are losing pre season games (3 outta 4 aren't bad).

Red Sox Nation is once again being tortured by our beloved baseball team. I swear being a red sox fan is like being in an abusive relationship...they throw you down the stairs, promise to never do it again....things get better, and then they throw you down the stairs again. I mean, they've made the play offs, but the magic number is TWO.

And Manny. Manny. Manny. Manny. Manny. Aye Dios Mios. Can you decide if you want to play for the Sox or not? Its like everytime he gets up to bat he's trying to decide if the fans love him enough to hit a home run. Play. Don't play. JUST DECIDE! Alas, so long as he is ours, I will love him...I will have hope in my heart every at bat and will make excuses for his poor field play..."Manny being Manny." Oh Manny, why can't I quit you!

I hate the Yankees...and I think I'd like for A rod to go away. Forever. And take Barry Bonds and Milton Bradley with him.

The Patriots *sigh* oh how I love them so...they have looked strong in the first three games, but they have a big test this week, and definitely there is room to improve...but aside from that...I have some thoughts on this new season:

RANDY IS DANDY! Thank you, Oakland, for trading randy to us for a PB&J sammich (or a 4th round pick, same thing). In 3 games he has 400 yards and 5 TDs. He doesn't have to be a leader, talk to the media...hell he can NEVER do a press conference again, so long as he stays in the end zone. My only gripe is that I don't have him on ANY of my fantasy football teams.

Adalius Thomas, I realized my love for you as you trudged down into the end zone. Welcome home.

Sammie Morris and Wes Welker - I'm so happy they don't play for Miami anymore. I'm so happy Bill convince you both to join the pats....speaking of Bill...

FAWK YOUR TAPE

APB: Larry Johnson, Vernon Davis, Marc Bulger, Steven Jackson and the NO Saints. Please alert the authorities if you see any of these men.

I now hate the Chargers more than I hate the Colts. That's a lot of hate. However, not more than I hate the Yankees.

Tom Brady's baby is cute. So is Tom Brady. But, I'm all set with his gold digging baby mama.

Not long ago, I mentioned that Danny Ainge has finally stopped playing so much. Well he has, for now. Paul Pierce. Ray Allen, KAYGEE! We suddenly have an offense. I suddenly actually want to watch the Celtics. This is a new development. Though I'm displeased about James Posey...I hate him...he went to Xavier...I went to GW...we don't play nice when it comes to basketball.

There is a hockey team too...the Bruins...however they are a DISTANT fourth in this NE sports fan's heart. They are the Patriots of the 70's. The Celtics of the past 10 years...the red sox of that 86 year drought. Yeah, they are that bad.

However, here's to fall...when all of my teams are playing and my love of my teams is at an all time HIGH!

The trouble with being honest...

We've all heard the old addage "honesty is the best policy". Well, I'm not so sure that its true. You see, sometimes honesty cuts just as deep as a lie...maybe even a little deeper.

The trouble with being honest is that sometimes telling the truth can ruin things just as quickly and systematically as a lie can.

Everyone seems to have a story about the one that got away. And this is mine...with a twist.

We met when he visited my school - he was thinking about transferring there to play ball. I was a junior, and in a relationship. He wasn't the only one that was visiting, but he was the only one I connected with. It was my job to help entertain him and the others, and to make sure they thought our school was the best choice for them. It wasn't particularly exciting, this visit, as I had facilitated a few others over the years I worked for the team. It was just a part of what I did. And it was just work to me, at first.

They were a particularly large group, and we had a few activities planned on the record. Off the record, I made sure there were plenty of social activities on and off campus for them to enjoy. The visit started with a trip out to coach's mini mansion. I was in the car with one of the assistant coaches, the one that got away (lets call him J) and J's mom. At first we didn't say much, but we got to talking on the long ride out to coach's and realized we had a little bit in common. He wasn't as young as i thought - he was transferring from a junior college, so we were actually the same age. Once we got there, we had some snacks, watched the HUGE tv, chit chatted and got the spiel about why my school was right for them. Blah, blah, blah. We left, went back to campus and got ready for dinner.

On the way to dinner he and I were getting to know each other even more and one of the young guys was trying his hand with me, making smart comments and what not. This was not new territory to me...these young guys will try their hand with ANY female who gives them the time of day, they aren't nothing but horny toads. However, J was not having it and put the young boy in check. At first, I didn't think anything of this. But I realized later this was the start of it.

Dinner proceeded without incident and we went on to one of my "unscheduled" activities: a trip to a local bar for some dancing, well placed women and drinks (well at least for me). Everyone was having a good time, I had rounded up some of the campus groupies and were letting things take their course as I sat back and enjoyed some beverages. But there was one strange thing, J sorta was sticking to me - wanting to dance with me, etc. So we were dancing, innocently at first, but things started to get a little heated, to the point I had to remind myself I had a boyfriend (even if he was in New York). Finally I had to say goodnight to J and get some distance. As it turns out, my boyfriend at the time was on his way from New York to see me.

The next morning I left my boyfriend to go see the guys at breakfast and practice. The visit ended after practice and I exchanged information with J and his mom. That was that. I spoke to his mom from time to time but he and I didn't keep in touch over the summer. Fall arrived and we picked up the friendship where it left off. We hung out all the time, he even tried to fix me up with his boy that visited often from NY. But then...

My ex and I were having issues, and we were both doing our thing. My thing just happening to be getting done with J. It started innocently, but we added liquor to the mix, and inevitably what started on the dance floor during his visit ended up in the bed. repeatedly. This was all fine and good for awhile...my ex and I broke up so there was no conflict. J and I weren't together, it was what it was, we were just kickin it and having a good time. But we were still best friends.

No one really knew what was going on between us. One or two people close to us may have suspected it, but they never said anything and I certainly wasn't putting my business out there. Working with the team and being around them all of the time taught me that. I didn't want things to be messy.

We dealt with each other off and on, until his ex girlfriend turned up pregnant. He felt an obligation to make that situation work, so he and I stopped messing around. He was still Clyde to my Bonnie. I actually accepted baby mama with open arms, while remaining FIERCELY protective of J. We still did everything for each other - when the baby was born in the middle of an important tournament, one of my good friends and I were the ones that drove him back 3 hours to make the game after the birth.

In the meantime, I was seeing someone else from the same area J was from (this will prove relevant, momentarily) until I found a new boyfriend (I was big on boyfriends back then, not so much anymore though). J was just as loyal and protective as I was. This boyfriend and I got into an argument and he pushed me. I was upset, called a girlfriend who was on IM with another girlfriend, whose boyfriend was there with her. Boyfriend was close to J, too and called J. J was at my house not 15 minutes after the incident. It was THAT kind of relationship.

And then J found himself in some trouble at school and out of a place to live. I was all set to change everything - let my boyfriend walk away and have J come stay with me so he could stay in the area and in school - and J turned his back on me. J found out about my dealings with that someone else from the same area J was from. He hated him and took it as me being disloyal to him for even dealing with this guy. J is old school, very "death before dishonor" and loyalty first and at the time he couldn't get past it. He moved back to NY and fell off the face of the earth. I would hear from him every now and again, but it was scattered and we certainly weren't Bonnie and Clyde anymore. And then even that stopped.

