Author: Message from Montie

 

There’s a plethora of talent in Chicago, but it’s not a secret that Chicago artists tend to go on the East Coast or West Coast to further their careers. R&B singer Donell Jones, who is  most popular for songs like “Shorty Got Her Eyes on Me” and “U Know What’s Up” featuring the late TLC member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, has cut ties with La Face record label after four CDs and gone independent with his label, Candyman Music Inc.

On December 9, 2009, Donell Jones released “The Lost Files,” which were unreleased tracks made during the making of his first four CDs–“My Heart” (1996), “Where I Wanna Be” (1999), “Life Goes On” (2002) and “Journey of a Gemini” (2006). Now he’s back in the studio working on his untitled 2010 CD. Although in his beginning years he had to travel to Washington D.C. for a radio conference to get his career going because “if you wasn’t making music like R. Kelly, nobody was really checking for you” and loves his current home in Atlanta, which he’s nicknamed “The Baby New York,” when asked if he’s from Chicago, he proudly boasts “Oh, no doubt!”

From the tilted hat, crease in his pants on his Twitter page, laid-back and sultry performances to his friendly demeanor during the interview with Shamontiel, Donell Jones is so Chicago.

 

Excerpt from interview:

Shamontiel: What is your favorite part of being a singer?

Donell Jones: I enjoy writing the songs and going out and performing them. I love writing for myself because the stories I tell are personal experiences so for me it’s almost like getting something off your chest.

Since you write songs about yourself personally, what is the most memorable experience you’ve had with someone who knew the song was about them?

“Where I Wanna Be” was a song about a lady I was with for a lot of years, and we turned out to be the best of friends. I don’t have any horror stories.

Click here to read more.

By now you should’ve gotten all of your W-2s and 1099s, and you’re preparing for tax season before the deadline date of April 15, 2010. For some people, it’s a time to roll in the dough and get some much needed dinero. You’re dancing around your home like you’re Swizz Beatz and saying, “Somebody bring me back some money please,” but don’t let Uncle Sam switch up the chorus on you. For others, like me who usually end up with an underpayment and have to pay the state, tax season can be a frustrating time. Even worse, I completed my taxes this weekend and owe the Feds and the state.

Here is the downside of being a freelance writer and an independent contractor. Although you do get more money up front for projects and are paid in full, you are held responsible for paying your own taxes. This could end up being pretty expensive come January for any contracted job that pays you $600 or more. But with the right recordkeeping, you can make doing your taxes a little less painful.

Lesson One: Each company that has paid you $600 or more is required to send a 1099 form. However, you are responsible for disclosing payments of all jobs that you’ve completed in any given year as an independent contractor. You will have to fill out the Schedule C (Form 1040) entitled, “Profit or Loss from Business.” This form asks you to calculate your gross receipts or sales, business expenses, home office expenses, travel expenses and any repairs and maintenance. This form is imperative to show how much you made versus how much you spent. If your total is negative and you spent more than you made, you must disclose this information to show that your investment is not at risk. If it is a risky investment, you may end up paying all that money back if you’re not honest about it. (I had a previous co-worker who was an author, and he’d charge everything he did as a business expense even if it was for personal reasons. Ten years later, he’s still paying off his back debt.)

Lesson Two: Keep a file cabinet to house all of your folders and binders for the previous year’s self-employment expenses. You do not want to wait until the last minute to have to dig information out about your home business.

Lesson Three: Keep all of your receipts. If you claim computer repairs and maintenance because you do most of your business via computer, you will have to prove this. If you bought an ink cartridge, replaced a camera battery, bought printer paper or had to buy gas to go out “in the field” to cover an assignment, you can calculate that as an expense, but you have to be able to prove it was for business. This includes keeping track of how many miles you’ve traveled or how much you use items for business use versus personal use. Include household bills that you use for your home business, such as your Internet or phone bill for communication and reporting. Make a copy of your bills, one for your checking account (or however you paid for the repairs) and one for your taxes. Each time you purchase something for your home business, make a copy of the receipts and put them all in your business folder for that year.

Lesson Four: Become best friends with Excel. Every time you purchase something for your business, you should add this information to an Excel spreadsheet, and use formulas to calculate your expenses and profits. By the time you get to the Schedule C form at the end of the previous year, you’ll already know what that form will look like.

Lesson Five: If you did not make a profit from your business, subtract the profit from the expenses. The negative calculation you come up with can be deducted from your U.S. Individual Income Tax Return on line 8a, Taxable Interest. I made the mistake of adding it instead of subtracting it the one year that I didn’t make a profit, and it took a lot of paperwork and phone calls to get that situation worked out. (That year, I got a refund. Lucky me.)

Lesson Six: Be prepared to prove your expenses for the next three years. The IRS has three years to audit you for each year. Keep the receipts and folders in order so you can immediately prove where you got your calculations for your self-employment tax form. Consider paper clipping different receipts for their purpose (ex. supplies, repairs, travel expenses, bills).

Lesson Seven: For those of you who are collecting unemployment checks for being laid off, justifiably quitting or working part time, if you’re lying about how much you’re making per week, be prepared to pay up. The state is going to get the money from you sooner or later. May as well be honest from the beginning because if your 1099s show differently you’ll end up shelling out some cash. It is highly recommended to let the state take out state and federal taxes from the very beginning because on your tax form, you will have to tell how much you made in unemployment. If the amount is too high once your self-employment calculations, unemployment calculations and previous job’s calculations are added up, there goes your potential refund.

 

And even with all of this information for your business, keep in mind that it still may not average out to paying enough in taxes. You may get a refund. You may end up owing. For me, it’s 50/50. But one thing I will say is I’ve avoided owing more by keeping a detailed, honest and organized business track record. 

We know The Game can write rhymes, but I doubt Hallmark will be contacting him anytime soon to write “Congratulations!” or graduation cards. On Monday, Jan. 25, The Game put the following comments on his Twitter account:

 

“After you learned how to read & do addition, what else did we need school for that we use in everyday life as an adult?”

 

“Cuz I swear I can’t remember half the s–t in them History books, my writin still sloppy, & I ain’t seen a microscope since science class !”

 

“well, sex education was MOST definitely appreciated !”

 

“I think school was a government’s plot to keep track of us & program our lives. up at 7, out at 3 pm five days a week. caught in the matrix”

 

“but as a parent, I just dropped my kids off @ school & ah getta break from em’ .. them 2 dudes is animals ! I get it, school is a babysitter”

 

“Martin Luther King said the reason we in school 13 yrs is because, that’s how long it take to DESTROY a child’s mind #nuffsaid”

 

 

 

Now I searched all over the Internet and have read countless books on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but I have never read this quote about destroying a child’s mind by going to school. Have you?

