Ain't That The Truth Ruth

I used to love this song growing up. This came out before I had money to buy albums. I never knew who sang Automatic but always assumed it was a man with women background singers. Imagine my surprise when looking up the song on YouTube and aside from finding the sexy Ultra Nate's version of it (and who is that dude...I want him in my room...*LOL*), I discover the original artists are none other than the Pointer Sisters. That really took me for a loop. I had no idea Ruth could sing that low.

Toni's Pulse

I don't know how I missed this but Toni Braxton has a new album coming out in early May. I just watched the video for her first single Yesterday. Thankfully it's not yet another remake of The Beatles Yesterday. Rather it's a duet with Trey Songz (who reminds me of Chris Brown). The song itself does have that commercial sound to it. It actually sounds like something I've heard before. I just can't put my finger on what song. The upswing is that Toni's voice never sounded clearer and the assist by Trey Songz works. I think she finally swallowed her sandwich.

Anyway I'm a diehard Toni fan so I'll be grabbing her LP when it comes out. Time will tell whether or not the Toni of the mid 90s makes a triumphant return.

Naked Sushi

This would be an interesting place to enjoy sushi (aside from the obvious adjustment needed). Notice the one guy on the corner was way quiet. Guess he was too focused on the model and the food to contribute to the inane conversation.

Chopped & Screwed 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

2010 is shaping up to be a screwed and choppy year for me. But not necessarily in a bad way as you'll later read. Actually just to summarize on my holiday, it went fine. I trained it to Detroit on Christmas Eve and stayed until the 29th. This year for Secret Santa I had my Mom's name. I wound up getting her a basket of lotion, hand soap, and body gels from Bath & Body Works. For good measure I also got my Godmother the same. My Dad had my name for Secret Santa and he went and bought me a new Bed in a Bag. I did need some new sheets so that was cool. I have to admit it's nice seeing my Dad actually buying gifts. It's a bit of a reversal of roles since my Mom usually bought all the gifts growing up. Now it's my Mom that's slipped in the gift buying department. Its mostly due to the Parkinson's and her not being able to drive. She was so happy to have my Dad's name for Secret Santa. She actually bought his gift after the holidays while I took her shopping. That left Tasha and Trina with having each other's names.

As far as the "coming out to my parents" deal I blogged about last year (hee), I'm wavering again. But I did finally tell my older sis Tasha about it on our way to dinner with my younger sis. So both of my sisters officially know. I knew it would be a nonevent and even prefaced it by telling Tasha that I knew she already knew, which she did.

I decided to make an effort to be closer to both my sisters by treating them to dinner. Since Trina worked late we wound up going to a Chinese buffet closer to her job. We had a nice time catching up and the hope is we'll get together more often in 2010.

Since having my car accident last November on Thanksgiving no less (yeah I didn't get a chance to blog about that), I'm realizing that I need to make a greater effort to connect with my family. We're only on the Earth for such a short time and tomorrow isn't guaranteed for anyone.

I even got to hang out with Eugene while he was in Detroit. Actually he needed a place to crash after Christmas in Chicago for a day or so before his friend (lost love Larry) drove from his place in Wisconsin to pick him up, their ultimate destination being the 2010 Sugar Bowl (whereever it was...*LOL*). I wasn't going to be home during that time so we needed to meet so I could give him my keys.

So all in all it was a full holiday. I ended 2009 getting tipsy on a date. This happened on December 30th. I met this guy TopChef from Springfield, IL who was visiting his family in Northwest Indiana for dinner. We had a nice time. I guess I had too nice a time drinking a total of one rum/coke, a half bottle of Pinot Noir (with our dinner), and later on two Pomegranate Cosmos and a lager beer. TopChef drank as much as I did but he was better able to handle his liquor. I was tipsy enough that I had to get a hotel (well TopChef did) where we of course made out madly but didn't have full blown sex. He had such suction with his mouth that he nearly pulled my tongue out my socket a few times.

Since I was tipsy on the 30th I limited my alcohol on New Year's Eve to two drinks, though that didn't stop me from getting a drink spilled on me in the wee hours of 2010 while dancing at a nightclub.

Ain't that screwed and chopped up? But that's not as screwed and chopped as some of these songs I found on YouTube. Apparently screwed and chopped music originated from Houston, Texas in the mid 90's. I guess I missed that somehow. Perhaps not living in Houston played a role. Apparently it's a way of remixing hip-hop music to play in a slower beat. The results are funny but oddly enough enticing. In fact some of the songs sound even better after getting the "chopped and screwed" treatment. I'll close my blog with a few selections that I liked. I will definitely be looking for more "chopped and screwed" music in the future.