I would get updates on how he was doing and the like from the other guys, but I hadn't heard from him for about 3 years. Then all of a sudden I was back visiting campus and at the neighborhood spot waiting on a friend and in he walks. It was awkward, and tense. We exchanged a few words, while I prayed my friend would get there QUICKLY and he gave me his contact info. This was two years ago. I never got up the nerve to call him or contact him. I thought our relationship was so splintered that it couldn't be repaired and I was scared to be rejected by him again.

Fast forward to Saturday (yes, 5 days ago). I had a glass of wine or two too many and sent him an errant text message. "what's up". He replied Sunday night. It was normal text banter, how are you and the like. And then last night, my phone rings. Its HIM. (can you hear my heart beating?) We start talking about whats going on with each of us, who we keep up with and that sort of thing. He brings up our relationship situations - neither of us are involved in anything. And then he brings up US. What happened and why and how things were. We both knew we had to stop messing with each other when we did, because we both were dangerously close (c) to catching feelings that we couldn't have. Feelings he says he still thinks about. He mentions our falling out and the fact that he realized I WAS loyal to him - that I didn't know how he felt about the guy until after the fact (I may have been wrong about not owning up to it when i realized his distaste for him, but that's neither here nor there) and I didn't EVER set out to hurt him. That through it all, I'm still the one thinking and worrying about him. Then the question, "So what would you think about us now?". I. Don't. Know. I'm so happy to have him back in my life, to know he's OK. But now, what? There's the twist.

He and I have VERY different backgrounds, and while I was always comfy in my middle class life, he always struggled and lived in places I probably couldn't imagine. And yet we were always "ride or die" (his words not mine). I almost came to BLOWS for/over him on a few occasions. And even now, we are so different but that love, loyalty and protectiveness is back and so strong.

I don't know what my next move is and I don't know what will happen next. I do know that he may have been the one that got away but now I have to decide if he's the one I want to keep.

On Video-Gate...

As a Patriots fan, I feel obligated to comment on the recent sanctions taken against Bill Belichick and the Patriots organization. Its funny that more than a few people asked me...well, why haven't you said anything about all of this. Quite honestly, I didn't' think I was the communications director for this NFL franchise, but that is neither here nor there. This is my opinion, and you know what? It's biased. I'm a Patriots Fan...and I'm still wearing my jersey today in spite of this "controversy."
So, here goes...
Bill Belichick was wrong; he broke the rules. The Commissioner levied his punishment. Let's move on. Do I think Bill Belichick is a cheater, eh, I guess by definition, yes, but in reality is it cheating if everyone does it? Because I am NOT convinced this is limited to the Patriots organization. It is convenient to football pundits and opposing fans to think only the Patriots would do such a thing, but that's naive, and wishful thinking. Every team has broken a rule, at some time or another. The Patriots f*c$ed up AND got caught. Please save your righteous indignation for someone else.
Does this tarnish the Patriots history? A little. But not to the extent that championships should be called into question. I mean , look at it this way. The tape was taken early in the first quarter of the game. How then, does one explain the ass-whooping the Jets received after that point.
Eric Mangini. Let me say this. I've not been a fan of him since he left after one year as defensive coordinator with the Patriots. He's the coach of the Jets. He's the one that blew the whistle. Do you think he doesn't have the same techniques and practices as Bill Belichick and Romeo Crennel (another former Belichick coordinator)? Mangini has some sort of axe to grind with Bill Belichick and that is apparent. This was his way of doing so. I have no respect for him at all. If this were something that say Tony Dungy brought to the league's attention, it would be different. But it was Mangini, who clearly has some unresolved issues when it comes to the Patriots.
Bill Belichick and Bob Kraft and the Patriots have been given their punishment; but they are in a no-win situation. If they beat the Chargers, it will be because they had tapes on them. If they don't it will be because they didn't. The Patriots have proven to be imperfect, and perhaps not worthy of being put up on that pedestal we fans have placed them. However, this incident seems to be the rationalization opposing fans needed to fuel and explain their disdain for the Patriots. So be it. Bill Belichick may not be the most lovable coach, but he's ours. And none of this has changed the fact that I love my Patriots AND Bill Belichick.

Because you don't know if they'll be here next year...

This weekend was my annual family get together/reunion. My cousin said something that stood out to me, when she showed me a picture of my great aunt and uncle.

"I'm so glad I got such a great shot where they look so carefree...because you don't know if they'll be here next year."

Wow. And then it hit me. My grandfather was one of 13 siblings. The children of Portuguese immigrants who came through Ellis Island at the turn of the twentieth century and raised a family of 13 children in a rather small 4 bedroom house just one block away from where I live now. But now there are only 4 of them and 4 of their spouses left. I lost my grandfather when I was 12, but always had one of the many aunts and uncles that I could turn to. It saddens me to realize that slowly, we are losing them.

So much of who I am today can be traced to having such a rich history. My great grandparents came here poor and built not only their own lives, but a foundation for our entire family. They are, no, we are, the epitome of the American Dream. My great grandfather became a citizen of the United States after he had retired. It was so very important to him, as he considered himself an American. He was never formally educated but worked hard to learn how to read and write and pass his citizenship test. One of his proudest moments was when he voted for the very first time. Their children - my great uncles became chiefs of the fire department, engineers and electricians and my aunts went on to raise families. Their families - my mother's generation - continued the tradition of working and leading the fire department, engineers, lawyers, chemists, and raising families. And now my generation is still leading the fire department, teaching, getting MBAs and beginning to raise our own families.

I find it absolutely amazing that just 100 years ago my family had nothing - literally just the bags they carried on the ship from the Azores and now we are the American Dream.

I have my great grandparents and their children - my grandfather's generation - to thank for that. They built a family that they all can be proud of. Realizing this all over the past couple of days has made it very important to me to make sure we immortalize as much of our history as we can. My first task is to visit Ellis Island and see where it started for my great grandparents. I hope to accomplish that this fall. When I do, I'll write more about it here.

A Temporary Disruption...

"This is a temporary disruption that is being addressed by the government and private sector"

These are the very words George W. Bush used when addressing the press in the days following Hurricane Katrina. To him, the hurricane that displaced thousands and basically ruined one of the treasures of the American South was nothing but a temporary disruption.

In case you were too busy to notice, last week marked the 2 year anniversary of the devastating storm that crippled the big easy. The anniversary may have passed you by...the news media was too busy obsessing over the coverage of the 10 year anniversary of Princess Diana's death to cover it. You see, in this country, we are way more concerned about the 10 year old death of one wealthy, British white woman than the deaths of dozens of poor, black Americans, not to mention the destruction of thousands of lives.

I still can not wrap my mind around the devastation and what I perceive as a lack of response by MY government to this devastation. Issues of poverty, politics, race and class are still emerging in a new light and must be addressed.

My personal ramblings from exactly two years ago today follows...what scares me the most is that not much has changed. There are Katrina refugees trying to cling to what little they have in trailers that FEMA is threatening to take from them and the cycle of poverty and desperation and crime that was magnified in the days immediately following Katrina is still festering in the gulf coast.

September 6, 2005

Hurricane Katrina has DEVASTATED the gulf coast. Though there is devastation throughout the south, the city of New Orleans is at the center of a crisis in this country. Thousands of AMERICAN citizens have lost everything. Many had very little to begin with and now with no homes or jobs are in a state of desperation many of us can’t even comprehend.

It is my opinion that the US government on all levels has failed its citizens. How can the local authorities recommend evacuation of the area via radio and tv but at the same time make no effort to transport the poor, the needy, the sick and even those most dependent on that authority -- the prisoners in the local jail out of harm’s way? There were no evacuation plans that addressed the poor and black of New Orleans. Its as if the current administration views these lives as useless – and are leaving them behind. Why was there not more done to get the citizens of New Orleans OUT when the government knew that the storm was coming?

