Keith Sweat - Make it Last Forever feat Jackie McGhee

George Kranz - Din Da Da

Dennis Edwards - Don't Look Any Further

Boz Scaggs - Lowdown

A Beautiful Car - 1983 DeTomaso Pantera

Marion

Time is an amazing thing...not too long ago Marion Jones thought of time in seconds...now she thinks of time in months... I hope Marion finds peace in the years ahead...

BBC Sport: Marion Jones Sentenced To Six Months

Happiness

I payed a visit to the blog Anali's First Amendment and read her post about happiness. It's a really good post and it got me to thinking about what makes me happy. So in true blogger fashion I thought I would make...a list!

So without further ado, here is my list of 10 things that make me happy

-10 - Rainy Saturday afternoons
-09 - Travelling (especially by train)
-08 - My ipod
-07 - Blogging
-06 - Books
-05 - PBS/ NPR
-04 - Starbuck's Frappuccino
-03 - Thinking about travelling
-02 - Friends
-01 - Being in love

What makes you happy?

Words...

lethonomia (LEE-thuh-NOH-mia) the inability to recall the names of people

apodyopsis (AP-oh-dy-AHP-sis) act of mentally undressing someone

Have you heard of these words before? I didn't know either one.

Mariah Carey - We Belong Together

Christina Aguilera - Beautiful

Jermaine Jackson - Do What You Do

Amsterdam by Night

What if Kumari Fulbright was missing?

Kumari Fulbright - Beauty Photo and Mug Shot

Kumari Fulbright is a 25 year old African American woman who was a contestant in the Miss Arizona beauty pageant. She was also a law student at the University of Arizona.

Recently she was charged with kidnapping and torture of her ex-boyfriend. The story of the kidnapping is weird and convoluted.

The media has been all over this story. Good Morning America interviewed her parents and her attorney this morning and the CBS Morning Show interviewed her attorney yesterday. If you google her name you will see just how many media outlets are covering this story.

My question; if Kumari Fulbright was missing would the media cover her story?

Political Stuff...

Iranian Navy Speedboats

Former Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry has announced his endorsement of Barack Obama; is that a good thing?

Bill Richardson has pulled out of the Democratic race for the White House; was he overqualified?

Is John Edwards to Barack Obama as Ralph Nader was to Al Gore?

I don't believe that a bunch of tiny Iranian Navy speedboats "menaced" U.S. warships in the Strait of Hormuz. Do you? Is this the modern Gulf of Tonkin incident?

Are the Neo-Cons desperately trying to instigate war with Iran?

Read about the Gulf of Tonkin incident here.

If New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg runs for President as an Independent will it make a difference in the overall race for the White House?

Link-O-Rama: My Blog Sisters!

Marion Jones

"From time to time, I am challenged by other black women for calling myself a feminist. Some of them believe that while all women suffer from sexism, white women who make up the feminist mainstream do not understand the extra burden of race faced by women of color." - What Tami Said

Read the rest here: What Tami Said on the Gloria Steinem Op-ed piece

"I'm too young to have remembered the feminist movement that started in the 60s and the 70s. However, I still do remember the impact Gloria Steinem has had on the women's rights movement." - New Black Woman

Read the rest here: New Black Woman on the Gloria Steinem Op-ed piece

______________________________________________________________________

"I've always believed the best way to be an important voting bloc is for Black Americans to NOT all vote for the Democratic party. If the Republicans win without the support of Blacks then what makes us think they will do anything for us?" - Essential Presence

Read the rest here: What have they done for you?