Mariah Carey - We Belong Together


Kut Klose - I Like


Aaliyah - One In A Million


Alexander O'Neal - If You Were Here Tonight


Phil Collins/Jeffrey Osbourne - Easy Lover

R.I.P. Alaina & Britney

I was doing some random website reading and was sad to hear that actress Alaina Reed Hall died a few days ago. She's most famous for playing a photographer on the long time series Sesame Street. But I will always remember her as Rose from the series 227.

She died from breast cancer and was 63. Her passing of course won't get nearly the hoopla that Michael Jackson's did but nonetheless it's truly a sad time in the entertainment world. But I know she'll be saying hi to her neighbor Pearl (Helen Martin) in heaven.





Also I found out yesterday that Britney Murphy from Clueless fame died. There's rampant speculation that she was anorexic. And from some pictures I would admit that a sandwich or two might have done her some good. But an official autopsy is being done to determine her cause of death, which early reports say was a heart attack. She was only 32. Damn.

R.I.P. Britney and Alaina.

RIO Top Ten - Round 3

Some newer readers may be wondering why I'm titling this entry the way I've done. Some may be asking themselves what exactly is a RIO?

The RIO was this brand of MP3 player that I owned four years ago. The title mentions it is round 3 because both rounds 1 and 2 occurred around the same time I owned the RIO.

Basically each round consisted of the top ten songs that I've been jamming to at the time. I no longer have that RIO since it broke on me. It's been replaced with an I-pod I won from my job in a random raffle. I also listen to music via Pandora, a free web-radio interface on Blackberry.

So without further delay, here's my latest top ten songs that I've been jamming to from bottom to the top. These are the top songs that keep me in line during my workouts in and out of the gym.










10) Just Dance, Lady Gaga, The Fame Monster - The truth is I'm not the biggest fan of Lady Gaga. The version of Just Dance that I linked isn't even the version that I like. But her remix of the song is on point. Though mostly I like the rapper interlude where he makes references to Ciara's 1, 2 Step song. Funny thing, that version also has a nicer bass sound. It's that sound that quickly commands my attention whether I'm grooving in the car or moving around in the gym.










9) I Hate This Part - Pussycat Dolls, Doll Domination - Call me crazy for loving these stripper girls. Just about all their singles are catchy if not following the same formula. Then again if it's not broke, why fix it. This particular song seems to bring out strong emotions of remorse everytime it plays. I watch the video every so often, even though I have to ignore the fact that the PCD girls are being all seductive in a desert while Nicole sings at the beginning that she and her beau are driving slow in the snow on 5th Avenue. Why don't videos even try to relate to the lyrics anymore? Hemingway she gets me when she gets all dramatic in the end going "I gotta do it. I gotta do it." Good song to jam to on the elliptical when I got to do those last couple minutes to make it an hour.










8) Circus, Britney Spears, Circus - I think this may have been Britney's 2nd comeback album. But the title song off her album is a real treat to listen. I like it mostly because my life sometimes feels like a circus with the juggling of work, family, and men. And what better song to get through the circus of free weight machines than the aptly titled one from Britney. I also like her distinction in saying there's only two types of people in the world, those who entertain and those who observe. Guess which category I fall under?










7) Scandalous, Mis-Teeq, Mis-Teeq - This group is originally from Britain and the single Scandalous was the first one to my knowledge to hit the states. When I first started hearing it, I remember being turned out by the pulsating hypnotic beats. It's a pretty seductive song and it's one of those songs that makes you want to shake your booty at the gym. But since I'm at the gym, it does give me the energy to pump up an extra two ab curls.









6) I Want You, Paris Avenue featuring Robin One, I Want You - Pandora decided to go complete random on me one evening and this song popped in. Sometimes I gloss through these selections because they're off the wall. I usually give a song at least ten seconds before I decide to do so. I Want You grabbed me especially when the male singer took the reins. I assume his name is Robin One, no idea. But he kind of was giving me vintage George Michael with his voice. Either way it was very hypnotic and I found myself hoping if I ran into Robin One (or a guy I really like at the gym), that he'd want me like I wanted him. Even if I don't go and introduce myself. Corny I know...*LOL*.









5) Cry Me A River, Justin Timberlake, FutureSex / LoveSounds - Justin really stepped his game when releasing this album. As with most songs I like, it's usually something in the lyrics that brings me to enjoy the song. What did it for me was Justin's taunting of said ex-girlfriend who basically didn't appreciate what she had with him and now that she's getting the same treatment from the new person she's with, she shouldn't come crying to him. It's that whole 'the grass is always greener on the other side but it really isn't' scenario. So next time someone dumps you, in the event they try to come back to you, tell them to go fuck themselves and go cry themselves a river.