These citizens of New Orleans, like millions of others, have been left behind by society in so many ways – living in horrible housing projects, in a system designed to keep them oppressed and now figuratively and literally left behind by local and federal officials who failed to design an evacuation system for people too poor to leave under their own power.

As the greatest nation in the world, why couldn't we have gotten food, water, personnel and equipment there sooner?

There are many issues that I don’t understand and I’m searching for answers.

If such a storm was predicted, why were national guard troops and the American red cross not mobilized sooner? And why is it taking so long to get citizens who have lost everything out of what truly looks like a war zone in a third world country. But its not a third world country. Its America, the greatest nation in the world. I don’t understand why FEMA or the National Guard didn’t get down there sooner. Why did it take George Bush 5 days to get to the gulf coast? If we can get troops into Iraq within 24 hours, why can’t we get them into New Orleans? Why were supplies not dropped using air support sooner? Why, on Saturday are citizens still trapped in their homes and a CNN helicopter was dropping water to them? CNN??????????

I know that help is finally getting through, six days later, and I’m thankful for that and I know that we can not blame a natural disaster on the president or the government. But we can not turn a blind eye to the Bush administration’s politicized and delayed response that made this disaster worse than it had to be. President Bush remained on vacation as the hurricane ravaged the gulf coast and flew over the affected areas on his way back to the white house – all wasted time. Furthermore, I am not confident that the administration will address the can of socio-economical worms that have been opened by Katrina.

The death toll from Katrina across the gulf coast rises every day, with the vast majority of the dead not even found or accounted for in New Orleans. I believe more will die from Katrina than 9/11. And this is not to downplay the horror and tragedy of 9/11. But the difference with Katrina is that most of the dead will be poor African Americans. Do you think George Bush will declare a war on poverty as he did on terror? There is no convenient foreign enemy this time – and in actuality the enemy is something that has been built and cultivated in this country for decades. More than likely, he will not declare any sort of war on poverty. Given his track record with the war on terror, I’m not sure it would even matter if he did. It appears more of a priority to instill democracy in a foreign country. I’m uncomfortable with the idea that its more important to solve the perceived problems in another nation than it is to solve our own nation’s problems.

I am angry as I hear people say they don’t understand why folks didn’t leave as they watch a sea of desperate black faces calling out for help. The evacuation largely excluded the poorest of New Orleans. As if they WANTED to stay down there when this was going on or wanted to be stranded in attics and on rooftops. Its very easy for people in their nice, clean clothes as they sit around their offices and jobs with full stomachs and a home to go to with a stocked refrigerator to ask such a thing. But imagine if every day was a struggle, and you didn’t know how you were going to pay the rent AND feed your children, never mind actually having a car. So with that, how do you leave? You literally do not have the money to rent a car, buy a bus, plane or train ticket (they all were sold out anyway). Your family and everything you know is in New Orleans, you have no where to go. YES they are that poor – Now what exactly would you do? They go to a shelter – the Superdome, which has turned into hell on earth. I am SICK of hearing affluent and comfortable people question this – YES, some people made a conscious decision to stay, but thousands did NOT.

I want to know why it is taking so long to help OUR people – they are Americans, just like I am – they are my people. I wonder if this happened in Texas or Florida would it have take as long. Hopefully we will never see this kind of destruction again. But I just can’t help but wonder if it was 50,000 white faces calling out for help how long it would have taken.

While racism is a taboo in this country and in many ways the skeleton in all of our closets, this tragedy and lack of response is something of an economic cleansing where ethnic cleansing would not be acceptable. I'm not surprised that chaos and self armament and looting has started in the face of such desperate conditions that our people have been abandoned in. Everyone deserves care and dignity.

I get agitated and upset when I watch the major media outlets cover this tragedy. I have noticed underlying racial divides in the coverage. Why is it that black citizens taking food and supplies are looting but white citizens doing the same are “finding, surviving or fending for their families.” ? There are stories of thugs and lawlessness and anarchy – and it is implied that these rogue elements are black, when in actuality there are only a FEW people doing wrong – more than likely the same few that were lawless BEFORE the hurricane struck.

The conditions facing OUR people in New Orleans are worse than any words I could ever form to describe them. But above all of that, the citizens are scared, yet they are helping each other. They are hungry, tired, thirsty and scared, sick, hot and desperate to get out of what was once a vibrant city. They are trying to help each other as they wait for their country and their government to bring in much needed help.

Explain to me how it is that the federal government involved itself in the Terry Schiavo case, yet couldn’t do more here. Terry Schiavo was a brain dead white woman whose family was fighting with her husband to keep her alive. They asked the government for help and the government attempted to pass legislation to save her – brain dead and all. No one had to beg and plead on national tv from what is basically a swamp for the government to intervene and help her. Yet the mayor of New Orleans had to give an expletive laced diatribe on the radio before real help started to roll in.

Why does the media portray our poor black citizens in such a negative light – especially when THOUSANDS waited patiently at the superdome, convention center and elsewhere in the city – all they wanted was fresh water, food, medical attention and shelter.

We keep hearing horrible stories coming out of New Orleans – well, here is a story of the good. This story is that of someone I know in Washington DC. His roots and family are in New Orleans. His brother is a strong black man and is also one of my heroes.

“ I just hung up with my brother and his wife. They are in good spirits, as good as can be expected I guess, but just happy to be somewhere dry and be able to get clean and have a meal. Friends of my sister in law have taken them in for the time being. The baby is full of energy and excited beyond belief, I can hear her laughing in the background and basically being a kid, which is a pleasant relief. The three of them along with my sister in laws brother are all together, she has not been able to reach her dad, who is in Atlanta to let them know they are ok. I keep calling, but the only number we have is his cell and since it’s on a 504 exchange, there is no way to get through. He had been visiting family there before the storm and was unable to get back, so she's sure he is worried about their safety. His home, the house my sister in law grew up in, is completely covered in water as well. He lives about 3 minutes from my mother, but closer to Bayou St. John which was overcome with water when the levee broke. They have had no contact as of yet with her older brother, who lived in the lower 9th ward, but we are all praying for the best.

My brother is EXHAUSTED. I cried when I told him how proud I was of him, that he was able to get everyone to safety and keep everyone calm under the worst possible circumstances. He has always been a very resourceful man and his strength has been their anchor through all of this. When he realized everyone would not be able to get out of the city before the storm, he did the next best thing and got as much of my family as he could to the hotel he manages so that they would all be together. He made sure they had food, water, blankets and the like, and then set out to do the same for his employees families, and the guests still stranded at the hotel. Before the worse came he had the foresight to raid the kitchens and storage to get as much food as he could up to the rooms, and even made a stash of sorts in one of the rooms. A lot of it was lost when all the windows blew out of the hotel, and some went bad when they lost power. Once he realized that there was no way to stay in the hotel any longer, he got everyone out. With no power, no communication at all he single handedly got what we know is left of my family to safety, I will forever be in awe of him for that. My little brother is more of a man than anyone I can think of right now.........

My mother and one of my aunts are also in Baton Rouge. We haven’t been able to get through to them since last night, but we know they are safe. Last I checked they were on the way to a drug store to get some of her prescriptions filled but they are ok. She had a couple panic attacks, and is in general not in the greatest of health, but she was pretty up beat when I spoke with her late last night. She was happy to have finally had a bath and something to eat that didn’t come from a can. Tired doesn’t even began to describe the sound in her voice, but I am just glad she is ok.