____________________________________________________________________

"Jones fall from grace truly saddens me. During both the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, Marion Jones was positioned as a dynamic role model for young girls everywhere, but beyond the spotlight; Jones has time and again demonstrated poor judgment when navigating her personal life. - Living Out LOUD

Read the rest here: Marion Jones

_____________________________________________________________________

"I am suddenly feeling very aware of EVERYTHING he's saying. Every time he says the word "black", "f*ck" or - that old hot potato - "n*gg*r", it's making me feel all weird and hot in my chest." - BoringBlackChick

Read the rest here: What A Minefield

____________________________________________________________________

"I applaud the naive arrogance of the young who put so much stock in their existence that they honestly believe that the fate of the universe hinges on their shoulders. I think anyone who considers themselves intelligent fancies that they are a lot more important to the scheme of things than they actually are." - Fabulous Is A Choice

Read the rest here: The Young and The Old--Part One

Enjoy!

The Brothers Johnson - Land of Ladies

Kraftwerk - Trans Europe Express

The Vastness of Lake Michigan

The Hill factor or the Bill factor?

(Photo Attribution: timesonline)

Hillary Clinton won the New Hampshire Primary yesterday. All of the politicos are speculating about what made the difference between the Iowa loss and the New Hampshire victory.

Well two things changed. First; Hillary cried for the cameras. Many are saying that led to many women changing their minds or making up their minds and voting for Hillary.

Second; Bill Clinton became the Hillary attack dog yesterday. He appeared at Dartmouth College and wagged his finger at the crowd while he attacked Barack Obama.

So what do you think; was it Hill or Bill that made the difference?

On Astrophysics and the Universe...

(Okay this post really isn't really about Astrophysics, I just couldn't figure a good title for this post.)

Here is what it's really about.

What do you do when you like someone a lot and you over time get the feeling that they don't really like you? I have a feeling that someone I really like and admire, for some reason doesn't really like me. I feel like she only tolerates me because we travel in the same circles.

I've gone out of may way on several occasions to let her know that I think she is a really great person. And I do think she's a great person.

So does she think of me as a sycophant?

Recently I noticed that she has embraced certain people who I am close to but she still makes it clear in a very subtle way that she doesn't want to embrace me in that same way.

So I'm sad and hurt. I've invested a lot of time in the relationship, such as it is, and feel cheated. Yesterday I came to the conclusion that I should simply back off.

I feel like I have been pushing myself on her and that's a terrible feeling.

I really hate how I'm feeling. On the one hand I feel childish. I feel childish because I feel jealous. I feel as though this person has gotten close to a few people that I may have introduced her to and now I'm being shunned.

Anyway I needed to vent. I needed to say something about this because it is really bothering me.

Thanks for listening.

Do you think I'm being stupid and childish? Should I talk to her about this or just back-off?

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Summertime

"just a little somethin' to break the monotony of all that hardcore" - Summertime lyrics

Joan Armatrading - Love And Affection

This is one of my all-time favorite songs by one of my favorite singers. Enjoy!

Minnie Riperton - Memory Lane

The Art of Jean-Michel Basquiat

Wikipedia: Jean-Michel Basquiat

Time for action?

Recently I wrote a post which in part said, that we in the African American community pretty much know what problems we face as a group. It seems that over the past few years we have spent a lot of time listing the problems we or at least a significant number of us face.

So since we are aware of the problems I feel it's up to us to Begin to identify solutions. Well I have an idea. It's one that I've mentioned several times on this blog.

This idea involves making an effort to deal with the demeaning and stereotypical images we see on Television and in particular on cable.

On Saturday I placed a poll on the blog asking if you would be willing to give up you cable for six months to protest the negative portrayals of African Americans. I chose six months as opposed to leaving it open ended for a couple of reasons.

First; I think if a vocal group of African Americans ( like bloggers) decide to cancel their cable, large news organizations will pick up on that story. And in order for the protest to work, it must garner attention.

Second; I think that when you are dealing with any sort of negotiations it's important to be reasonable. If the party you are dealing with thinks that negotiating will be futile, than you have defeated yourself. A six month protest is reasonable.

How would this work?

It's very simple, if a significant number of African American bloggers are willing and do cancel their cable TV service and then blog about it. That will get the attention of cable companies and by extension media outlets that own cable channels such as BET.