4) You Gets No Love, Faith Evans, Faithfully - I love how the song starts off with Faith singing "I Know It's Not Too Ghetto" knowing damn well that her pose on the album cover and the video of You Gets No Love shows her at her most ghetto state. This song is definitely the jam even years later. I usually have it playing on repeat at least a half dozen times before moving on to the next song. The video has Faith doing the rap instead of P. Diddy and since I prefer Faith's version, I was disappointed that version didn't make the album. I like how I can apply this song to some many zeros I've dated over the years.










3) Yeah!, Usher, Confessions - Usher to me has always been a hit or miss artist. I liked a few of his songs from his albums but have only been motivated to buy one of his albums, of which the songs I liked weren't from the one I'm highlighting here. But Yeah! is one of those songs that keeps you awake and you can't help but think of Usher's dance moves while trying to make your own moves. That's my honest confession.










2) We Break The Dawn, Michelle Williams, Unexpected - Of course she's more famous as being the bridge girl of Destiny's Child. Her previous two releases were gospel themed so the expectation was that she would release another gospel album. To everyone's surprise, she released a more house sounding album and in the process found a genre that best suits her voice. It's a shame that Unexpected was mostly slept on. Her lead single here serves as a nice techno rich boom that is perfect for when focusing on your arm muscles.

AnD ThE NumbeR OnE TunE PlayinG ON MY RiO!!!!!!

1) Maneater, Nelly Furtado, Loose - There was a lot of controversy when Nelly released this particular album. A lot of folks felt like she was selling out from her folksy style of music. Nelly's own explanation was that she was trying something different because she was at a different place in her life (with recently having a child). So she worked alongside Timbaland and this jam was one of the masterpieces that came off that album. Maneater is absolutely the top favorite jam I listen to when at the gym and on the road. I Like to imagine myself as this Maneater, even though I'm nowhere close to that.

So with that this concludes this edition of RIO Top Ten, even though technically I don't have a RIO no more. What tunes do you all listen to these days?

McGraw Rant

This rant is so old news but I've been reading on Television Without Pity about 11/16's episode of the View (because lord knows I don't care to watch much of that dreck anymore, even on the days I work from home...*LOL*). But apparently Tim McGraw (and tell me that's not really him...*LOL*) was on the view harping about Kayne West's hijacking of Taylor Swift at the VMA's. When did that happen again? That's so old news. Kayne is a egotistical jerk (the remix of Beyonce's EGO with his intro perfectly displays that) but everyone knows that. I will have to watch that episode on Hulu.com to see if McGraw's comments bordered of being racist (as was alluded to by some of the posters). Of course anyone who saw the episode can chime in anytime.

But that aside, Kayne apologized to Taylor. Taylor accepted the apology. If anything Taylor should be sending Kayne a "Thank You" note for making her more famous. She's had appearances everywhere including Saturday Night Live. So I don't think she's hurting anymore.

Anyway I need to get to work.

Dream Job

I promise I'll be typing more soon.

Got Hunk?

Buffalo Stance

Happiness is finally walking into a local Chicago area Subway and finding out they have Buffalo Chicken on their menu.    I've only been waiting three years to try that sub.   It's available for a limited time so of course the minute I saw it, I had to try it.    So after the long wait, was it worth it you say?   It was good, not the best.    But I was satiated.

Speaking of Buffalo Stance....check out this classic song from the 80's.:

Back 2 Vogue

I can't believe I missed this. But a few months back, all four original members of En Vogue made an appearance on Wayne Brady's Don't Forget The Lyrics and raised a good sum of money for three different charities. You know me seeing that is fueling those long dormant rumors of them coming back for another album, especially since they seemed to all get along. I'd still love Rhona to make an appearance since she's helped keep them somewhat alive. Damn those ladies can still sing and they still look hot. If I were a straight man....*LOL*.

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V

McLaughin Stud

If anyone watches the McLaughin Group, the last word you would use to describe anyone on the McLaughin group is a stud. I keep forgetting to watch the show but always enjoy watching the antics of the various members of the group whenever I do get to watch it. Nine times out of ten, I'm usually able to catch it whenever I'm in Detroit visiting my folks.

Looking at the trusty Internet Movie Database site, apparently the show's been on the air since 1982, though it's not clear whether or not John McLaughin has been host since that time. I do see that they have transcripts (including videos) of previous shows on their website from 1998 to present.

So back to the stud comment. Hemingway I was in Detroit this past weekend visiting my parents for the purpose of attempting to declutter some of the items that they have. The reason being that I'm hoping to get them ready for eventually moving out of the old house they're living in now and moving into a smaller place.