But reality is setting in now for my brother and his wife. They have been trying to reach the flood insurance company (thank god they had insurance) and have thus far been unable to get through. They have only the clothes on their back and what supplies they were able to get into the trunks of the cars. My sister in law had the foresight to get all of their identification and important papers out so they are now trying to piece things together. My brother is trying to reach his hotels corporate office to see if they can put him and his family up somewhere until they figure out what to do, but so far nothing. There is talk of going to Houston to more family and hopefully work, but right now nothing is certain. He says today he may go out to the local McDonalds or Popeye’s to try to find something, anything, to generate some sort of income.

My sister in law works for one of the larger banks in the state and is also seeking employment and any relief she can get from them. "And I hope these credit card people don’t think they getting paid any time soon, this is all we have to survive on for the time being so I'll be taking $1,000 cash advances until they cut my cards off."

We talked about my aunt from Tampa coming with friends to get them all to Florida and she was excited, but at the same time unsure. "How do you decide what to do with the rest of your life overnight? We have nothing but the clothes on our backs, what do we do now?"

Still nothing from my two uncles, we are still hopeful that they somehow made it to safety, but there is no way of knowing anything for sure”

The human spirit is amazing. And this is just one of thousands of stories of perseverance and bravery by our people along the gulf coast. We don’t hear much about them, only the SMALL group that are behaving badly, which is typical of the media’s portrayal of African Americans.

The United States has a rich, though in relation to other nations, short history. And throughout our nation’s history, the country and its citizens have reached out during disasters across the globe to lend a helping hand. Before I go on I would like to point out that Sri Lanka, a fledgling country that less than a year ago was demolished by the tsunami has pledged its support and money to aid the hurricane victims, which is beyond commendable. Why is it that this struggling nation can offer aid without reservation but other countries and international organizations can not. The UN and NATO have not offered anything. At the United Nations, the official spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the U.S. was the country best prepared in the world to deal with such a natural disaster, but offered no assistance.

So tell me, now, on September 5th, 2007...How much has really changed?

Some People Play Too Much, Volume 5

1. George dubyah plays ENTIRELY too much. He was on the news talking about leaving Iraq at this time would make the region unstable. oh yah? (c) Is he implying the region is stable now? He plays too much.

2. Jena Six. Do you not know about this? If you don't, you play too much.

3. Asante Samuel has decided to stop playing so much. Its about time ASANTE!

4. Michael Vick apologized. Fantastic. He plays too much if he thinks he'll ever be an Atlanta Falcon again.

5. What is this Caveman, the TV show mess? Are they serious? Is America this devoid of taste? We play too much as a society.

6. Did you read that some strippers in Tennessee found counterfeit 100 dollar bills whilst working the pole? Wow. What type of crappy counterfeit job was this cat doin that Bunny and Foxxy and them realized they were fakes (no offense to my strippers out there)? That counterfeitor plays too much.

7. Katrina was two years ago. And the NO is still suffering. You still think Kanye was playing when he said dubyah doesn't like black people? You play too much.

8. Seriously. T Pain needs to stop.
"Oooo she made us drinks, to drink
We drunk 'em, Got drunk
And then I think she thinks I'm cool
She gave me a wink, I winked back
And then I think that, we,d have fun at my spot tonight"
He plays too much, and while that mess is catchy, he offends my sensibilities. Seriously, why do all his song sound the same and like he is singing through a synthesizer? Wait, scratch that. People who actually purchase his albums play too much.

9. Perez Hilton. He plays ENTIRELY too much...have you seen him? HAVE YOU SEEN HIS WEBSITE? goodness. He has had Fidel Castro dead like 5 times.

10. Amy Winehouse. She is a DAMN MESS. She talkin about not goin to rehab. She need to stop playing and go ahead and check herself into betty ford. Quit it out Amy.

Stay tuned for Some People Play Too Much, Volume 6: The Fashion Edition

Cleaning Out my Closet....

Every once in a while, I have the urge...no wait...need...to sit back and evaluate things. Over the past few months I've made reference to feeling overwhelmed, overlooked and taken for granted as of late. Well, that stops NOW. I love them, but I'm done. I'm taking my step back and cleaning the mess, stress and unhealthy situations out of my life.

First, there are a few people I care DEEPLY about that I have to step back from...I still love them, but the current state of our relationships are unhealthy. The first is filled with negativity, misunderstandings and a lack of willingness to meet each other somewhere in the middle. I can't do it anymore. This doesn't mean I don't care about that person, or feel any sort of ill will towards them, it merely means we are not at the right places in our lives to continue our relationship. The second is a relationship in a more "romantic" sense, but its clear to me that there are some limiting circumstances that will prevent us from moving forward. I love him, but we are not prepared or equipped to embark on a relationship with each other. And unfortunately, this will put our friendship on hold until we both get over the sting of giving up on each other.

I need to situate my career, my interests, my family my education...my future...so over the next few days, weeks...months...however long it takes - THAT is what I will be doing.

I will physically clear out my closet...a WAY late spring cleaning...clean the house top to bottom to get myself ready for the non physical changes that are to come in the near future.

So, you may see some updates on this as the days drag on...and I want to say a quick thank you to those that have helped me keep it together while I came to the decision to clean out my closet...literally, figuratively and the like.

Reconnecting...

We all go through some things in our lives, and sometimes we lose touch with people who are important to us. But, if we are lucky, we have the opportunity to reconnect and catch up and renew the bonds we once had.

I had the opportunity to attend the wedding of 2 good friends this past weekend - 2 people I actually introduced. Over the years as their bond grew, I lost touch with both of them - her more than him. I also lost touch with in another friend who was in attendance, the maid of honor. After a couple of days in NY, I realized why they were...and thankfully still are, such good friends. We picked up without missing a beat. We laughed, reminisced and planned for the future - our future as a group of friends, despite the trials, tribulations and time that has passed.

This is evidence of true friendship and a bond that outlasted a rough few years. So, I want to say congratulations to the bride and groom and to all three of you: I love you, and I look forward to growing our friendships once again.

Friendship: An open letter...

friend·ship /ˈfrɛndʃɪp/ Spelled Pronunciation[frend-ship]
–noun
1.
the state of being a friend; association as friends: to value a person's friendship.
2.
a friendly relation or intimacy.
3.
friendly feeling or disposition.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME; OE fréondscipe. See friend, -ship]
—Synonyms 2. harmony, accord, understanding, rapport.

Dear friend:

I'm not exactly sure what has happened or where I went wrong. I've always tried my best to do right by you, but lately, I haven't gotten the same in return. I'm at my wit's end and I'm not sure what else I can do. So, here is my open letter to you. This is how I feel... right or wrong.

I feel like I give you SO much more than I get - I'm not talking about monetary or material goods, but I'm talking about attention, thoughts and the like. I go OUT of my way to always make you comfortable and in so many ways cater to you, even when maybe, I just want something to be about me, just ONCE. There is no parity in our relationships at ALL. I give a WHOLE lot and now that I've taken a step back, I see that I'm not getting much but attitude in return. I'm not sure that I can deal with it anymore and more importantly, I can't really justify why I should deal with it period. I don't complain when you try to steal the show or cause a scene. I let you have the shine and usually, I'm ok with that...but lately....