I believe that the cable operators will fear that the protest might spread to the general African American populace. That for them would be a nightmare scenario, so I believe at that point they would be open to talking about making changes.

One more thing; it does not matter if you don't watch BET or VH1, if you have cable some of your money goes to Viacom which owns BET and VH1.



What do you think? Do you think this would be effective? Would you participate?

Related post: Electronic Village - Enough Is Enough campaign Protests BET Honors Awards

What's good for the gander is good for the goose?

I'm sure most of you have already heard that Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton had what appeared to be an emotional moment yesterday while taking questions from a group of citizens in New Hampshire.

My question to you is; what if Barack Obama or John Edwards had a moment in which they appeared to cry, would the reaction be different for them? What do you think the media would be saying?

Is Hillary getting a pass on the crying incident because she's a woman?

Twofer Tuesday: Oh that's where that sample came from!

Sly and the Family Stone - Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)- The Original


Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation (The Sample)

Soulsonic Force featuring Afrika Bambaataa - Planet Rock

Portugal

Photo Attribution: National Geographic

Hip Hop; 'Making it rain' on the corporate world

Gigantic multi-national corporations have been the direct beneficiaries of hip hop music's message of spending money. These companies have raked in billions in sales that relate directly to the placement of their goods and services in hip hop songs.

Here is a partial list of some of the products that have been mentioned in rap songs

Bentley English manufacturer of luxury automobiles
Cristal champagne
Courvoisier cognac
Hennessy Cognac
Rémy Martin cognac (The rapper Remy Ma was known as Remy Martin until the company reportedly asked her to stop using the name)
Moët & Chandon champagne
Alizé Cognac based spirit
Hpnotiq liqueur/ vodka/ cognac
Adidas German sports apparel manufacturer
Cadillac brand of luxury vehicles owned by General Motors


Free Advertising Works

Although other genres of music occasionally mention commercial products, no other genre makes the placement of products in lyrics apart of the accepted landscape of the music.

It's amazing the amount of free advertising that these products have received. When Busta Rhymes (Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr) released the song Pass The Courvoisier, sales of Courvoisier cognac rose by 30%.

I imagine that other rap songs have had a similar effect on other products.

The sad part of this is that the people who are responsible for the sales increases of these products are likely the people who can least afford the products.

Backlash

Also most of the rappers who include products in the lyrics of their songs are not even savvy enough to have gotten paid. Even the rapper known as Jay - Z (Shawn Carter) who mentions Cristal champagne in at least one of his songs, was not paid. In fact it was Cristal that complained that their product being placed in rap songs hurt the brand.

" We can’t forbid people from buying it,” told Rouzaud. “I’m sure Dom Perignon or Krug would be delighted to have their business.” - Cristal’s managing director, Frederic Rouzaud in The Economist magazine

So the message being sent is to be a zombie consumer and to pledge your allegiance to multi-national conglomerates which have no respect for you or your money.

Big Business Hits The Charts

"According to AmericanBrandstand.com, Cristal was the eighth most mentioned brand on Billboard’s Top 100 chart in 2005.

It scored 35 mentions, from stars including Kanye West, Trina, Lloyd Banks, The Game and Mariah Carey.

In his number one hit Hard Knock Life, Jay-Z raps, “Let’s sip the Cris and get pissy-pissy“." - BREAKINGNEWS.IE ARCHIVES: 16 June 2006

I wonder how many billions of dollars have been funneled into the pockets of huge corporations. And I wonder how many poor and near poor people have mortgaged their financial well-being for a bottle of Cristal.


What Do You Think?

Do you think a generation of African Americans have been destroyed financially by hip hop's message of "making it rain"?

Have you known people who were influenced by hip hop's message of blind consumerism?



RUN-DMC - My Adidas

African American Churches and Politics

Should African American churches stay out of politics or do you think it's okay for churches to endorse political candidates?

Arrested Development - Tennessee

Angela Bofill - I Try

Home.....

The story of Africa?