 

I will admit that The Game has some points about learning useless information. I have never used trigonometry or Shakespeare to get me through anything. Geography was pretty pointless too. However, everybody does not aspire to be a rapper when they grow up.

 

When a teacher is in a classroom, she (or he) is teaching a child the basic fundamentals. I have a bone to pick with schools that stop teaching students long division and handwriting because we have calculators and computers. Long division comes in handy for business transactions, especially business proposals and measurements. Handwriting is necessary for contracts and, unlike some people, I sometimes write letters instead of typing them on the computer. I just wrote a fax cover letter today to clarify that it was really me “talking” to the company.

 

Classes I took in elementary school that helped me now include Spanish, algebra, math and handwriting. In high school, African-American history and literature surely came in handy for research, as well as more Spanish (I was hired as a bilingual proofreader for quite some time year before last), Creative Writing and English literature. However, I have peers that grew up to be lawyers, doctors, engineers, health care employees, etc.

 

Read the shirt. Everybody’s education interests aren’t the same.

Whereas I’m rocking a shirt that says “English Major. You do the Math,” my parents both work in the financial industry. I hate math. They love it. But my point is that every child will not grow up to want to follow the same career. So in order to help all children decide what they want to be, these types of lessons are necessary. I don’t believe school is meant to babysit a child. If that was the case, how do you explain homeschooling?

 

As far as children being up by 7 p.m., and out of school by 3 p.m., could it be possible that education also teaches punctuality, liability, responsibility and social skills? When I see tweets like these, this is one of the few times that I have to agree with parents who refuse to let their kids listen to rap music. These tweets blew me. Even 50 Cent said on “Lopez Tonight” if he could do it all over again, he’d take a college education over learning the business via the street. Hell, Lil’ Wayne took college courses and a few other rappers went back to school to learn about the music business.

 

This is once again one of those reasons why I wish some celebrities would consult their publicists before they just let any random thought end up on the Internet. But oh well. I guess for some school is pointless. Everybody has a right to his opinion and his views aren’t going to stop me from listening to his music, but I completely disagree and am disappointed by his views on education. The Game, please don’t drag Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. into the b.s. you’re typing or at least if you’re going to do it, list your source. You do know how to find the source, right? They taught that…in school.

On Mon., Jan 25, I watched the latest episode of “Let’s Talk About Pep.” I like this show much better than the awkward “The Salt-n-Pepa Show” because Pepa seems to be in a more comfortable zone–although I did enjoy the episode about the Jena 6. The show is set up “Sex and the City” style with four friends meeting for brunch to discuss their goals and dating lifestyle.

 

On the most recent episode, after having phone sex and talking to a guy for three years, Pepa’s friend Kittie decided that she’d had enough of the over-the-phone conversations and wanted to meet him. Why they’ve never met in three years of conversing is inexplicable, but they finally met in person. But as soon as Kittie met him, she immediately threw herself at him asking if they were going to get drunk and have “hot, butt-naked sex.” Her date’s response, “Wow.”

 

After going back to Pepa’s home, where Kittie is a temporary roommate, Kittie changed into a bra and panty set, proceeded to straddle her date and he refused to take his shirt off or have sex with her. He made a joke about not being able to open the Christmas gift before Christmas, and he asked her why would she think they’d have sex if this was his first time meeting her. Now I commended the brotha for holding off on sexing her as soon as he met her. But I keep reading on these forums on VH1 and Facebook that he must be gay or married. I completely disagree.

 

Now I can’t sign on the dotted line that this guy is not married, but why does he have to be gay because he didn’t want to have sex with her? One of my favorite lines from a rapper I’m very much a fan of is Joe Budden’s lyrics. Read part of the lyrics to “U Ain’t Gotta Go Home”:

 

Ma, you real aggressive, catchin’ me off balance
It’s a turn-off, don’t you know n—–s respect a challenge?
Move a lil’ slow gettin’ at me
Treat the p—y like it’s worth somethin’, don’t just go throwin’ it at me
Cuz while you doin’ it at the same time
I’m thinkin’ how many n—–s hit you with that same line
Or, how many other n—–s you ran game to
How many n—–s you f—-d or you gave brain to
How many other dudes’ houses you done came to
With condoms on you hopin’ that he find ’em on you
And I ain’t tryin’ to catch nothin’ from you
So I’m caught up in a Catch 22

 

I honestly don’t think this date would’ve gone like it did had Kittie not acted so easy. I don’t think the idea of a man being turned off by a woman being so open is rare either. Yes, the two of them have “known” each other for three years and spoken on the phone, but talking to someone on the phone is just not the same as meeting them in person. Trust me. I know. I was very much a fan of the online dating scene, but after meeting seven different men that I’d met online, I realized quickly that I did not have the same connection with them after physically meeting them. I had a few “Online Dating Nightmares” and then a complete disappointment in who I thought was a winner but turned out to be the most arrogant guy I’d ever dated. But even if these guys turned out to be great, I really just think one-night stands or first-date sex are a terrible idea.

 

I read a comment on a Facebook forum asking whether women would feel comfortable having sex with a man after chatting with him for three years. Some said yes. Some said no. But one woman commented on the women saying no by stating, “I feel like women always try to say the ‘right’ ‘politically correct’ answer…when phone is all you have, you’re forced to really get to know a person, and if I can confirm all that we’ve talked about over the phone for three years seems to be inline with who I see before me, damn skippy I’m going in!” Now I’m not quoting the sista who stated that to knock her. But I will say that black women are the highest cases of new HIV positive patients. We definitely need to be choosier with who we lay down with.

 

But even if Kittie had condoms, I still am not willing to believe that someone “knows” someone by talking to them via phone but never meeting them in person. There are things you will see about a person in person that you just won’t notice on their free time chatting it up on a landline. I’ve had friends for years and gone on one vacation with them. I ended up looking at them like, “Who are you and what’d you do with my friend?” If you ever really want to know a person, travel with him or her or move in together. That’s when you meet the real person, not just sitting on the phone talking dirty.

 

I think it’s a shame that we commend women for holding out for sex, but assume the guy must be gay for being turned off by a woman being loose. Pepa said she hasn’t had sex in four years, and I haven’t heard one negative comment on the forums. She’s turned down a couple of guys who wined and dined her, and spent beacoup bucks. But a guy who goes on one date to the park and goes back to a woman’s apartment must be homosexual for turning her down? How come he couldn’t just be turned off by her promiscuous attitude?