You are even more temperamental than usual....I usually do ok with your moods and temperament...but its gotten to the point if i say that its sunny outside, you are not only gonna say its cloudy, but you are then gonna be MAD at me for even THINKING its sunny outside. Sounds crazy, right? Yeah well that's what its been like. I feel like I can't ever really joke with you anymore, and you KNOW i love to goof around and joke. These days whats funny to you today, will make you mad and miserable tomorrow. Your moods are unpredictable and trying to figure them out is like predicting a lightening strike or earthquake...you have a feeling its coming, but can't ever pinpoint it or be certain. The mood swings come out of nowhere with no warning.

Now I know we all have our moments - I know I have mine but at least I attempt to warn folks when I'm having them. I don't expect my friends to just subject themselves to my shitty attitude and deal with it. Wait, not only deal with it, but CATER to me in spite of it. I'm starting to feel like I'm not built to deal with this...overall I'm happy go lucky and don't really understand what can be gained by being miserable for no real reason. And when you don't tell me what's going on, or when you carry on with other folks like nothing is wrong while treating me like a step child it just makes it worse.

More and more I feel like you are judging me. I try my hardest to not judge you, your decisions and your life in general - I know that it's not my place and I damn sure know people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. So I try to keep my stones in the landscaping around my glass house. But lately, I keep seeing your stones and pebbles being thrown into my yard. And I can't help but wonder why? Why can't I like something that you don't? Why can't I NOT like something that you like? We are individuals, and that happens sometimes. I don't wanted to be judged for it.

It scares me that you are not yourself at times and you put on an act or air depending on who is around. I love the REAL you, and I'm sure everyone else would too. And if they don't, then fawk em, they aren't worth your friendship.

I've noticed over the years that you have befriended so many of my friends outside of your circle, and that makes me so happy. I love the fact I can get together with everyone i care about and they all can coexist. However, sometimes it feels like a competition with you...like who is "better friends" with Friend, X, Y or Z. Why isn't we can't ALL just be cool? Why does Friend X have to be your best good friend? Can't we all just have certain things we share with certain folks, and leave it at that? I just don't see why there is this power struggle between us when it comes to certain people.

I worry, too, that you are so quick to befriend new people. As terrible as this sounds, everyone is NOT your friend, and everyone doesn't have your best interests at heart. I am concerned that you sometimes jump all in without knowing the person and you could get hurt. I would never tell you to not befriend someone, I just want you to be more careful. And I hope you would react the same when I make new friends - not to judge me or be jealous, just have my best interests at heart.

I'm sorry if any of this is harsh, I'm just feeling shut out and frustrated. I don't know how we got here and I'm not sure how to get back to when everything was cool - when I felt like I could talk to you, when I trusted you, when you were one of my best friends. I understand sometimes people grow apart, but I think this is more than that - I just am not sure how to fix it. So this is my open letter to you.

With Love,
T

Some People Play Too Much, Volume 4

Before I begin today's thoughts on people who play too much, let me first say, shout out to Bria who was one of the first folks using this now popular catch phrase..

Onto today's thoughts...all centered around sports!

1. Pacman Jones is going to be a part of WWE and wrestling now. That's nice. Pacman have you made it rain so much that you are THIS desperate for money? Pacman plays too much.

2. Asante Samuel has STILL not reported to camp. He needs to stop playing so much.

3 Michael Vick plays too much if he thinks this dog fighting case is going to go quietly into the night.

4. Barry Bonds plays too much if he thinks that anyone puts any weight into him breaking Hank Aaron's record. Hank Aaron is a class act and Barry Bonds is a fraud.

5. THIS JUST IN! Danny Ainge has STOPPED playing so much. For now...we'll see though...the season is still a couple of months away.

6. Does anyone in this country actually watch CYCLING? I mean really. And was anyone suprised that the Tour de France had another doping scandal this year? ESPN plays too much - acting like it was some sort of shock that ANOTHER frail male on a bike doped up.

7. Daunte Culpepper plays too much if he thinks he will EVER be relevant in the NFL again. His ship has SAILED.

8. Did you see Michael Strahan's letter to his fans? Seriously, he plays too much if he thinks Giants fans give a RAT's ASS about what he was feeling and blah blah blah. He needs to put up or shut up.

9. Brady Quinn stopped playing so much today, and finally signed with the Browns. Took him long enough.

10. Now, I love David Beckham...but right now it looks like the MLS was playing entirely too much when they brought him over the pond. He hasn't played one possession for the Galaxy and doesn't look like he's going to anytime soon. Him and his fwife are still beautiful to look at though.

You bother me....STOP THAT!

It seems I’ve been easily irked these past few days, and that has gotten me thinking about my PET PEEVES! There are things that I see, hear, observed people doing that drives me nuts…we all have them, and I don’t think mine are all THAT bad…

1. Don’t call me during the patriots games. I know you could give a shit about them being on TV, but that is MY TIME. If there is an emergency, please text me, and I will determine how much of an emergency it really is.

2. How do you leave the house with no money? I mean I understand you EXPECT not to pay for anything, but what if there is an emergency of some sort? What are you going to do then?

3. I do not need to HEAR you eat. STOP SMACKIN!

4. I also don’t want to hear you gnawing on your gum. That’s not sexy. Please stop.

5. Please don’t assume you know more about sports than I do because you are male and I am female. More than likely, you are wrong.

6. I hate for someone I don’t know to touch me, especially my hair. GET away from me, I don’t know where your hands have been!

7. If I tell you I don’t want to talk about it, why must you keep asking/hinting around it? Stop it. I mean it.

8. Why do people have “internet” personalities? Can you not be the same person in reality that you are behind a keyboard? I don’t understand.

9. Please stop bragging to/telling me what you have etc. etc. I don’t care if you purse costs $1000.00. This doesn’t change the fact that its shitty, to me. And if this is combined with #2? Mm. Annoyed.

10. Speaking of shitty, shitty shoes irk the living daylights out of me. Seriously, put the shitty shoes back.

11. Shitty shoes, part 2. Dirty sneakers/tennis shoes. STOP IT! Buy some new ones and don’t try to wear running shoes that look like you ran through the rainforests while doing ANYTHING but running.

12. Cheap Liquor…I don’t like swill and don’t understand people who actually REQUEST swill such as absolut. That is NOT the good stuff. Stop acting like it is!

Ok, Ok…enough complaining today…

Are you there, Asante? It's me, T....

Seriously…training camp is wrapping up, preseason GAMES are starting and you are still nowhere to be found.

I know you were tied for the league lead in INT’s and are a great player that has far exceeded his draft position. I understand that you were being paid like a 4th round draft pick, and not like the star you are. I know you saw guys like Nate Clements get the big pay out and that even in Foxboro, Adalius Thomas got a SWEET deal with a nice cushy patch of guaranteed money and all you got was the franchise tag, with no long term deal and no guaranteed money. I understand that you feel slighted by Mr. Kraft, Mr. Pioli and Mr. Belichick, but you gotta try and see it from my perspective too.

I am not only a patriots fan, but I am a fan of football in general. I understand the rules of the business of football, too. I understand that the $7 million dollar one year contract you would get as the franchise player would be more money than you’ve made your whole career. I also know that you will LOSE more money than you’ve made your entire career by sitting out the first 10 games of the season. Sitting out will also paint a certain picture of you to the league. While sticking to your guns is admirable, that top 3 salary they are offering you makes it difficult to understand why you are holding out. That’s MILLIONS more than most of your fans will ever see in their lifetimes.