So it was Sunday late morning and the McLaughin group was airing their weekly show. As usual I was laughing at John McLaughin's antics along with the various panel members. I noticed that one of their regulars wasn't on this particular episode, namely Eleanor Clift. Instead my eyes and ears were pleasantly assaulted by guest commentator Demetri Sevastopulo. I admit to not caring which side of the political spectrum he was on, just as long as the camera was trained on him and he was allowed to speak. Maybe I read too much into it, but I sensed the other panelists were equally as enamored of him.

I don't know much about him but he's a writer for the Financial Times newpaper. Some of his articles that have been written are included in this link. The link even has an email address for him. I'm so tempted to email but I should probably know more about his work so I don't come across sounding like a fanboy, which I guess this blog entry is all about. Unfortunately there aren't that many pictures of Sevastopulo out there on the Internet. The two I found on Google is what I linked in this entry and aren't his most flattering, even though they give a good idea of his physical appearance. But if you look at the YouTube video below of last week's McLaughin Group episode, he first shows up around the two minute, fifty four second mark. Plus based on IMDB (I love that site), he's made at least two previous appearances on the show, once on 09/09/2007 and again on 12/21/2008. Looks like I have some viewing to do...*LOL*.

Nasty News

I was disturbed to read online the story about a student at Virginia Tech who was found beheaded by another student. Apparently it happened in a public cafe and with an ordinary kitchen knife in front of several witnesses. To my surprise, I saw the news item on Fox news (because they're not biased there...*LOL*) website. I stumbled up on that story after my bff Eugene told me about another disgusting story where a man abandoned 300 rats (story I found since then reduced number to 280 rats) on the side of the road. They were trapped in fish tanks for several days and apparently it became a game of survival of the fittest when the rats started eating each other in desperation.

But back to the Virginia Tech beheading. The university unfortunately was also the sight of a major massacre that occured in April 2007 where over 32 people lost their lives needlessly.

Eugene, himself having a brief tenure at Virgina Tech before moving to Los Angeles, hadn't heard about the news. He was wondering why none of the major networks haven't announced it on any of their news programs. He basically theorized that the news media was basically protecting Virginia Tech's reputation by not sharing the story.

Virginia Tech was very much heavily scrutinized during the massacre shooting. Another major story of a killing would likely cripple it further. But what Eugene couldn't figure out was if the coverup is a mutual thing between V-Tech and the networks or if V-Tech made some kind of arrangement to keep the story out and the media agreed.

Guess we'll never know.

P.S. Midas and I are just enjoying each other and taking things slow. I don't necessarily want to jump quickly into another relationship and I don't get the impression he does either. I'm not sure if it'll go there, though he would definitely be a good catch if it happens.

Aloha Oahu, Aloha Chicago

Sigh...I'm back in Chicago and as of today, back on the job. I want to give a blow by blow detail of my trip to Hawaii but am not feeling up to typing anything right now. I promise to share soon, though.



In other news...
I feel so bad for Jennifer Hudson's family. According to some reports, it's speculated that they found her seven year old nephew shot in the back seat of an SUV. Truly sad.

And apparently there was a plot by some skinheads to kill up to 88 blacks and ultimately an attempt would be made on Obama's life. What a twisted world we live in. There's so many nutjobs around. It's stories like these that make me question having kids of my own (aside from the special hurdles I'd have to go through to have one). Crazy.

This Song Is For You

Visiting NeenaLove's blog inspired me to put up another entry. Following her lead, this entry is all about songs for any given situation. Of course I'm good at typing song lyrics (on occasion) to coincide with whatever topic of the day I blog about. So without further adieu.

1. Song that makes you dance, no matter what:
Dont'cha by Tori Alamaze remade famously by The Pussycat Dolls

2. Song you'd use to tell someone you love them:
This Song Is For You by Zhane (Sappy but your lover gets the message.)

3. Song that has made you sit down and analyze the lyrics:
Free by Prince (I guess the whole don't cry unless you're happy, don't smile unless you're blue threw me off...but it's so deep.)

4. Song you like that a two-year old would like:
The Oompa Loompa Song from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

5. Song that gives you an energy boost:
Free/Sail On by Chante Moore (Whenever I feel trapped in a situation, thinking about or playing this song helps me get through it. Sometimes I have to play it on repeat.)

6. A song you and your parents would like:
The Christmas Song ... as sung by Nat King Cole

7. Song you really liked when you were in high school that you still like now:
Escapade by Janet Jackson.

8. A sad song that would be in the soundtrack of the movie about your life:
She's Out Of My Life performed by Michael Jackson (Such a sad song. I really felt Michael's pain.)