 

With that logic, a guy is never allowed to turn down any woman for sex and must sleep with everybody just so he can keep his manhood intact. How insecure (and dangerous) is that?

 

 

Update 1/31/2010: Global Grind has a blog from Kittie explaining her point of view. I’m still puzzled about how someone can love another person without ever seeing them in person, but to each his own.

3/20/2010 Update: Click here to read about the Atlanta finale.1/24/2010: When I heard about the Sprite Step Off from FoxBrownFox and Commonground, I was sold from the beginning. But when SpriteStepOff.com advertised that it would be the largest step show in history, I was wondering how true that’d be. However, on Saturday night (Jan. 23) when I drove up to the Regal Theater and saw cars backed down the block of 1645 E. 79th St., and the line to get into the Regal around the corner, I knew this was going to be something serious. And the Regal completely sold out of tickets. Largest step show in history? Looked like it. But would it be the livest step show I’d ever seen? That was the test. I’ve seen many throughout my college years (Lincoln University alumni!), plus the numerous step shows I’ve seen all over the world even after I graduated.

Well, this Sprite Step Off was not playing around. Hands down the Sprite Step Off is definitely my all-time favorite step show, and it was definitely the livest!

——————-

Updated 1/25/2010

The original winners announced at the Sprite StepOff on Sat., Jan. 23, were the following:

Sororities: $21,500 Alpha Kappa Alpha (first place); $16,000 Zeta Phi Beta (second place); $11,000 Alpha Theta Omega (third place)

Fraternities: $21,500 Alpha Phi Alpha (Central State University, first place);  $16,000 Phi Beta Sigma (second place); $11,000 Alpha Phi Alpha (St. Louis citywide chapter, third place)

 

However, 360i and FoxBrownFox PR were notified on Mon., Jan. 25, that there was a voting discrepancy for the sororities during Saturday night’s event. According to the Sprite Facebook page, “In the spirit of sportsmanship, we also advised the other two teams who were originally announced as the second and third place winners (now third and fourth place winners), that we wanted them to keep the prize money they had been awarded.” So here are the updated sorority winners with corrected prize amounts. 

Sororities: $21,500 Alpha Kappa Alpha (first place); $16,000 Sigma Gamma Rho (second place) and $16,000 Zeta Phi Beta (third place); $11,000 Alpha Theta Omega (fourth place)  

——————-

 

But just telling you who the winners are doesn’t do them any justice. You need proof, right? Check out some of the photos and a video of Greek strolling in the crowd that I took at the Sprite Step Off on Saturday, Jan. 23.

 

 

The Hot Boyz were the hosts for the night, and as usual, they were entertaining. They cracked some jokes, threw some T-shirts, reminisced on college years, and Tone was a little disappointed that no Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity members were competing, so he did his own little step onstage. Too cute, and so is he! (Shag is too. Those two brothas are ones I’d rather see onstage than hiding the “mmph”ness behind the radio! No disrespect to the ladies in their lives, but those two are some headturners.)

Now on with the show!

1) AlphaWockeez, Alpha Phi Alpha (Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville): I’m a huge “America’s Best Dance Crew” fan, so as soon as I saw these Alphas playing off the JabbaWockeez name with the masks included, I was thinking, “This better be good.” But they did well and represented for Chitown with popping, locking and of course footwork. I don’t care how old a Chicagoan, who was involved in that era, is. No matter where we go, we still get hype off seeing someone do footwork. Juke pop pop!

2) Zeta Phi Beta (University of Missouri): Their routine started off really slow. When I saw them standing in front of the radio, I was expecting them to be phenomenal from the get go. No such luck. The shout-outs to the frats were lukewarm, but after that the routine picked up. I liked the old school part of the performance, especially the homage to Michael Jackson but I didn’t really leave with much of an impression of the group. The hugging part during them competing was a little corny, but it did show sisterhood so I can’t knock them for it.

3) Phi Beta Sigma (St. Louis citywide chapter): If you’ve seen “Friday,” you’d have to laugh at this one. One frat member came out dressed like Big Worm and another acted like Smokey. But the real humor came out when a frat member playing Debo came out with his bike and stole somebody’s Phi Beta Sigma chain. The re-enactment of the fight was entertaining because of the slow motion way the group fell. Cute. But after all the jokes were done, these guys got right to business and showed their athleticism–including balancing their bodies on one arm to clap their feet together, hopping over each other and fierce stepping.

4) Hot Boyz Tone decides to do a Kappa routine all by himself and fakes like he hurt his back. Shag helps him up. I’ve got to admit that I wanted to see the Kappas compete too. Their performances are always pleasantly flirtatious, but on to the next one! The crowd decided to have their own stroll session on the “east side” of the aisle, and the Greeks showed there was that same amount of energy off stage. Click here to see the video!

5) Wale performs. I wasn’t familiar with this artist before I got there, but he was a pretty good performer. Unfortunately, there were no songs to really get me charged up about him, but I really liked his outfit–brown knit hat, brown shirt, blue jeans and black gymshoes. His hypeman on the side had on a pretty jazzy looking black jacket too. They did their thing and came dressed to impress. Wale drank water, but I kinda wanted him to drink (or at least fake like he was) Sprite considering the big, huge Sprite sign behind him. But I decided when I got home I was going to check out his music online because it sounds like what he’s spitting is something I’d have to really listen to as opposed to dance to so now I’m curious. Sorority members from Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho and Alpha Kappa Alpha came onstage to stroll while Wale performed. There was one Zeta member rocking a purple dress, decorative tights and these black boots that reminded me of Christmas. She should’ve gotten some award for Best Dressed because I wanted her whole outfit.

6) Alpha Kappa Alpha (Indiana University): These ladies were coming to win. As soon as they stepped onstage with a skit about how they were secret service agents sent on a mission, wearing all black with “TAU” across their chests and black knee-high boots with skintight black pants, they really played off the scenario. In usual AKA style, hair flipped like shampoo commercials while they stepped so hard I could feel their energy offstage. They may have chanted, “Precise. Pretty. We are too pretty,” but they weren’t too pretty to get gutter. One girl was thrown in the air, they did splits while stepping and even gave a shout to Sprite while holding pearls. They were in sync and the only time I saw them smile was when they strolled off to Swizz Beatz’s “On to the Next One.”