You’ve won two rings with the Pats and this season, you have the offense to make a run again. The defense is poised to hold strong, but the secondary does need you…they do every year. You can’t get that long term deal you want right now, but think what type of deal you could get if you put even more than last season’s career highs in tackles, INT’s and yards in the record books.

The NFL isn’t fair to its players, I understand that. I understand that everyone in the league is just one injury away from retirement and there is very little that is guaranteed. I also understand that the Patriots are one stellar D back away from making another run at the Lombardi trophy. So with that, I ask you to come home, put the red, white, silver and blue back and make your fans, like myself, happy.

Myspace may be the end of civilization...

Ok, let me preface this with the fact that I too have a myspace page. However, mine is just for shits and giggles and to keep up with my friends that I don't see too often...

I'm convinced myspace will be the end of civilization. Between dateline's to catch a predator and the stupid things people put up on there, I'm CONVINCED. Ladies, don't post scantily clad shots of your behind and expect guys NOT to try to solicit you on there. And children need to quit it out...the stuff I've seen on there makes my SKIN crawl. However, that's now why myspace will be the end of civilization. I have witnessed three separate incidences of myspace nonsense this spring/summer that have me CONVINCED myspace is the devil.

The first was a "gentleman" who had two women FIGHTING over him in his comments section. When I first saw it, I thought it was a joke. I mean, how could they possibly be serious, right? Um. WRONG! These two “ladies” were dead serious. Apparently one was the girlfriend and the other the mistress. And he didn’t have that filter on that requires approval before comments were posted on his page. Dummy. So this comment war went on for a good few hours before he realized what was happening. My first thought is…if you are going to cheat, keep your business of off myspace. Well, I mean don’t cheat at all, but if you find yourself in that situation, well, you know. So, basically anyone on myspace could have seen his improper relationship choices. Second, why are these two chicks mad at each other? It was EVIDENT that neither knew of the existence of the other until they stumbled upon each other on Tom’s little website. Why were they calling each OTHER all types of uglies and hoes and the like? Isn’t he the hoe in this situation? The story ends here…he lost both of the women, but STILL has his myspace page up and running, go figure.

The second incidence was a MARRIED female who was cheating on her husband with a man she met on myspace. Yes, I said met. Her husband knew nothing of her myspace identity until he stumbled upon her page after creating his own account. This is just a mess. I mean really. Did I mention this page had the boyfriend all over it with some lovey-dovey nonsense? Mm. I can’t wrap my mind around this. AT ALL. Who is bold enough to cheat in plain sight? Well, apparently this chick was, but I’m saying. They have now broken up and are in the process of getting a divorce. Imagine that.

The third incidence is the most disappointing to me as it involves someone I’m close to. This did not start on myspace, but it certainly culminated there. My friend was dating a few different women, for a few different reasons. The physical interaction with one woman was apparently good enough for him to show up on her doorstep unannounced, only to find her bidding another gentleman suitor farewell early in the morning. (I was thinking the SAME thing) The relationship with another woman was on point and this young lady had her stuff together. Well apparently he made the right choice and went with the young lady rather than the lady of the night. And this is where he made the mistake. Both of these women were on myspace. The scorned, unchosen one STALKED his myspace page, found the good girl, tried to contact the good girl on myspace and wrote a SCATHING blog about the whole situation. Ouch. The good girl persevered and was the epitome of a classy woman throughout the whole scene. The other hot mess of a female was not, of course. This whole scenario forced him to remove his myspace page. But of course, he created another one. The hot mess of a brawd is STILL trying to terrorize him and his relationship and has shown up (unwelcomed) to events where she thought he may be.

So, more than a couple of relationships were ruined, feelings were hurt and lives were altered thanks in part to good old myspace (the other part being the stupidity of MOST of those involved.) Yep, myspace may very well RUIN civilization!

Its NOT my party and I'll cry if i want to!

Its NOT my party and I'll cry if i want to!
Have you ever noticed that you have one or two friends that make EVERYTHING about them? One of my folks is having his annual going away party tonight (Good Luck at school Jay!) and it got me to thinking about this - I have one or two friends that seem to make EVERYTHING about them. Even when it has nothing to do with them.
This goes as far back as MY going away party, circa 2004. There was more than one person who caused a scene and some hysterics cause they didnt get their way. I was LEAVING the DC metro area for the forseeable future (i STILL haven't moved back) and these folks wanted to complain about there being a line, having to find parking etc when if they had gotten there when we TOLD them to get there, they woulda been FINE.
A couple of my very dear friends are club promoters and they get a LOT of shit in the course of their normal worknights. The fuckery I've heard surrounding this is absolutely amazing to me. The fact that I've heard people say "I'm not going unless I get in free" amazes me. Its TWENTY DOLLARS. If you don't have $20 stay your ass in the house or better yet, get a part time job. Seriously, lets do the math. It's 2007. Lets go back and calculate how much these cats have saved some people since say, 2004. That's 3 years. If these people go out once a month, for 3 years, that 36 times $20. $720.00. So they saved you a couple of car payments (and thats IF you only went out once a month - i know of one or two that we could say were out maybe 40 times a YEAR for 3 years which would be a mortgage payment and change) and you can't come off $20 to get into the club? Every Friday or Saturday night is NOT ABOUT YOU. There is nothing special about you that warrants getting in free everywhere you go. Get over yourself.
This example leads me to two others - one was a cookout one of these aforementioned promoters had and the other is about treating your bartenders well. Lets start with the bartenders. I met a wonderful woman named Tanisha way back in the years 1999-2000. She was a bartender at the Gardens. We (me and Jason) took good care of her tipwise, and she got us tipsy (well maybe more than tipsy, but still) on the REGULAR. The same goes for Henry at the gardens (come home soon henry), Monica at the Saint, the twins at Ozio, and my boy Desmond at the Gardens. Now, even though they always took care of me, I never EXPECTED it and I always tipped them. Is that so difficult to grasp? I have another very close friend that is a bartender at Avenue and I've seen these other associates of mine expect to get into the spot free thanks to him, and drink for near nothing, while tipping him a few dollars. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Stop being cheap, he is doing you a favor and doesn't owe you shit. The least you could do is tip him.
Ok, so the cookout. The promoter and bartender friends had a cookout at their now flooded former home. The ratio of women to men was off the hook and then men were in heaven, though many of the females were sitting around with stank faces and complaining. No one made them come to this cookout and certainly no one made them stay there. But they proceeded to make it about them, and bitched and whined. Its not your house, not your party, you didnt pay to come here and shit you came empty handed. Your car is RIGHT outsie...heffa, GO HOME THEN, shit.
I could go on and on, especially after my most recent trip to visit DC. The absolute mess of attitude, demands and expectations I saw at Ibiza opened my eyes. Some folks really and truly think everything is about them. Maybe I don't understand it, since I've never been that way when it comes to this sort of thing. I am chuckling at the debauchery that will be my upcoming 30th birthday...maybe I'll make it all about me for that ?..>