9. Peppy song that would start the opening credits in the movie of your life:
Funky Town by Lipps, Inc.

10. A good song from a genre of music that no one would guess you liked:
In My Secret Life by Leonard Cohen (Sounds a bit like a folksong. I heard it play during an episode of The L Word and fell in love with it instantly.)

11. Song you think should have been playing when you were born:
Gonna Breakthrough by Mary J Blige (Mostly for the metaphoric fact that a newborn has to breakthrough his protective womb.)

12. Favorite duet artists:
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (Somehow I don't think K.C. and Jojo can compare...*LOL*)

13. A favorite song you completely disagree with:
It Wasn't Me by Shaggy

14. Song that you like despite the fact that your IQ level drops several points every time you listen to it:
Do I Look Like A Slut? by Avenue D (The title says it all....so damn catchy, though.)

15. Smooth song for relaxing:
Hotel California Bass Mix Al B Sure (Al's voice was at its sexiest and dreamiest.)

16. A song you would send to someone you can't stand:
Mama Said Knock You Out by LL Cool J

17. Favorite political track:
What's Going On by Marvin Gaye

18. Favorite track from a band considered a "super group":
Super Trouper by ABBA

19. A song that makes you reminisce about good times with a family member:
Together Again by Janet Jackson

20. Favorite song from a soundtrack:
Love Don't Love Me by Eric Benet featured on The Brothers Soundtrack (Ironically The Brothers soundtrack is my least favorite soundtrack and Love Don't Love Me is the only song I liked from it.)

21. Your favorite song RIGHT now:
The Naughty Song by Cory Lee (Another song that The L Word hooked me on.)

What's Up E?

Oh my gosh. I have been so bad in keeping up with my blogging and blogs. I just haven't felt like typing much with everything still being insane at the job. I think I'll pull a Norris and just provide a list of random events or things that have caught my attention in the last month. I reserve the right to ramble on a few.

1) I've been enjoying Season 1 of Dexter on DVD. The title character is a Miami blood forensics expert who moonlights as a serial killer with a twist. He's a killer of other serial killers. I admit it's an interesting dynamic since taking a human life is wrong but at the same time he's taking the lives of those who takes other lives and slip through the system. Plus it's so cool seeing Lauren Velez in another television series. I still have fond memories of her from her New York Undercover days. That's really old school. I also keep hoping Erik King takes off his shirt one day and preferably just wearing briefs. Tight briefs. That brotha is so fine.

2) Has anyone heard of the ROM machine? It claims that you can get a workout the equivalent of 45 minutes on the treadmill in just 4 minutes. I read an AD on the machine in Popular Mechanics, though I vaguely remember seeing the same AD a year ago in another magazine. If you click on the website, they'll send you a free 45 minute DVD or VHS tape on their machine. By the way, it only costs $14,615. They try to justify the cost when compared to long-term gym membership costs and time commitment required. I ordered the DVD, though I probably won't be buying a machine anytime soon. At least not with the way the economy is right now.

3) I went to see Janet Jackson in concert this past Thursday with Sally. Sally was using the concert as a last hurrah of sorts in light of her present financial situation. The concert was the bomb. The majority of the songs played was from her previous albums with a brief snippet of her recent song Feedback. I ran into Rock's bff Ned and his boyfriend NDrama in the hallway while Sally was in the restroom. Of course they got seats near the stage but I wasn't complaining about my lower level seat, which actually gave a very good view of the stage. LL Cool J was her opening act. I was hoping to see a little skin from LL but he kept his shirt on. Overall it was a great concert....now getting out of the parking lot, that was another story.

4) I so need to get ready for my Hawaiian trip. I totally need to contact fellow blogger NeenaLove to find out when we can hang out. Part of me hopes she can hang out with me during a luau, even though that's so touristy. And I need to buy a Spacebag to see if those things really do hold more items in less space. I think I've talked about it before.

5) Any other kefir lovers out there? A co-worker of mine turned me on to the drink a year or so back. I remembered liking it that initial time but not really thinking much of it afterwards. So Hemingway in my continued quest to eat healthier (even though some days that falls to the wayside...*LOL*), I read up on kefir and recalled drinking it before. The main benefit is that it provides good bacteria to your digestive tract, which helps improves digestion. It also helps in absorbing the necessary nutrients that your body needs. Plus it tastes so good. I've been drinking a glass every morning.

6) My one-year anniversary of owning my Nissan Altima is coming up. I still enjoy driving it as much as the day I took it from the lot. I want to get it professionally cleaned soon. I saw the immediate benefits of doing so when cleaning up the Cavalier before giving it to my father and figured an annual cleaning wouldn't be so bad. Of course when I told my bff Eugene about doing that, he had to counter with why I don't do the same thing for my house. I should but sigh...*LOL*.