(I have recently been hearing about the conflict in Kenya (which may have genocidal elements) after an election in which the result is being disputed. I began to think about the real cause of the conflict in Kenya and many other conflicts on the African Continent. So I wrote a little allegorical story.)

Best Friends

Two little boys where the best of friends; they came from different families but they felt like brothers. The played wonderful games together, they explored, they had loads of fun.

One day a new kid showed up on the scene; he was a few years older than the boys. He began to play with them and observe them. He noticed that the younger boys had nice games, new footballs and basketballs to play with and always had a little bit of money for snacks or ice cream

So one day when the older boy was alone with one of the younger ones he told him that his friend, the other younger boy, had confided in him that sometimes he thought he was stupid and only tolerated hanging out with him because there weren't any other kids to play with.

On a different day the older boy relayed the same information to the other little boy.

Soon the little boys who had been the best of friends became suspicious of each other, they began to bicker and fight.

The older boy would always be there to break up their little fights. He also separately made each of the boys believe that he was really only friends with him.

Soon with out the others knowledge the little boys where giving money and buying things for the older boy. They were just so happy to have the older boy as a friend. They let him borrow their games and sports equipment.

As the little boys grew older they began to resent each other even more. Neither had forgotten the information their older friend had shared about the other.

That resentment continued and ultimately ruined the friendship of the two boys.

One day when the boys where teens and in high school they got into an argument over a girl. One of the boys pulled a gun out of his back pack and shot and killed his former friend.

Now one of the boys was dead and the other was in prison, possibly for life.

The older boy pretended to be upset, but he secretly thought them stupid for letting him ruin their friendship.

Soon the older boy found another set of best friends.



Do you think as I do that Europeans and others such as the Chinese (supporting the Sundanese Government) are responsible for planting the seeds of conflict in Africa?

What do you think of my allegory? (I've never written one before)

Black Blog Rankings....

Did you know that someone was taking the time to keep track of Black blogs and rank them according to popularity (I assume popularity is how many hits per day they are getting?).

Well Wayne at Electronic Village has been ranking Black blogs and the rankings are available. Want to know what number your blog is on the list or the rank of your favorite blogs, Click here. (You will be viewing a pdf file)

And if your blog is not on the list contact Wayne at Electronic Village to be included.

Mes Deux Cents is ranked #193 of 602!

What do you think of the rankings?

Thanks to MrsGrapvine for the link.

I've been tagged! (again)

I've been tagged by MrsGrapevine. I'm supposed to list 7 weird things about myself and then tag 7 other bloggers who will do the same.

I'm going to play and list the 7 things about myself. But I'm not going to tag anyone because I was just tagged recently and tagged 7 other people. So if you like the rules of the tag game, then you are welcome to play! Just follow the rules and have fun.


7 Random Weird Things About Me

07 - I watch Telemundo (even though I don't really understand Spanish)
06 - Sometimes if I start to watch a movie on TV and it looks really good I will turn it off and then order it from Amazon.com.
05 - If a book is really, really good I will read the last chapter very slowly. It might take me 2 weeks to finish it.
04 - I'm terrible at remembering people's names. A person can be introduced to me and 30 seconds later I have forgotten their name.
03 - I can walk very long distances, like 20 miles or so.
02 - I've been to Montana twice. (That's weird isn't it?)
01 - I almost never carry a handbag, I usually carry a backpack.

Colonel Abrams -Trapped

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Bad Moon Rising

This song is prophetic. If it had been originally released as George Bush came into office it would have perfectly described his Presidency. What do you think?

Zanzibar!

Extra-Extraordinary!

I don't normally post about a particular blog. I generally do a post called Link-O-Rama where I give links to interesting blogs I find. But I am inspired to write a post about a blog that has in the last few weeks inspired me so much.

That blog is called Essential Presence and it's blogged by Symphony. The reason I have been so inspired by Symphony's blog is because she has decided to be proactive. As I said in an earlier post, we all know what the problems are that certain parts of African American face. So we really don't need to just outline those problems anymore. We need action and workable solutions.