The Some People Play Too Much Chronicles, Volume 3

Ok its been a minute since our last installment, but it seems people are STILL playing too much...1. There is this new show on Bravo, called "Welcome to the Parker". Its about a shi-shi 5 star hotel and what goes on there. My place of employment may not be QUITE that shi-shi but watch the show and see the assinine shit thats goin on and you will realize why I say the people at my job and most specifically some of my clients PLAY TOO MUCH! 2. Asante Samuel STILL has not signed. He's willing to lose more money than he's MADE his whole career in his quest to make his point. He either plays too much (well, actually he'll play too little if he holds out, but I digress) or he knows what he's doing and he'll be in his uniform before the start of the season. We shall see. 3. Ursher called off his wedding to his golddigger with 100,000 miles on her the DAY of the wedding. Ouch. I'm not sure if he plays too much for calling it off at the last minute or letting it even get that far. Either way, he plays too much,4. Michael Vick is either getting screwed royally or he is an IDIOT. Who lets his boys and dem rum rampant at their multi-million dollar home. Michael Vick also plays too much (well, or too little, see above).5. Victoria Beckham is the baddest bitch out. If you don't agree, you play too much. Seriously, her style, fashions, husband and family are all FABULOUS. Remember, it is exhausting being fabulous.6. Any athlete who thinks its ok to run around acting a fool when they are under contract for millions of dollars and are risking their livlihood by making it rain or leanin with it and rockin with it and all that shit PLAYS TOO MUCH or plays the WRONG GAMES!7. Hot Ghetto Mess. The TV Show. First off, I'm glad that atrocity isn't going to see another episode. Second, Karma is a bitch. That brawd who owns hotghettomess.com plays too much and I hope Karma CONTINUES to bite her in the ass.That's it for today.......

The Ex Factor

The Ex Factor Current mood: amused
I wrote this awhile ago...but its funny as hell, so I thought I'd share...
The Ex Factor - 3 Babies by 3 Different Women
While in college, I dated a man with a son. I met him when I was in undergrad somewhat randomly. I was at a museum with some friends over the summer, sort of noticed him - he was attractive, and made it a point to find myself around him. Well, we got to talking and exchanged numbers. We spoke on the phone a lot and decided to hang out. Well, we hung out a few times; things were good and we got along very well. Then he announced he had someone he wanted me to meet. Well I found out soon after that he had a toddler.
At first I was skeptical, but he was a good father and the fact that he had ONE son out of wedlock didn't bother me so much, I mean things happen, especially in this day and age. After all, he was a good guy, and he had a lot of positive qualities. He was intelligent, in school and an athlete (well lacrosse, but still.) We were together almost a year and a half and spent time with his son often. There was nothing that really stood out about our relationship at the time – dates, dinner, movies and the like. We did fine for that first nine months and we even lasted a little while in a long distance relationship, when he tried his hand at living in NYC.
Things sorta started to fall apart while he was away and unfortunately, (maybe fortunately, after you read this.) we broke up the day after Valentine's day. Our priorities were clearly not centered in our relationship - I admit I was definitely enjoying college life and wasn't focused on cultivating a lasting relationship with him that might lead to some sort of lifelong commitment. I mean I was 21 years old, and even if at the time I thought it was something real, reality is skewed in the mind of a 21 year old. As things deteriorated in our relationship, we were having STUPID arguments all the time, and it was becoming apparent that it wasn't going to work. As for Valentine's day, I'm not the most sentimental, hallmark holiday type of chick but he failed to recognize the holiday AT ALL, I'm saying not even a card or a happy v day call.
So that was the impetus for the end. Though it did involve me throwing a foreign object at his head because he said something utterly STUPID and ignorant. However, don't fret, Valentine's day wasn't lonely for me as I had a young one in the wings that brought me flowers anyway. And I had moved on by the next week. That was that, a typical college break-up. No big deal. Chalk it up and keep on stepping, right? Forget about each other and go about our lives....yeah well...maybe not. We really didn't keep in touch after the break up at all until he found me out of the blue and called me at my PARENTS' house. This was a little strange, since we didn't actually end things on the most positive of notes, me hurling projectiles at his head and all. I was actually home visiting my parents for the Christmas holiday when he called. We talked, caught up and nothing came of it except that we kept in touch here and there and he served as my ride home from a distant airport a couple of times when I was traveling to and from school.
The break up was far behind us, and it seemed neither of us had those types of feelings for each other anymore, making it pretty easy for us to be friends. Soon after we reconnected, I moved away from the area and he and I lost touch again. These things happen. But thanks to modern technology and the fact that I haven't changed my cell phone number since the start of the 21st century (though i may have to if this ever gets published and he sees this!) he was able to find me again, and when he did BOY was I surprised.
Here's where the title of this little piece of comedy comes into play. It turns out, he has three children. My immediate thought was that he found his way back to his first child's mother and said to myself, "self, isn't it sweet that he and this crazy broad got back together!" Yeah, well not so much. I call her crazy since she did happen to threaten me a few times while he and I were together. I believe I was referred to as "that bitch". She was at the time concerned about me being in her son's life. This will be ironic momentarily.
His first child's mother was not a romantic part of his life at all anymore and they didn't interact other than to share custody of their son. She's a "dancer" and apparently very big in certain strange circles. As a "dancer" she's done well in some reggae/dancehall "competitions". She also apparently doesn't contribute much to her son's financial needs, and the courts can't order her to pay all that much, as most of her "work" is on a cash basis. Did I mention she dates a prominent pharmeceutical engineer in a major metropolitan city too? Do we all see the irony? Ok, good.
So then he found out that he had a second child – well after this second child was born. This child's mother was some fling and apparently something of a loon, since he had full custody and she wasn't in the child's life AT ALL. Interestingly enough, this child was born about 4 months after he and I broke up. You do the math on that one. Think about it for just a minute. Did all of that sink in? Yeah well, that little tidbit didn't occur to me until after he and I spoke about the fine mess he'd made of his life. And the worst part about that (for me, not him) was that I think I remember him telling me about her – this really "cool chick" he met when he was out with his boys. She was cool alright. I was young and clearly naïve but fortunately when he was relaying this little tidbit of information I wasn't bitter and actually laughed at that whole situation. For those of you who are a little slow on the uptake or are not familiar with how pregnancies work, this means he knocked her up WAY before he and I broke up. Oh well, I can let bygones be bygones.
Well soon after baby number two fell into his lap he meets a chick that he loves. Low and behold, she pops up pregnant. Baby number three. Baby mama number three. Apparently being pregnant knocks some sense into this third baby mama, because she starts questioning his faithfulness (you would think two previous baby mamas with their interesting backgrounds would have set off an alarm, but I digress.) She decides to distance herself from him and they have a very strange relationship rooted in her jealousy and his indiscretions.
So there he is - he has full custody of the first two, and shared of the third and is raising three children in his MAMA's house. Oh did I neglect to mention this part? He's also now a football dad, dance mom and pushes a Minivan. Before I go on, I would like to say I do recognize that he is doing what he is supposed to do – caring for his children and doing his best to raise three good kids. There are a lot of men that could learn from him in that respect. Now that you know the story, let's discuss where he went wrong. I am not so full of myself to think that if he stayed with me, he would be better off. Shoot, considering how potent he apparently is, I'm happy to have gotten out relatively unscathed. He of course DID say this, though I'm sure that was his way of trying to get back in with me and not necessarily what he considers the truth. However, the fact that he would think that I would want to get back with him after seeing the fine mess he'd made of his life and the poor choices he'd made in his other "partners" baffled me. What would it say about me, if I rekindled a relationship with a man that has three children, by three women, one of which was conceived while he was supposed to be faithful to me? I think that it would say I was naïve and well, perhaps stupid. Some may say that I was forgiving and strong for giving him another chance. Yeah, well, I'm forgiving, but not THAT forgiving. I'm definitely strong, and definitely strong enough to see that I deserve better. Hmmm. Maybe he did go wrong when he left me behind. I guess we'll never know.
Let's discuss his mindset a little further. At what point do you say to yourself, "self, I think i should strap up and NOT get another broad pregnant." I mean REALLY. There comes a point where you need to stop reproducing, especially with different women that you aren't going to wife up. He never did finish school, since the cost of raising three kids has eaten up any and all of his disposable income. So he's now stuck working a job with limited growth potential and has expenses with unlimited growth potential. He ran up in some chicks that he wasn't serious about in the long term without protection. WHO does that in this day and age? I mean its not the seventies, we all know that AIDS and STD's are REAL. What possesses a man to do that, especially after the first time this type of behavior produces a child out of wedlock. I think this is the part that truly baffles me!
He and I are still friends, though this may change once he finds out I've told you all his life story. I have spoken to him about the fact that he needs to get it together, but it seems he's destined to go back and forth with baby mama number 3. I wish him the best, and who knows, maybe one day the two of them will drive off into the sunset together in that minivan of his with his three (or more) kids.

