HouseHusbands of Hollywood

While I try to stay as far away as possible from "reality" shows, I do tend to find one or two that catch my attention from time to time. My newest reality vice this year has been Fox Reality Channel's "Househusbands of Hollywood". The premise of the show is to basically follow the day to day lives of husbands/significant others where the female is the primary bread winner. The show features:

• Billy - former professional Baseball player with the Dodgers and husband to a Hollywood make-up artist and father of two beautiful girls.
• Danny - newlywed, aspiring actor, now supported by his wife whose an Attorney (who works too much) and father to 2 Pugs.
• Charlie - Actor, whose wife is a psychologist is a father of one and a has served time in prison (He's also a friend of Ryan O'Neal).
• Grant - Former marine/actor whose the husband of a LA TV Personality and dad to Ruby.
• Darryl - Actor best known for his role as Ron on "A Different World" and partner of 16 years of Tempest Bledsoe(Vanessa Huxtable-"The Cosby Show").

There are several reasons why I like this show but the most important one is the relationship that is shown within their families as well as one another. I'm sure it's not easy to be known as a Mr. Mom, but in reality most of these men are just that. They take care of their households, support their partners, and still manage to carve out time to bond and support one another. This show gave me a different perspective on men that stay at home and how the family dynamic is affected. I'm not sure my husband could handle staying at home full time with our daughter while I work. (I'm honestly not sure how I would handle it either). The show has a lot to offer and grows on me more and more each week. Check it out on Fox Reality Channel, Saturday nights at 10:00 pm.

Philadelphia planning to close all public libraries Oct. 2

I thought I was hearing things on Tuesday when I heard a news report stating the city of Philadelphia was closing all public libraries. As I continued to search online newspapers, I found that the story was indeed true. I cannot believe this. As an avid reader and lover of books, I was outraged. I was even more outraged to learn that this wasn't necessarily due to lack of funds but rather the failure of the State Legislature to pass a budget. OMG..are you kidding? This is the most ridiculous thing I've heard in a long time and I've heard some pretty stupid things in my life.

The Public Library isn't only a place where any citizen can check out a book for free, or read a magazine, they serve a more important role in the community than some people realize. Here is a list of some of the services a public library offers:

• Access to computers for children that may not have access to one at home
• Computer classes
• After school programs
• Various programs for adults
• Story Time for young kids

Public libraries are vital to the development of our young people. In a nation where our educational system is already lacking from that of foreign lands, how can any government entity think this is reasonable solution to solving a budget crisis. I'm truly aware the economy is in a rough state at this time. That's why it's more important than ever for these institutions to remain available as a community resource. Maybe the city of Philadelphia should cut some of those high salaries in your government starting at the top and have few fundraisers, be creative. The future of our nation could depend on it.

Finally, a President who cares; so why all the controversy?

I watched the President Obama's speak to young America yesterday and I'm trying to wonder why was there so much controversy surrounding the speech. I know that racism exists in this country and probably always will as long as idiots exist, but how long must the political ignorance continue. I know there are many who don't agree with his politics and that's their right. But are people really so stupid as to think he would push a political agenda through our children. I was almost ashamed of some of the people interviewed in Georgia. I heard everything from "He's pushing a socialist agenda" to "He's a communist", to "I don't want my children to be forced to hear about health care reform". What child cares about going to the doctor or how he gets paid. That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Should American children aka the leaders of tomorrow really be forced to suffer at the hands of stupid and ignorant parents? Please don't get me wrong, as a parent, I understand the need, want, and the right to protect our children but not allowing them to hear from the current leader of the country on any topic is ridiculous.

America is a wonderful place that allows us the freedom to disagree with our government and make our voices heard, but at what cost. Let's be honest, our educational system needs lots of improvements. Some school systems in the state of Georgia only have a graduation rate of 50%, that's crazy. I love that we have a leader who takes the current education crisis seriously and feels the urgency in preparing our children to enter the real world someday. Why is the city of Atlanta forced to impose a curfew during school hours for children between the ages 6-17 just to deter crime? Shouldn't parents know where their children are during the day anyway? I know kids will be kids and you can't control their every move but what ever happened to setting expectations? My mother never expected me to be a genius but she let me know that quitting wasn't an option. As a single parent, she worked a lot to support us but that was never an excuse. If she couldn't help me with my homework, my aunt who was only 10 years older than me would. Though she couldn't volunteer at the school like some parents, or attend PTA meetings, she was always involved. Isn't that what parents are supposed to do?

Our children deserve to know someone cares and believes in them. If more parents took responsibility and showed more interest in their children's education, a pep talk from the President wouldn't even be necessary. Unfortunately, some children don't have the benefit of parents with sense, so if the President has to be the one to say it, hey I'm all for it.

Gone too soon..

The very first friend I made when I moved to Georgia passed away this weekend. She was a sweet girl and very kind. She opened her home and heart to me when she barely knew me. I was a friend of her cousin, but she quickly became my friend as well.

Over the years, life took over and I lost touch not only with my friend but with her cousin as well. I'm not sure why, but I'm sure it was my fault. When I heard of her passing today, I immediately began to cry. Of course I was sad that she was gone and that her life ended so soon. But I was also sad because I had taken her friendship and kindness for granted and I'm not sure I ever thanked her. She never asked for anything in return and always greeted me with a smile and a kind word. To say she is gone to soon can't even describe what I'm feeling right now and who am I anyway to determine anyone's time. I'm sure it was her time but I always ask "why?"