7) I'm looking forward to the newest Saw movie coming out this Halloween. It seems to be an annual tradition now for those to come out. My only question is why is Lyriq Bent, the fine ass brotha that was in Saw 2, 3, and 4 (especially his prominent role in 4), not listed in the credits for 5? Hopefully he makes a cameo appearance and they are just hiding his name from the credits. After my fiasco last year with trying to see Saw IV with Eugene and the subsequent issues I had with Rock, I think this year I'll opt again for seeing it on my own (like I wound up doing anyway). Besides it's coming out the day after I get back from Hawaii.

8) I went to Detroit last weekend for Tasha's housewarming. I wound up getting her some Partylite candles and holders for her gift. I got to see a few of her friends and co-workers and it was interesting hearing how one of them said that Tasha talks about me all the time. A good interesting, of course. I must admit I was flattered. I got to see Trina as well when she came over after work. Of course I spent the rest of the weekend with the 'rents (heh). Their cats had a bad case of fleas when I was in town last time but luckily the population is under control now.

9) What a mess this country finds itself in. With all this talk of the government bailing out Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and even the auto industry wanting to weigh in on getting help, my question is who's going to bail American out? I was wrapping up my workout (which I so needed) at work and making my way home when the first presidential debate was airing. Luckily I was able to catch a transcript of the debate from CNN's website. It was a shame I missed the historical debate between the two as from the way it read, it sounded really intense. I'm sure it'll be on Youtube soon. But I really looking forward to next week's vice presidential debate with Palin vs. Biden.

There was an interesting article from Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker where in the last few sentences she says in regards to Palin: "McCain can’t repudiate his choice for running mate. He not only risks the wrath of the GOP’s unforgiving base, but he invites others to second-guess his executive decision-making ability. Barack Obama faces the same problem with Biden.

Only Palin can save McCain, her party and the country she loves. She can bow out for personal reasons, perhaps because she wants to spend more time with her newborn. No one would criticize a mother who puts her family first.

Do it for your country." I wonder if that'll be bought up in the debate.

10) I can't think of a point 10....but thought I should have 10 points to make things even. (Although it looks like based on the labels assigned for this post, I've covered almost every category.)

Talk To Myself

This song was the jam back in the day. I had the biggest crush on Christopher Williams. He was part of that New Jack era in music. I believe I read somewhere that he has ties to the late Ella Fitzgerald. I went to Amazon to try and find his first CD to see if it was on sale. But apparently there aren't many copies out there since the cheapest CD available was $60. Now I love Christopher but not that much.

I did remember buying a cassette of his album but I hadn't seen the cassette in years. That changed last week when I was cleaning out my closet and came across his cassette. I was so happy and was ready to play it, especially wanted to hear his jam I'm Your Present. (Let me make sure Rock's not around...*LOL*) Okay...coast clear. Chris could be my present anytime he wants to be.

The sad thing is that I don't even have a cassette player anymore. So I can't play my cassette. Is there anyway to convert my cassette music to CD? I'd love to play his songs on my PC.

Speaking of talking to myself, I've been doing a lot of that and cursing due to my job. Since the day after Labor Day, I've been working insane hours trying to fix various production issues in the system I support. For a few days I'd literally get up and within the hour log on, take a little breather here and there, but stay working till midnight or so. Luckily I did a lot of this from home but it was still pretty taxing on me.

My new manager who I need to come up with a nickname for, assuming I talk about her again, has been pretty supportive, though. She's been encouraging me to get away from the computer. Unfortunately though, my latest onshore coordinator keeps calling me at night with queries, which forces me back on the system. He's nice but can be a bit clingy. Hemingway.

I guess it didn't help during my stressful week that I was doing another MC....*LOL*. So I couldn't even snack while working. Actually that might've been a good thing, though. I'm wrapping up Day 9 now and should be done tomorrow night. I was contemplating doing an 11th day just to break my record but I don't think I can take another day of cayenne limade. Plus I'm starting to get way too skinny.

Tonight before getting home I bought all my ingredients for my veggie soup I'll be enjoying Friday evening. It's the usual carrots, celery, tomatoes, garbanzo beans, bean sprouts, and mushrooms...and of course I'll add lime and cayenne to it.

Sigh so Hemingway just wanted to post a quick entry to let anyone who's still visiting that I'm still around. Again I promise to make more of an effort to visit other blogs. Well as soon as I get past all these production issues. So I guess I'll log back into work. Joy!

Bernie and Isaac - R.I.P.

What's that saying that things seem to happen in threes?