7) Alpha Phi Alpha (Central State University): Now the AlphaWockeez were good, but this next set of Alphas ripped the stage. While Phi Beta Sigma brought back memories of “Friday,” Alpha Phi Alpha took inspiration from the syndicated television show “Martin.” “I say Jerome’s in the house!” When one very entertaining Alpha came out in true Jerome-like attire and said he was a playa, the crowd immediately responded with “from the Himalayas.” Martin Lawrence fans everywhere! And then the stepping started. I could almost hear the floor shaking from the way they were stepping, and they gave the crowd some of the ugliest, outwardly strong facial expressions they could. They were loud, energetic, precise, organized and I got to the point where I was just in awe of what they were doing. They definitely put some crucial work into making their performance tight. The crowd went crazy while they performed and cheered them on. And as goofy as the Stanky Leg dance is, I’ve never seen anybody do it as sexy as the Alphas. My earrings (I don’t wear hats) go off to them. They strolled off to my favorite song by the Clipse and Pharrell, “I’m Good,” and I was thinking, “Yes, fellas, you all definitely were good!”

8) Alpha Theta Omega (University of Missouri): These ladies came out in black jumpsuits with a long chain connecting their left ankles, playing up the chain gang skit. The intro was too quiet without enough energy, but I could hear them shout Jesus out every now and then. I was a little bored with this performance up until the last couple of minutes when the routine truly picked up. Alpha Theta Omega started doing a routine where some stepped with their feet and others went into push-up formation to do the same beats with their arms. Their bicep game must be crazy by now! Then they got so cool with it that they did a routine and slapped each other’s feet instead of stepping with their own. Ladies, I’m too scared of you. (No, really, I am because if I ever tried that push-up routine I’m going to need to go to the emergency room.)

9) Alpha Kappa Alpha president Barbara McKenzie came out to say a few words about the competition and to big up the AKA’s performance before quickly dipping out.

10) The McDonald’s Flavor Battle included three deejays inside of giant hamburger containers, the Double Quarter Pounder with cheese, the Big Mac and the Angus Third Pounder. I can’t say I had a favorite because all three were excellent deejays, but I wish I had a mixtape of the entire song selection. I heard songs from Beyonce, DMX, Too Short, Notorious B.I.G., Michael Jackson, house music and more. As soon as Keezo Kane and James Brown played, we knew where the skaters and Chicago steppers were in the crowd. But I was too through when one of the deejays played Experience Unlimited “Doin’ the Butt” and the crowd actually did the dance, some of whom I thought would be too young to even know about the dance. But when DJ Sundance played “Perculator” that was it. Folks were doing all types of the Perculator dance craze. This west side native DJ Sundance definitely played to the Chicago crowd. There was a tie between her and DJ B Syde that had to have two rounds of applause before DJ Sundance won and collected her prize.

11) Musical Chairs: Now this intermission was pointless. One Greek member was chosen to go onstage and play musical chairs. There was no strolling or even music that reflected the groups onstage. I’m saying, couldn’t they have at least played Kanye’s “School Spirit” or Lil’ Wayne rapping “Stepping on this beat like a motherf$&*#!g Sigma.” Tone got himself into a little bit of trouble for making a tasteless comment about full-bodied women winning Musical Chairs. Eh, could’ve kept that one to yourself, Tone. A Kappa Alpha Psi member won, and he even managed to have an AKA sit on his lap trying to get his chair.

12) Ludacris: (Note: I love my camera and always make fun of folks for buying super expensive batteries for digital cameras while mine is a plug-in and lasts longer than battery-operated cameras. But oh was I mad when my camera completely died before Luda hit the stage. I got no photos of him. Dammit man! However, GoWhere Hip Hop did an excellent job of covering Luda’s performance so click here to read that blog. You’re also welcome to check out my 2008 Ludacrismas interview.) Luda came out with a purple shirt, black pants and purple shoes, with his hair perfectly lined. His hypeman represented with an Atlanta T-shirt while Luda reminded the crowd he was born in Illinois and shouted out the south side repeatedly. He performed “Throw Them Bows,” Shawnna’s “Gettin’ Some Head,” DJ Khaled’s “I’m So Hood,” “What’s Your Fantasy?” “How Low” and “Move Bitch.” I-20 came out with his usual energetic self, and lucky for us Chicagoans, that always charismatic and handsome Larenz Tate came onstage to dance while I-20 and Luda performed. While Luda was looking Omega-ish with all the purple, Larenz Tate was looking something like an Iota with all the brown–brown top hat, brown jacket, brown belt, brown shoes with a tint in his brown jeans. All that chocolate all in one place! Yum.

13) Alpha Phi Alpha (St. Louis citywide chapter): (Note: My camera refused to turn back on so I did not get pics of these fellas. Dammit man, times two.) Now you have to be really brave to follow Ludacris, and all I kept thinking was, “They better be good.” Some crowd members left, but about 90 percent of the crowd stayed in place. This four-member crew’s skit started off like one was a hunter looking for Alphas in the wild. And of course the Alphas didn’t disappoint, crouching down into gorilla formation, hopping around with ugly faces (on some very handsome men, might I add). I was still skeptical about whether they’d be able to bring the fire. To my surprise they did, specifically the light-skinned guy on the left-hand side who was stepping so hard that you could see the veins in his arms, especially when he screamed. The shout-out to the AKAs was hilarious. 

14) Sigma Gamma Rho (University of Illinois at Chicago): (Note: I gave up on my camera completely by this time after trying to turn it on four times.) I knew the SGRhos were coming because I saw blue and gold stand up everywhere in the crowd. It gave me flashbacks of my elementary school years. They hit the stage with black fitted pants, black baby doll heels, gold shirts, waist-length blue and gold jackets and gold belts, with wigs cut and shaped to neck-length, playing off of Chinese fashion. They even bowed during their skit. Sprite should’ve been proud of them because while they were stepping, they did an amusing skit about being thirsty. One sorority member tried to drink some red drink, but it was kicked out of her hand while another SGRho member strolled around with Sprite and got her Vanna Black on. The performance was cool, but the jackets were distracting me. The material was unraveling so while they performed, I could see thread strings hanging from their jackets. I was happy when they finally took them off so I could focus on the performance. Nothing really stood out to me, but I did think they did a decent job. The problem was that their steps led to so much build up that didn’t pay off. For example, one lady climbed on another lady’s shoulder, and I was expecting something huge to come besides another girl flipping in the back. Instead the girl who was balanced on her sister’s shoulders was put down. That was kind of a downer. I did enjoy the popping, locking and clapping as they strolled off singing “I love my SGRhos” to juke music.