I offer my condolensces to her family and friends for only they know how special she truly was. I often hear that people are in your life for a reason and a season and most of the time, I can say AMEN to that. This time I'm afraid the season came and went too soon for me and I will never get a chance to thank her for taking me into her home and embracing me the way she did. Though I didn't know her long or maybe as well as most, I will always have fond memories of her. I will miss you C.J. RIP.

What was the "mystery" behind Steve McNair's death??

Last night, Dateline NBC aired their much anticipated story of Steve McNair titled The Mysterious Death of a Titan. I’m not sure what was so “mysterious” about his death, but anyway. The story documented his rise to fame from Mt. Olive Mississippi to leading the Tennessee Titans to the 2000 Superbowl and then ultimately his untimely death at the hands of his mistress of 6 months Sahel(Jenny) Kazemi. This story has received lots of publicity in the past months but I still find the story fascinating and almost shocking to some degree. I say shocked because, it appears that this man led an entirely separate life from his wife and children presumably in the public eye.

Dateline interviewed the former roommate/best friend of Kazemi who gave a first hand account of the relationship between the two and basically described the relationship as normal and loving. Eddie George,friend and former teammate of Steve McNair talked about Steve the athlete , philanthropist and friend. The McNair family minister spoke of Steve’s plight as a person in the public eye struggling with his family obligations and his personal vices (i.e. his affairs with women). Each of these people knew a different side of Steve but no on knew his callous actions would lead to a traumatic ending on July 4th, 2009.

In addition to friends and family, Dateline also interviewed Brenda L. Thomas, former personal assistant to NBA player Stephon Marbury and author of three best sellers including Every Woman’s Got a Secret. Ms. Thomas offered insight into these “types” of relationships based on her experience in the business. She suggested that the downfall of the relationship was due to neither party playing by the rules. The rules being: Steve didn’t set the appropriate boundaries and Jenny didn’t understand that Steve would never leave his wife for her. This was very interesting to me.

Are there really rules for cheating men and their mistresses? Is the woman on the side supposed to assume that she will never get the man? Should the man make sure the rules are set before getting involved in an extramarital affair? I’m not sure, but to me, it would be easier to stay at home (a lot safer at least). Did Kazemi’s age play a part in her dream of a fairy tale ending? I guess in a way, Ms. Thomas was correct because if McNair and Kazemi observed these “rules” from the beginning, they both would be alive today, maybe.

Why are people still hating on Tyler Perry??

According to ajc.com, Tyler Perry has issued a statement via Facebook and Twitter regarding fraudulent ad's for extras listed (the ad wanted to charge potential extras a $29.95 fee to join a casting club) on Craigslist:

“It’s a lie, don’t fall for it,” writes Perry to fans. “These folks are trying
to rip you off. I hate for people to prey on people’s dreams and hopes. Why
don’t people get a job and stop trying to steal folks’ hard-earned money.”

Perry goes further to indicate that he will seek legal action to stop the dream thieves. Now I applaud Mr. Perry for taking a stand against those attempting to profit from his name. Further, I think it's sad, that in these hard economic times, you have people out there trying to make money off of people who may have nothing but a dream of being discovered. These people should be ashamed and prosecuted to the highest extent of the the law. However, some people aren't as enthusiastic as I. Some posters on the ajc.com blog are accusing Tyler Perry of using this scam as a publicity stunt. Other's state that he treats his extras poorly when they are on set (I'm not sure what this had to do with the actual article..).

So my question is: Why do so many people still hate on Tyler Perry?? Is it because he is a successful Black man proving the reality of the American Dream? Or is it because of plain old fashioned jealousy?

While his TV shows may not appeal to the masses, it’s no denying that this man has Hollywood’s attention. He’s setting box office records for opening weekends, making full feature movies in half the time of major studios, setting records in TV broadcasting with two top-rated TV shows on the TBS cable network. Not to mention, he is creating jobs and opportunities, in addition to inventing a new reality for our youth. How many people can say that?

They're dead, now what???

It seems like every time I turn on the news or surf the net, I'm always hearing about a murder suicide or someone killing a person because that person no longer wanted to be with them. Someone found out their spouse was cheating and killed the husband and then turned the gun on himself. I guess the most recent instance is the murder-suicide of Steve McNair and his crazy jump-off. I have to wonder, is it really that serious? Was it that good? You never really know what makes another person tick, but wow I bet he never thought "this chick is crazy enough to kill me and her". I wouldn't think that. What makes a person so obsessed with another that they feel they have to harm them or worse kill them, so that no one else can have them? And doesn't killing yourself after the fact defeat the purpose? If he/she is dead, there is absolutely no chance they will come back to you and if you're dead, what was the point?

Don't get me wrong, I have loved someone before that didn't love me the same, but I never once thought of killing him and then killing myself. That is so crazy. I mean, I am no stranger to lost love or a broken heart but I don't understand how killing the person solves anything. In the end, they are gone, you are locked up (if the suicide attempt didn't work) and everyone around you suffered for your stupidity. Nothing or no one should make you compromise yourself or your common sense. The next time you want to run someone over because they pissed you off, think about this-"If they die, was my brief moment of rage really worth 15-20+?" I'm just saying, the price for stupidity is often high, can you really afford it? Why do you want someone that doesn't want you anyway, look for purpose and love elsewhere.