This weekend's been a shocker in terms of celebrity deaths. Estelle Getty was one thing. She was sick for a very long time and her death was expected. But I totally shocked Saturday to read online that Bernie Mac died. His death was especially shocking to me since he was still relatively young at 50. Apparently he was hospitalized for pneumonia and it looks like complications from that did him in.

I've known him mostly for his work on The Bernie Mac Show. I watched it on and off but was never really hooked on it. I believe his show was released on DVD recently. So I will definitely have to check it out.

Then as if Bernie's death wasn't sad enough, I then read that Isaac Hayes was found dead the next day. Apparently he was found by someone next to his treadmill. His cause of death wasn't determined at the time the article came out.

His lyrics to one of his most infamous songs still gets to me everytime I listen to it:

"If you see me walking down the street,
And I start to cry, each time we meet.
Walk on by, walk on by

Make believe you don't see the tears
Just let me grieve in private
'Cos each time I see you, I break down and cry
Walk on by, walk on by, just walk on by"

Isaac had that quiet storm quality to him. Like Barry White, his low baritone voice could instantly be recognized. He enjoyed later success as "The Chef" on South Park and also guest starred as Toni Child's father in Girlfriends.

Isaac was 65 .

Both men will definitely be missed. I'd like to think that the two of them along with Estelle are cracking jokes in heaven now.

R.I.P. Estelle

I was working out Tuesday night at my work gym and was shocked to see the streaming news on CNN announce Golden Girl Estelle Getty passing away at 84. I wasn't shocked in the sense that she passed. Estelle was sick for a very long time with Lewy Body Dementia. Estelle was also a big supporter of gay rights from what I've heard. It was indeed sad to hear of her passing. But if nothing else, she's in peace now.

I spent tonight consoling Eugene and Rock, who both stated Sophia was their favorite character. We were reminiscing over some of her best one-liners on the show. Remember these?

Sophia had quite a few fart jokes:

"Oh, I thought I was safe backed up against these pillows."

"Hey! Who told you to feed me cabbage?"

"That was me, and thank you for calling it to everyone's attention!"

Zingers on Blanche:

Blanche: "I think I'm going to sit in the tub with just enough water to cover my perky bosoms."
Sophia: "You're only gonna sit in an inch of water??"

Blanche: "...Sophia."
Blanche's Date: "You must be Blanche's sister."
Sophia: "You must be blind."

Blanche: "I'm gorgeous. I'm going to have to meet men lying down."
Sophia: "I thought you did."

Blanche: "I'm abhorred."
Sophia: "We know what you are Blanche. I'm glad to finally hear you admit it."
Blanche: "Sophia, I said abhorred."
Sophia: "Abhorred. A slut. A tramp. It's all the same thing."

Zingers on Rose:
Rose: "He's a very heavy sleeper!"
Sophia: "You could light firecrackers in his nose, he still wouldn't wake up!!!"

Sophia: 'You know Rose, I'm really enjoying this. You and I having a quiet cup of coffee together."
Rose: "Me too Sophia. Because you know-"
Sophia: "I said quiet."

Dorothy: "You don't get cramps once a month. You don't go on eating binges once a month. You don't get crazy once a month."
Sophia: "You just grow a beard!"
Rose: "I never grew a beard!"
Sophia: "You never grew brains, either!"

Rose: "Dorothy's the smart one, Blanche is the sexy one and Sophia, you're the old one, and I'm the nice one. Everybody always likes me."
Sophia: "The old one isn't so crazy about you!

Zingers on Dorothy:
Dorothy: "I don't want two grown men fighting over me."
Sophia: "Pussycat, how many chances are you going to get?"
Dorothy: "Proceed."

Sophia: "Dorothy, when was the last time you had sex?"
Dorothy: 'That's a very personal question."
Sophia: "That long, huh?"

Dorothy: "We are not jealous, Ma. We are angry. You left us sitting in jail."
Sophia: "Jealousy is a very ugly thing, Dorothy. And so are you in anything backless?"

Dorothy: "If I had lived with Stan before we got married, I could've spared us both some very painful times...and a bitter divorce."
Sophia: "And possibly had given birth to reasonably attractive children."

Sophia: "What the hell are you doing home? I thought you had a 4 o'clock beauty parlor appointment."
Dorothy: "I did. They finished with me early."
Sophia: "On Christie Brinkley they can finish early. You need every minute you can spare."

Rest in Peace, Estelle. Your body of work on the Golden Girls will live on.

Back off Biatch!

I got this interesting article from Rock who in turn got it from one of Yahoo's bulletin boards. Apparently NBA star Doug Christie nearly choked to death over the weekend in front of a large crowd of people because his wife wouldn't let a woman doctor near him to save his life. Here's more details from the article. Talk about crazy. Both husband and wife sound as nutty as they come. Sometimes you just can't make this shit up.