Essential Presence is a blog that is giving solutions. Symphony has been giving great information and solutions to problems on her blog. Everyday I look forward to visiting Essential Presence to get my daily dose of pertinent info about a myriad of things.

As I hope you all know I love all the blogs of my blog family, I think all of your blogs are extraordinary. But there are occasions when someone in an extraordinary family does something that is extra - extraordinary.

So if you haven't visited Essential Presence please stop by and stop by often as you will, as I have, benefit from the information and point of views you'll see.

Symphony; thanks for all of your hard work not only on Essential Presence but at your other blog Tradition Of Excellence as well. I wish I had one of those award graphics to give you, if I did it would be the "Extra-Extraordinary Blog Award"

Visit Essential Presence here

Visit Tradition of Excellence here

Have you seen her?...Chioma Gray

Missing: Chioma Gray

DOB: Apr 27, 1992
Missing: Dec 13, 2007
Age Now: 15
Sex: Female
Race: Black
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
Weight: 115 lbs (52 kg)
Missing From: Oxnard, CA

Kidnapping

Chioma was abducted by Andrew Tafoya on December 13, 2007. A felony warrant for Kidnapping was issued for Andrew on December 14, 2007. They may travel to Mexico in a white 2008 Acura TSX with the California license plate 6AXX928. Andrew has multiple tattoos.

Anyone with any information about the kidnapping or disappearance of Chioma please contact Oxnard, California police or the FBI.

Oxnard, California Police Dept. (805) 486-8362 or (805)-650-8010

Or

From The FBI website;

Individuals with information concerning this case should take no action themselves, but instead immediately contact the nearest FBI Office or local law enforcement agency. For any possible sighting outside the United States, contact the nearest United States Embassy or Consulate.

Or

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)

Links: Black and Missing But Not Forgotten , Wichita NAACP Blog

Music Saturday!

I've racked my mind searching for rare and interesting songs, so I hope you like today's selections! Please let me know. Enjoy!

Peter Brown - Do You Wanna Get Funky With Me?

Teena Marie - Behind The Groove

Chubb Rock - Treat 'em Right

Anybody know what ever happened to Chubb?

Robert Palmer - Addicted To Love

The lyrics of this song are so true!

Land Of Lost Money

Unexpected three day weekend!

I woke up this morning to stormy weather. When I looked outside a little while ago, the rain was blowing sideways! So I decided to use my first vacation/ personal day of the year. (Which is actually a personal day from last year)

I'm glad I went for groceries yesterday since the weather people are saying this weather may last through Monday.

So it's Amy Winehouse and a little house work (and blog surfing) this morning. Then I think I'll do a little reading and maybe even watch a dvd!

Yea unexpected three day weekends!

Are you ready for some Obama Kool-Aid?

United States Senator Barack Obama won the 2008 Democratic Iowa Caucus last night. I for one had goose bumps when I heard the news. It's still a really, really long way to Pennsylvania Avenue; but it's a lot closer today for the senator than it was yesterday.

Although I'm not sure if I can support Senator Obama on the issues, but I must admit as an African American I was and am very proud of him. And although I know many other African Americans are like me in not being sure about his politics, I think there are a lot of proud African Americans today.

In a world where we are constantly being fed a diet of defeat and despair, what a welcome breath of fresh air this victory is. The world today is looking at us, all of us and saying; wow!

The political pundits are also saying; wow!

In the next few days I'm sure some of the excitement will where off as Senators Clinton and Edwards ramp up their attacks on the new front runner. But we still have this victory.

That's right, we.

No matter your political affiliation, no matter who you have chosen to support, this is a victory for all of us.

I'm not sure if I am ready to drink the Obama Kool-Aid, but I am getting a little thirsty and it does look very refreshing.

Are you ready for some Obama Kool-Aid? Did Sen. Obama's win last night change your view of him?


Side note: I think it's about time Microsoft’s spell-check knows the difference between Obama and Osama.