15) Tone and Shag came back out to announce that there was a tie. Gasp! Who could it be? It turns out that the Phi Beta Sigmas and Central State University’s Alpha Phi Alphas had a tie so they had to come back out and compete. The Sigmas looked a little sleepy when they came back onstage. They sat on the edge of the stage and did a clapping routine. From the response to the crowd, I could tell they messed up somewhere, but from where I was sitting I didn’t see the mistake so I thought they did great. The Alphas, however, came back out and acted like the tie breaker was their real performance–same energy, same faces, same stomping, same heat.

Results: Congrats to the Alpha Kappa Alphas and the Alpha Phi Alphas (Central State University). Alpha = First, and they took that first prize seriously. The AKAs cheered like they’d won a million dollars and did another routine while holding their checks.

Thumbs up to all of the teams for their hard work and dedication. And big up to Sprite for their work with the groups, scholarship money and encouraging diversity! I drank three bottles and cans of Sprite while typing this blog. *slurp*    

 

 

If you’re living or visiting the Chicago area and want to donate funds to victims from Haiti’s earthquake, the Chicago Haitian Initiative (C.H.I.) will be having a fundraiser at The Shrine nightclub this coming Monday. Performers in attendance will include J. Ivy, GLC, Phenom, Yaw, Khari Lemuel, Mikkey Halsted and DJ Lee Farmer. Frontline Magazine editor Marcus Kline and Zarakyah Ben Ahmadiel of The RBG Environmental Restoration Agency will also be there to speak and educate about the current state of Haiti. The event will be from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., on Jan. 25, at 2109 S. Wabash Avenue. Click here for details.

 

If you’re not really the nightclub person but still want to help out, there will be a second event earlier Monday with The RBG Environmental Restoration Agency in Winnie Mandela Intergenerational Alternative School at 2:30 p.m., called Feeding Haiti.

 

“My organization will be collaborating with the Chicago Haitian Organization and Winnie Mandela Intergenerational Alternative School to work with students so they can give,” Ahmadiel explained. “If you’re familiar with our Feed the People Program, we’re offering free [vegan] meals to the community and accepting and collecting humanitarian donations from the community for those who are able to give.”

The Haitian earthquake donation fund and cookout event will be from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the vegan cookout event will feed underprivileged people in the Chicago area. The Winnie Mandela Intergenerational Alternative School is located on Chicago’s south side at 7847 S. Jeffrey Blvd.

Students will also be educating visitors on the history, socio-politics and culture of Haiti while food is being served.

“If you’re hungry, you can come and eat,” Ahmadiel said. “If you’re able, we want you to come and give.”

I read “The Smoking Gun” report “Wyclef Jean Charity’s Funny Money” in full, and although the tax issues need to be dealt with, I strongly stand by Wyclef Jean. CNN Money stated, “Experts say that lackadaisical accounting is common among non-profits and is not necessarily a red flag for suspicious behavior.” The worst thing the Yele Foundation did was turn tax papers in late, but these accusations that Wyclef was trying to get over on the money end are preposterous to me.

 

I had a discussion on Facebook earlier today with an FB friend about the costs that go into concerts, travel, management, administrative work, etc. That money just doesn’t fly out of thin air, and if someone is donating to the cause, they’re donating to all of that. And just being realistic here, how much did you hear about donations to Haiti from any other artist or even news programs before last week outside of Wyclef? When selfish people like Bill Maher could’ve cared as much about Haiti before the earthquake as he does now, Wyclef Jean was still spending time improving the economic situation in Haiti. Even the music artists who are donating now weren’t thinking about Haiti before it became the “in” event to donate to while Wyclef was. 

 

 

For as long as I’ve been a fan of his work, before the Fugees and after, he has always asked people to support Haiti and talked about their economic issues. He’s been performing and raising money way before it was the “in” thing to do and has been far more focused on Haiti than other charitable organizations. And he was definitely covering Haitian issues before earthquake last Tuesday.

So when Wyclef finally responded to the accusations that he was using the business as a way to profit, all I kept thinking was “Finally!” Play the video below.

 

So what do you think? Is Wyclef Jean being honest?

Update 1/29/2010: After reading the conversation with President Barack H. Obama with the Republican Caucus, I was impressed with how level-headed he was no matter what question was thrown out. Better yet, he was big enough to admit when he was wrong and continuously insist that we (Democrats, Republicans and Independents) must stop all the finger-pointing about what the other side isn’t doing instead of getting to the root of the issue. For that reason, as of this day, I’m going to stop saying “the Republicans don’t want…” or “the Republicans want…” instead of narrowing it down to a particular issue. From this conversation, more often than is published via the media, the three parties can agree on issues, but we spend so much time attacking each other when we don’t agree. This is one of the many reasons I continue to emphasize voting in all elections. It gives us the option to vote on people individually instead of just party voting. We should be paying attention to what each candidate says instead of the solo letter next to their names or skin complexion. So I’m going to stop my own finger-pointing and embrace the fact that so many Republicans find my tweets interesting on Twitter (refer to original blog opening below).

 

Update 1/16/2010: In the February 2010 issue of Ebony magazine, there’s an image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. looking at the Reverend Andrew Young as he directs voter registration from his Chicago apartment. As soon as I flipped to that page, it reminded me of this blog. Dr. King and other civil rights leaders weren’t just fighting for voting for one rank, they were fighting for blacks to be able to vote for all categories. How do you say you respect this man’s work and then not go vote?

 

 

Original Entry Starts Here: Lately I’ve been having a few conservative Republicans follow me on Twitter. For the life of me I can’t figure out why because my opinions are so far to the left even Beyonce couldn’t sing the “Irreplaceable” lyrics to my views–to the left, to the left, everything I believe is an idea to the left. Initially I thought the conservative Tweeters may have the same mindset of my grandfather–always pay attention to your enemy, which is why he just loves to watch FOX News. He genuinely believes we have to know their wacko views. To each his own.

 

But what caught my attention was one of my favorite Twitter users who made the following comment: “conservative.republican.democrat. — whocares?” Considering how opinionated he is and how he proclaims to be black and conscious, I was surprised he wasn’t one of those who did care so we had a lengthy debate about politics and voting. As did many people I know, he voted in the presidential election but will not vote in the local elections. Why?