Saturday Morning Thoughts...Some People Play Too Much Volume 2.1

Ok so I'm at work on a Saturday morning again (I love my job ) and I was sitting here reading the paper and thinking about a few things...
These are just my thoughts, and what I'm feeling this morning...otherwise known as my RANTS AND RAVES!
1. So I went to the mall last night and I realized, most dresses are NOT made for chick with HIPS! I mean seriously, the last thing I need is something that brings MORE attention to them. I did however finally find a dress, and YES I will wear it on Friday!
2. Why do children roam the mall in PACKS on Friday nights...ok, I knew there would be a lot of kids, but GOOD GOD! They were everywhere! I was in Borders trying to purchase my fantasy football magazines (Twankle, the ESPN one is FIYAH!) and this lil half goth 12 year old was in the way and got an attitude when I said excuse me. My mother would have beat me within an inch of my LIFE if I ever 1. had that sort of an attitude at 12 and 2. tried to go to the mall with no money. I think this now makes the fact that I am old, OFFICIAL!
3. I'm going to see the red sox tomorrow at FENWAY! WOO HOO! This excites me because getting good seats at fenway is like trying to find Osama - you KNOW they are out there, but alas, they seem to escape EVERY time! Thanks Karen!
4. The Celtics have Ray Allen and Allan Ray. Hmm. And they gave away the number 5 pick to get Ray Allen who hasn't rebounded since UConn (and even then ) and who think defense is the what Jamaicans call that thing outside of the house that is of the white picket variety. Allan Ray, well, mm.
5. IPhones are $600. WTF. And there were folks CAMPED out yesterday for them. I don't get it. It will be obsolete in a month, if it isn't already.
6. Back to the NBA Draft...Did you see this mess? You would have thought Stephen A. Smith was sitting on Isiah's bench waving a towel Thursday night. What was that about?
7. So what did pro athletes do for fun before there were strip clubs so they could make it rain?
8. Rob and Big, that show on MTV about the skateboarder and his bodyguard is strange, yet funny.
9. Ok, back to the Celtics. So the Celts dumped Wally Sczcerbiak and his big ol contract in order to get Ray Allen on Thursday night. Interestingly enough, word on the streets is that one of the reasons Kevin Garnett had no interest in coming to Boston was he didn't want to play with Sczcerbiak. And here I thought it was because the Celtics are no longer relevant and Danny Ainge is an idiot. Who knew?
10. I watched the BET Awards the other night, and lemme tell ya, Ciara is a baaaaaaaaaaad brawd. And when did Reggie Bush get so FINE? Geezus.
11. Enough already about Paris Hilton.
12. There was some poll on the radio this morning that if American's had a choice between getting an iPhone or finding Osama, they would pick the phone. How nice.
13. The 2008 election season is upon us, and I like Obama. Something about Hilary makes me ITCH.
14. Big Brother starts Thursday and I can't WAIT! Though it will not be the same without my beloved CHILLTOWN!
Thats it for today...I'm going to finish this work and then I'm off to grad parties, cookouts, a nice steak and some BASEBALL...This is what summer should be about!

The Some People Play Too Much Chronicles, Volume 2

So ok, sometimes I truly wonder if some people spend their ENTIRE existence playing...
1. As many of you know, I love sports. DUH! So I'm in a baseball fantasy league at my friend's job again. I truly think the IT 's job there is to facilitate sports gambling. This fool sends us UPDATES every day on the status of the pool. He plays entirely too much...and my friend wonders why her computer is all fawked up...cuz he's TOO busy calculating how many runs the Twins and Pirates scored last night.
2. I was told to wear a dress to Ibiza next friday. I swear before god, if i see a chick that DOESNT work there in some AF1's, it will be official that Smitty plays too much.
3. Why does that guy in my pic ALWAYS tilt his head, slightly askew? you guessed it, he plays TOO MUCH!
4. A certain someone better STOP playing, before I take the mess he's been talking on google seriously
5. Tonight is the NBA Draft...Danny Ainge is gonna pick some foreign cat that isn't gonna do shit and the Celtics will be WORSE next year than they were this year...and still probably wont get the number 1 pick...I'm not sure if Danny Ainge is just playing too much, or an idiot.
6. Can we talk about Amy Winehouse...and this Rehab song? It's catchy, ok I'll give you that...but this hoe is singing about REHAB! WTF? She plays too much.
7. The spice girls are reuniting for a world tour...and this is a headline on CNN.COM . Either its a slow news day, or someone plays too much.
8. Paris Hilton on Larry King last night...I'm not even blaming Paris...this one is on Larry playing too much, and playing into her NONSENSE. she got locked up for being an idiot. THE END!
9. If Hank Aaron wants nothing to do with Bonds' record chase, why should I? Bonds plays too much if he thinks anyone really believes he is eclipsing Hank Aaron...even if the numbers say he is.
10. The Rocket's ERA is 4.86 after three games, if you're trying to keep score at home. Clearly, the Yankees are playing too much while paying him close to ONE MILLION per game.

Some people play too much Volume 1

Seriously, truer words have NEVER better uttered. Some people DO play too much.On that note, I'd like to say the following:
1. Contrary to your belief, the world does NOT revolve around you. My world, at least, I don't know about everyone else. You play too much.
2. Pacman Jones is an idiot. Yes, the media may be making it worse, but that does not take away from the fact that he is now throwing millions away, and NO I don't mean he's making it rain, either. Pacman plays too much.
3. Paris Hilton plays entirely too much. Bitch you got all this money, WHY are you even driving yourself.
4. The internet has a lot of folks thinking they are more popular than they are. Stop playing all your life, its THE INTERNET for the love of god.
5. Everyone knows Jason Giambi used steriods. All of this sidestepping around talking to the powers that be is PLAYING TOO MUCH!
6. Asante Samuel need to go on ahead and sign with the Patriots...and stop playing when it comes to this contract.
7. My clients play WAY too much. I do a lot, but I'm not a miracle worker.
8. How you gonna judge ME, with your own closet full of skeletons? Somebody plays too much.
9. How do you go to Jamaica...and a pool party in Jamaica...and not get in the water? Better yet, how can you not take off your hot ass slouch sock? Super Urban plays too much.
10. P Diddy on making the band this whole show is just WAY too much playing. As is Charm School...but I DVR and watch both religiously.and that is my rant for today.*taking a bow*