Things I both love and hate

San Francisco fog rolling in

- Gossip Blogs
- Winter weather
- Terry McMillan novels
- Essence Magazine
- San Francisco
- Kit Kat candy bars
- MTV's Real World
- Grits
- Volkswagen's Beetle
- Television
- Michelle Malkin
- Travelling by bus
- Hotels
- The United States of America

What things do you both love and hate?

Oh My!

"I'll walk from Atlanta to Phoenix in a speedo" - Former NBA star Charles Barkley on what he would do if the NBA's Boston Celtics win 72 games this basketball season.


Source: USA Today

Kano - I'm Ready

This is a dance classic. Do you remember it?

Surface - Closer Than Friends

London Fog...

Breaking News: Sen. Obama wins in Iowa...What does this mean?

Obama wins convincing victory in Iowa

By Christi Parsons and John McCormick | Tribune political reporters
8:53 PM CST, January 3, 2008

DES MOINES - Fueled by record turnout among young and new voters, Sen. Barack Obama won an historic and convincing victory in the Iowa caucuses Thursday night, a win that validated his status as a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. - chicagotribune.com

Are you as surprised as I am? Can Sen. Obama really win the nomination? Are you excited?

This will be front page news in every major newspaper in the world tomorrow.

5%

During the civil rights movement of the 1960's many African Americans did not want to rock the boat. Many thought not only that Malcolm X (El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz) was a loud mouth and wished he would shut up but thought the same of Martin Luther King,Jr.

Those people of the sixties who did not understand the need to fight for civil rights, today would be the people that embrace ghetto culture. They are the people who embrace rap music and the minstrel show that it has become.

So it would be imprudent for those of us who understand what must be done to better our lives to wait for the masses of people to get on board, they will never get on board. However they will benefit from the victories and changes that will happen.

Money Talks (And Bullshit Runs A Marathon)**

We also cannot expect corporate America to change for the sake of change. Those corporations that make their money destroying the images of African Americans will continue to do so until an economic impediment is put in their way.

For instance; to protest a company such as Viacom is a waste of time. Viacom will continue to exploit the images of Black people for as long as it is profitable to do so.

The job of those who choose to try to make a difference is to take the profit away.

Elaine Brown, Huey P. Newton, c1971

In this New Year, we must use new strategies to make change. We must finally let go of the protest methods of our grandparents and move fully into the new century.

Marches don't work anymore, no matter how many choose to march.

Asking people to simply do what is right will not work, some people either do not have a conscience or choose not to engage it.

In a capitalist nation like America the war must be fought with our wallets. We must put economic impediments in the way of anyone who chooses to attack us; whether it is an individual or a multi-national corporation.

We Are On The Clock

As 2008 begins we must acknowledge that only about 5% of us will not only understand that there is work to do but are willing to participate and make sacrifices.

At this point whatever the problems are that effect African America are known and have been recited over and over. We don't need to spend another year identifying problems.

We need to spend this year fighting the good fight. We know what needs to be done. It's time to act.


Do you agree? What do you think should be the first step?




**Quote from the film New Jack City.

Link-O-Rama 2008!

Are you a writer? Want to get your work published but not sure where to begin? Look at this.

Are you Black and Married and feel like you are one of the few? Well you're not, here is a great website just for you; BlackAndMarriedWithKids.com

I bet you think former rap star MC Hammer is all washed up, well maybe not, read this.

Want news and information that you may not find anywhere else, try HickTownPress.

Want to take a quik trip to Paris? Here is your chance; Symphony takes you on a tour at Essential Pressence.

Enjoy and let me know what you think.

DeBarge - Stay With Me

Several members of the DeBarge family have had serious problems in their lives but making great songs seems to have been no problem at all.

En Vogue - Hold On

Djimon Hounsou is in this video.

Turks and Caicos ...

Propaganda 101

Definition of propaganda (noun) - Information spread in order to promote a particular goal.