 

He said he didn’t have time, “cuz i have bills to pay & other stuff to worry about.” Of course I had to respond to that. Anybody who believes that local politicians don’t effect your daily activities has another thing coming. We’ve heard the issues that happened when Governor Pat Quinn let Illinois prisoners that were originally deemed non-violent prisoners be released early. (Grudgingly I must admit that Joe the Cop may have had a point although I still stand on my views on recidivism.) We all know about the fiasco with Todd Stroger and raising taxes. And I’m pretty sure by now I don’t have to talk about all the wrong things Blagojevich has managed to say and do, including his statement that he’s blacker than Obama. And we helped these people get into office.

 

What they do while they’re in office effects us just as much as who’s in the White House. And then I got the age old response I’ve heard a billion times before from African-American voters, “if the black media did a decent job on covering politics i would be more willing to participate.” Let’s cut the B.S.

 

Previously I worked for an African-American newspaper and listened to two reporters and myself who had very different views on who should be elected the next Illinois senator . No matter what the black media covers, that doesn’t mean every single person at that station or newspaper will agree on it. I told my Twitter friend that. Then, I was hit with “im jus saying that i think every group should have a body of (capable) leaders & they should lead.”

 

What a slap in the face when the highest rank in office is filled by an African-American man. I’m tired of the black media accusations. I’m bored with people blaming the black media for why they don’t know more about politics. The black media is doing some of the same things that independent voters can be doing. We’re researching the politicians, attending the conferences, listening to the speeches, visiting the Web sites of the politicians and holding discussions on who is the best leader. There’s nothing so special about a journalist that the average voter can’t do too outside of one-on-one interviews.

 

I recall a lady calling my office when I worked for this publication asking when we were going to print or publish online who the newspaper would endorse as political candidates. I asked her, “Wouldn’t it be better if you made your own decisions on who you want to win? You may not agree with all of the candidates endorsed by one editor or president.” She told me she didn’t have time to look up every politician, but she would trust an African-American paper to lead her the right way. When did skin tone become the deciding factor in a vote? Condolezza Rice was brown-skinned, and she went shoe shopping through Hurricane Katrina news. Michael Steele is just now taking a breath from his hip hop dictionary, and he still sounds just as dumb. And Clarence Thomas voted against affirmative action. Brown skin does not mean great advisers.

 

Why are people so busy that they can’t research people who are going to effect the city you live in? What is on your planner so tough that you can’t do the same thing these journalists are doing? Why do you need a leader or a journalist to hold your hands in the voting booths? Please cut it out with the excuses. Everybody is waiting on a leader to follow, but why not step up and be that leader.

 

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Imagine if he’d have waited for someone else to step up for equality and fight against segregation. Imagine if Malcolm X had decided to wait for some other Muslim to speak to the crowd. Imagine if Harriet Tubman would’ve given in to narcolepsy and said, “Screw it. I’m done freeing you guys. I’m going to set up shop in my new home.” Imagine if Frederick Douglass didn’t learn to read and start a newspaper about anti-slavery.

 

I think my Twitter friend is one of the most fascinating people I followed and I enjoyed his conversation, but I completely disagree with him on voting. And he’s not alone in his thoughts. I’ve heard his arguments about leaders and black media from plenty of other mouths of African-American non-voters. Although it’s especially disappointing to hear someone who claims to be conscious ignore voting, it’s even worse for those who complain about “the white man.” How do you complain about “the white man” when as a black man (or black woman), you don’t exercise the basic rights of any American? Why are you waiting for someone else to hold your hand and guide you to the voting booths? Quiet as it’s kept, every last one of us can be leaders. All we have to do is step up to the plate and handle our own responsibilities, and one of the responsibilities black Americans have is to step up to the voting booths. If King Jr. died for us to have those types of rights, why do some of us spit on his grave by not doing it?

 

The early elections are going on as I type. Get up. Go vote. Find time.

 

 

I’ve been a fan of political talk show host Bill Maher for years, but in the late evening of January 14, 2010, I lost all respect for him from one tweet: “Memo to media: yes Haiti is horrible but you can cover more than one story in the course of a week.”

 

How selfish can one person be? This is the same person who made wisecracks about former President George W. Bush for not helping out sooner during Hurricane Katrina and Bush sitting around reading books during the 911 attacks. Now when we have a president in office who is actually doing something about an issue so horrible from a 7.0 earthquake that left people dead, homeless and hungry, he wants the media to talk about something else.

 

The earthquake happened Tuesday, and it was Thursday when he sent this. We still don’t even have a full body count. On tonight’s WGN News, they were showing footage of people trying to remove rubble from a little girl who was trapped, and Bill Maher is tired of hearing about the poorest nation in the world having an earthquake that will only make their economic situation worse.

 

Not only is President Barack Obama helping, but he also brought Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton on board to help in raising funds for Haitians, and you don’t want to hear about it? I watched several news programs that are covering other topics in addition to Haiti, but I’m absolutely interested in what’s going on in Haiti right now.

 

Hell, Clinton ignored the entire genocide of the Hutus and the Tutsis. Why not have a president in office who actually cares? Why not have the media finally cover something other than every single detail of Tiger Woods, Lindsey Lohan, Britney Spears and Charlie Sheen?

 

The media finally got it right, and Bill Maher is yawning in his palm. Unbelievable. Just that quick I lost all respect for this guy, even when he had so many valid points before. And from reading the comments on his Facebook fan page, there are others who agree that his comment was simply too soon and insensitive.

 

Here are some examples:

 

Screenshot of Bill Maher’s Facebook fan page

 

 

Smithsonian Guggenhiem

Right….Because you would rather f*ck women from Haiti than help them. I get it now! You make a valid point PENIS DRIP! Having said that you have just helped in keeping the dialogue going cause guess what we’re still talking about Haiti. Which means more Help for Haiti!!! What a great thing you’ve done!

 

Stephanie Peterson

Nice goin’ BILL, you have women hissing, cussing and using vernacular I haven’t heard since I was a bartender.

 

Burnadine Gaskin

How rude, Bill! You seriously crossed the line on this one. That remark was absurd, lacking in compassion, and wreaks with selfishness; seriously despicable!

 

Terry Fetterman

2 b honest this was the only news I have cared about for the past 2 days. Not that i have not payed attention to everything else- we all know where to look 2 find the news we need.(hopefully.) but in the face of all our troubles – it could always be worse. the american ego needs this reminder. our heads are hard Bill! we are selfish spoiled children and sometimes its just not about us.