SACRAMENTO--Jackie Christie, wife of NBA star Doug Christie, refused to let a female doctor save her husband's life Saturday when he nearly choked to death during a dinner at the Pilothouse Restaurant in Sacramento . Christie frantically screamed for a doctor after her husband began gagging on a chicken bone, but when Clarissa Jordan, a 41-year-old female doctor, rushed to his aid, Christie grew agitated. She reportedly told Jordan t o "back off" even as Doug's face turned purple and his breath came out in short, labored gasps.

Bystanders watched in horror as Jackie Christie calmly waited for a male patron to save her husband's life. Luckily, Sanjay Mehta, a local medical student who was sitting at the bar in an adjacent room, was able to apply the Heimlich maneuver just in time to avert a tragedy. The chicken bone came up, and Jackie defended her decision not to let a female doctor save her husband.

"Miss Clarissa Jordan, or whatever her name is, came running over like a poodle in heat," said Christie. "I could tell she was lusting after my husband, which is why I wouldn't let her near him. Sure, she's a doctor, but that's a great way to get her little tongue down my husband's throat. Believe me, I'm no fool. Plus, m y husband would never want a female doctor saving his life. He'd feel too guilty having another woman lay her hands on him. He'd rather die. I'm sure of it."

Bystanders reported that Christie was not satisfied to simply wave Jordan away. Instead, she began beating the woman with her purse until the horrified doctor fled in terror. Christie said those claims were exaggerated, but did admit to "getting physical with her."

"I wouldn't say I beat her that hard. I just was trying to deter her from her ultimate goal of having sex with my dying husband," said Christie. "Yes, I hit her a couple time with my purse, but I had to. The woman was relentless! She kept saying 'He's going to die! He's going to die!' And I was like 'Whatever, bitch. Keep your hands to yourself.'"

After Jordan fled the scene, another female attempted to call 9-1-1, but she, too, was thwarted by Jackie Christie. The women, 29-year-old waitress Cheryl Malcolm, insisted that she was just trying to help.

"After that woman [Jordan] got beat up, I realized Doug was still choking," she said. "So I ran over, grabbed my cell phone and started dialing 9-1-1. Then [Christie] slapped the phone out of my hand and told me to mind my business and stop looking at her husband like that. I had no idea what she was talking about. I would never look at that guy in a sexual way. Gross."

After Malcolm was turned away, it looked like the end for Doug Christie. The Kings forward lay in a heap on the floor, his face bulging and red, his fists clenched, and his throat clogged with a large chicken bone, while Jackie sat with her arms folded and waited.

"I don't know the Heimlich maneuver or anything like that, so I didn't want to try anything that would hurt my baby," said Christie. "I was getting a little nervous, especially when his eyes started bulging out of his head, but I knew if I waited long enough, some guy would come along and save him. If not, Doug would have been killed. But it's Ok. I made him promise to come back and haunt me after he dies."

Dr. Mehta was summoned into the room by a frantic patron who witnessed the choking. After he administered the Heimlich to Christie, he noted that if another moment had passed, Doug would've surely perished.

"I am extremely surprised that this man's wife did now allow Miss Jordan to save his life," said Mehta. "If another minute had gone by, he would surely be dead. In my country, this mad woman would have her hands cut off and her vagina sewn shut."

After being revived, Doug hugged his wife and breathed a sigh of relief. He thanked Dr. Mehta for saving his life, and recalled the final moments before he was rescued.

"Whew, that was a close call," said Christie, wiping the sweat off his brow. "I actually saw scenes from my life flashing by. The funny thing was that my wife was in all of the scenes, even the ones from my childhood before I met her. She was just there in the background with her arms folded, shaking her head disapprovingly. Huh. I bet a shrink would have a field day with that one, huh? A male shrink, of course."

After thanking Dr.. Mehta, Christie also offered some words of gratitude to his wife.

"Although I am glad to be alive, I'm equally glad that my wife spared me the indignity of having another woman give me the Heimlich," he continued. "That would've been catastrophic. Even if I had lived, what kind of life what that have been, knowing that I looked at, and briefly touched, another woman? I guess it would be kind of a normal life, actually. Anyway, that's the last time I ever eat chicken."

In order to avoid future incidents like the one that took place at the Pilothouse, the Christies have decided never to eat in a public place again.

"There's a lot of danger to eating in public," said Doug. "The outside world is fraught with peril. You never know, you could be sitting there eating, minding your business, and a chicken bone could get lodged in your throat causing you to need assistance from a female doctor or paramedic. Don't laugh. It happened to us, and it could happen to you."