If we compare the number of Black men aged 18 to 24 who are in college against the number from that same age group who are in prison, we can see that there are more Black men in college than in prison.

"Of course the comparison is of little use since people of all ages are sent to jail, whereas college students tend to be 18-24 year olds. Murray tracked down the respective figures for those age groups and found that for African American men 18-24, there were 480,000 in college and 180,000 in prison or jail. An young African American male is, in fact, two-and-a-half times as likely to be in college as prison or jail."

Read the rest here: Are More Black Men In Jail Than College?

Five out of every ten American women is single. Seven out of every ten African American women are single. So just 2 more African American Women are single when compared to the general population out of every 10.

In this article, 51% of Women Are Now Living Without Spouse, do they seem to go out of their way to make the stats of Black women seem so much worse than that of other women. They never just say that 5 in 10 White women are single and 7 in 10 Black women are single. In stead they juggle the numbers to make our situation sound so much worse than it is.

Why is it that when looked at another way the numbers don't seem so terrible?

Have we been hoodwinked into believing things are worse than they actually are?

What do you think?

The Chudney Ross Experience: (Part two) Chudney stops by!

"I’m a girl who likes to enjoy the good things in life / a pleasure seeker above all else. If is doesn’t make me smile, feel joy or laugh till my stomachaches, what’s the point?" - Chudney Ross


Update: I originally posted this on December 15; but yesterday I received a wonderful comment from Chudney Ross! So I thought I would re-post it because I'm excited about receiving a comment from Chudney. Just click on comments to see hers.

Chudney Ross is Diana Ross' youngest daughter and Tracee Ellis Ross' little sister. She's also a model, socialite and blogger.

I love Chudney Ross' blog because it allows me to live vicariously through her posts about her jet set lifestyle. I've read her posts about travelling to the Far East, attending Fashion Weeks in New York and in L.A. I've enjoyed reading about her shopping exploits from Hong Kong to L.A. I get to go along on the red carpet and to the best restaurants.

Chudney has a fun bubbly personality that brightens my day. Every time I read Chudney's blog I feel like I've been on a mini vacation.

Need a little vacation? Check out Chudney's blog. See it here: Chudney Ross

The White Stripes - Icky Thump

I love The White Stripes and I love this song. Jack White is really talented. Anybody else like them?

MFSB - Love Is The Message

Paris Dreams...

New Year's Day Traditions...

Still_Pocahontaz at the blog Real Stars Don't Struggle To Shine has taken the time to post and explain some New Years traditions that you may have heard of and some that you may not have heard of. It's a very interesting post.

For instance; did you know that you are not supposed to do laundry or dishes on New Year's day?

Read the rest here; Common New Year's Day Traditions


If you know of any other New Year's traditions let me know!

Boooo 2007!.....Yea 2008!

Happy New Year 2008 Blog Family!
Have a prosperous year!

10 New Year's Resolutions for African America

10 -Stop buying into all the so-called studies about African Americans that tell us how badly we are supposedly doing.

09 - We should stop saying so many negative things about ourselves.

08 - African Americans who think the images of African Americans on BET are demeaning should cancel their cable. ( I don't have much hope for this one)

07 - Shun African Americans who do other African Americans harm. Example R.Kelly

06 - Save money!

05 - Get a passport. (Thanks to the blog HomelandColors for this one) This is something our ancestors could not do. Having a passport is freedom.

04 - Find love or refine the love you have. We need to work on our relationships with each other. Romantic relationships and friendships as well.

03 - Register to vote and VOTE!

02 - Think positive

01 - Read Mes Deux Cents daily!


What do you think of these resolutions? What resolutions would you add for the New Year for African America?

The Sad Truth...

(Click on photo for large view.)

Courtesy HomelandColors/ What Black Men Think

Change featuring Luther Vandross - The Glow Of Love

Twofer Tuesday: Bob Marley & The Wailers or Fugees...Which do your prefer?

Bob Marley & The Wailers - No Woman No Cry


Fugees - No Woman No Cry


Which version do you prefer?