 

Aljorie Stallings

Go figure to see these comments made by a man who cares so much about IHOP using caged eggs he does a PSA for Humane Society!!! Why not be a celeb to encourage those 2 donate!! Hell I am quite sure your ass knows Wyclef!!!

 

—

 

I wonder what Wyclef Jean would have to say about this one, Bill Maher. But more importantly, I wonder why is it Bill Maher (and some of his Facebook fans who agreed with this status) care so little about one of the biggest pieces of news since 2010 started? I expect FOX News to be insensitive about Haiti, but I was caught way out of left field by your selfishness too.

 

 

 

Chicagoans and those in the Evanston, IL area can donate rescue items to Haitian victims from the 7.0 earthquake that happened around 5 p.m. on Tues., Jan. 12. Two donating locations in the Chicagoland area are Soul Vegetarian Restaurant and the Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti.

 

Haitian people have been left homeless, and some have died from this fatal earthquake. CNN reported that there is “heavy damage and bodies in the streets of the capital, Port-au-Prince, where concrete-block homes line steep hillsides.” No estimates on deaths were given on Tuesday.

 

Donations can be made to the Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti, a local non-profit, group online, at Charter One Bank in Evanston or by mailing a donation to the Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti at 1227 Dodge Ave., Evanston, IL 60202.

 

Soul Vegetarian Restaurant is also a drop-off location for donations and humanitarian aid. Non-perishable vegan/vegetarian food items like baby food, milk, cereal, rice, clothes, bottled water, clothes, bedding, sleeping bags, tents, medical supplies and other items will be accepted.

 

Collections for Soul Vegetarian Restaurant will be on the International Side of the building, also known as the “C” side.

 

For more information on the Soul Vegetarian Restaurant donations requests, e-mail Zarakyah Ahmadiel at [email protected].

Promo flyer distributed courtesy of 360i

Update 3/20/2010: Click here to read about the Atlanta finals!

 

Have you seen the commercials about the Sprite Step Off, one of the self-proclaimed largest step show tournaments in history? I can’t lie. I cheered when I received notice from Sprite that I got admission into this event. Watching step competitions was one of my favorite things to do after I transferred from Northern Michigan University to my alma mater Lincoln University.

 

Step shows were events that excited me since my elementary school days running home to see “A Different World,” and it never wore off even through college–although I wasn’t interested in pledging. But I sure do remember applauding for Freddie Brooks when she finally learned to step like Whitley Gilbert and watching Jaleesa Vinson represent for Gilbert Hall.

 

I first heard about the Sprite Step Off while interviewing marketing company Commonground’s owners Ahmad Islam and Sherman Wright.

 

And when I saw the opening promo video on the Sprite Step Off Web site, I remembered all of my college days and even a couple of recent Greek events like the Delta Sigma Theta Nonviolence Event and Crossed the Play. It’s a mix of the energy, the body music and the aggression that makes me love stepping so much. If you’ve never been to a Greek step show before, I’d check this one out.

 

The Sprite Step Off will be on Saturday, Jan. 23, at the Regal Theater. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the regional step competition starts at 7 p.m.

 

There will be live performances with Mr. “How Low” or as you may know him, Ludacris. Wale will also be performing. Another event for the night includes the McDonald’s Flavor Battle, which is a DJ competition with three different deejays.

 

For information on where to buy tickets, the cost and a special promo code for $5 off the ticket entrance fee, click here.

 

Special thank you to 360i and FoxBrownFox PR for the updated information.

 

I’m a 28-year-old Negro.

 

If you’re looking at your screen with a perplexed expression, that was the same reaction I had when I read that the Census still has the term “Negro” on their 2010 questionnaire. The last time I participated in the Census, there was a guy strolling through the dorms to get college kids‘ responses, but for the life of me, I don’t recall him asking me if I was “Black, African-American or Negro.” If he did, I’d have probably thought he was trying to be funny and slammed the door.

 

But according to BlackVoices.com, more than 56,000 people filled in the blank line for race category with the term “Negro.” I didn’t even know people used the word. My 97-year-old great great aunt has always called herself black and Creole. My 87-year-old grandfather likes to rile me up by calling me “colored,” but for the most part he says black or African-American.

 

As far as I can tell, the term “Negro” stopped being used in the ’50s so why the Census is still using it today is just plain ironic. The purpose of the Census is to get up-to-date information on the people living in our world, but they’re using outdated terms to do it. Isn’t that a little hypocritical?

 

BlackVoices.com does have a point about those who aren’t really comfortable calling themselves African-Americans when they don’t know squat about Africa outside of having a similar complexion and their ancestors being from the Motherland. (Yes, I’m aware that the oldest person on Earth was from Africa, but I’m talking about those who choose to identify themselves to be of African ancestry.) Then there are those who refuse to call themselves black because they “are not a color.” I guess you can’t please everyone.

 

I more commonly say I’m black, mainly because I dug the whole “Black and I’m Proud” era with afros, fighting for civil rights, the original purpose of the Black Panther Party and the entire era of black literature, music and business becoming more visible. I’m fascinated with Black Wall Street, a neighborhood full of black millionaires who made it against the odds.

 

I’ve heard differing debates about whether black people created the term African-American and those who flat out refuse to call themselves American because their ancestors weren’t brought here willingly. I always find the latter debate odd because as much as these same people protest America and being born in America, I very rarely see a suitcase packed to go back. (Somebody is going to be mad at me for that sentence, but it’s true. I’m definitely not proud of all of America‘s history and there are times when I’m not proud to be American–and not the PC reason First Lady Michelle Obama gave–but I’m content living in America because of the progress and history being made.)

 

I can understand using the term “Negro” when reading literature or referring to a time in history (ex. Negro History Week as opposed to Black History Month), but I have a problem with selecting an outdated term like “Negro” on the Census report.

This photo was taken about 9 years ago with a childhood friend of mine since I was six years old. Although he’s no longer alive, he is my best example of how precious a platonic friendship can be.

“If you’re dating or married to some one [sic], would you be cool with them hanging out with a friend of the opposite sex?”

 

This was a question posed by one of my Facebook friends, and when I read the responses it struck a nerve and brought back some memories. I usually keep the relationship articles on my Chicago Relationships Examiner page, but this is one I wanted to try to get a few more opinions on.

 

When I was born, one of the first people my father called to tell the good news was my godfather–the same man that my mother had been friends with since she was in seventh grade. My father didn’t meet my godfather until my parents were in their 20s, but they’ve all been friends ever since. My father is a deacon and has befriended several women at his church. When his cell rings, my mother doesn’t jump up trying to go through his phone. Because both of my parents are secure in their 29-year marriage, I’ve also learned what a secure marriage is like. When you watch relationships like this growing up, it leaves a lasting impression on you that men and women can be platonic friends. This example has also led me to having platonic relationships with several men over the years, and three or four have lasted over a decade. The only thing that has separated me from my guy friends is distance when we went to college and arguing.

 

So when someone I’m dating walks into my home and sees a few guys here and there on my walls or in frames and I say, “This is a friend of mine,” these guys really are friends. However, what I realized from a previous relationship is that there are some men who are not equipped to deal with women who have opposite sex friends and vice versa. Whereas it doesn’t bother me to date men who have platonic relationships with childhood friends or friends before I came along, it surely bothered an ex-boyfriend of mine. Here’s the scenario.

 

I told Boyfriend that a guy friend of mine, who I’d known since I was 16 and never done more than a friendly poke-the-butt-out-so-bodies-aren’t-too-close hug with, was coming by to see my new apartment. Boyfriend was nonchalant about it initially until the week went by. Then I started hearing jokes about how my “date” was coming by. At least I thought it was a joke until I noticed he wasn’t cracking a smile. Being the type of person who is not jealous, I shrugged the comments off and felt like he had nothing to worry about. After all, I’d been friends with these guys since elementary and high school. If we were going to date or be intimate, we’d have done it long before Boyfriend came around. Plus, how disrespectful is it to Friend to even have a Boyfriend if you are intimate with Friend. Not a good look on either part, so I never understood the logic in those types of relationships. And then the day of the visit from The Friend came. Boyfriend called from an unidentified number. I don’t answer blocked calls. Boyfriend went ballistic the next day.

 

Police officers envy the way Boyfriend put me under investigation for cheating, even though the most exciting thing Friend and I did was look through photo albums. Boyfriend broke up with me after finding out Friend hung out until about 10:30 p.m., because he said that was too long for someone of the opposite sex to come over. Initially I apologized for hurting his feelings, and we got back together. However, the green-eyed bandit had already planted itself in the room. From then on, I was accused of cheating on him nonstop especially considering wherever we’d go, some guy would walk by checking me out or try to holla when Boyfriend wasn’t around.

 

For a person who believes in having friends of the opposite sex but dates an insecure person, you will more than likely face a decision to give up your friends that you’ve spent years of dedicated time sealing a bond with. If you want to lose the friendship, that’s your business. However, think about the fact that if the relationship doesn’t work out, now you’ve lost a friend who was around way before Boyfriend came into the picture. It’s up to you to decide who is more important. Unless you’re being disrespectful and private about your opposite sex friend, the friendship shouldn’t be a deal breaker.

 

I do recall one of my friends getting a divorce, and his ex-wife asked him how I was doing. At the time, he and I weren’t on speaking terms so he told her that. She paused and said she never expected us to not be friends because we’d always gotten along. Then her response was, “I always thought that if we ever separated, Montie would be next.” Huh? Say what? Why would I be next? When you’re friends with someone and truly appreciate the friendship, it just doesn’t enter your mind to walk around pacing and waiting on a breakup. You’d rather your friend be in a happy relationship and vice versa.

 

Three of my strongest friendships are with a friend of mine who I grew up with since I was six years old and lived next door to me. The second is with a friend of mine I’ve befriended since I was 16. I’m now 28. The third is with a friend of mine who is best friends with my brother and has known me since I was one years old so he’s more of a brother than a friend. Although the friend since I was six years old was murdered during my college years, I’m still consistently in contact with the other two. I chose my guy friends because I got tired of being accused of cheating when I’ve never cheated in my life. I also chose my guy friends because I knew that it was possible to date (and marry) someone who could understand platonic friendships. Who did you choose?

 

Yoga pants are my favorite around-the-house attire.

If you’re one of those people who is sitting around thinking, “I need to lose weight” or “I want to tone up,” the Chicago Park District wants to help you out. I just found out yesterday that they are having free workout days at 66 Chicago Park District Fitness Centers. The last day to sign up for in-person registration is Sunday, Jan. 10.

 

I can’t even count the number of hip hop and aerobics class I’ve been in–including hip hop, Video Vixen, lap dancing, belly dancing, pole dancing, hardcore hip hop, boxing, pilates, yoga, breaking (aka breakdancing) and weight training. I’m one of those folks who finds joy in working out, but considering I’m a freelance reporter, blogger, reviewer and transcription editor, it’s hard to even get in the time to work out these days.

 

My idea of working out now is running from my car to my interviewee’s location and trying to dodge Chicago cold sucker-punching me in the face. This fall and winter, I managed to not lose (or gain) any weight eating one or two meals a day even though I cut out fast food tremendously and never keep junk food in my home. (I’m not purposely avoiding meals, but I wake up around 3 p.m., and go to sleep around 6 a.m., so my eating clock is way off.) If you think being a vegetarian means you automatically lose weight, not likely. Exercise is still mandatory to stay in shape.

 

But working out should be a part of any writer (or any other person’s) schedule. We blow off exercising a lot in the winter months when no one wants to go outside, but when opportunities like what the Chicago Park District is introducing come about, I say we sign up. I’ve spent $50 to $75 on five classes for 30 minutes during summer months when I could’ve just taken a free walk to the lakefront so why not take advantage of these courses? Paying $75 for three-months for one session sounds like a deal to me.

 

If you’re one of those people who works yourself to death but sits in a chair all day, chances are you’re probably munching on junk food and not really getting any exercise in. The online registration date for Chicago Park District fitness courses passed, but maybe you (and I) can make it for the three-month session until March 21 if you can handle the single-digit cold weather this weekend. If you’re interested in the program but miss the deadline date, there will be a spring session next month.

 

Click here for details.

 

Click the slideshow above for ideas to work out at home if you’re anything like me and hibernate in the winter as much as possible.

I have never been a fan of talk shows. While I respect Oprah’s accomplishments on television, I’m bored to death with her talk show. However, I love some of the other projects she’s been affiliated with, such as “Their Eyes Were Watching God” and “Precious.” I’d even give a head nod on some of her bookclub selections. But I can’t say I’m a fan. It always rubbed me the wrong way that she’d have some of the most controversial topics on her show but not hip hop artists. How do you invite the KKK on your show but then wag a finger at Ludacris? She did finally have Jay-Z on her show, but hip hop has been around for 30 plus years. In my opinion, it took her so long, and I didn’t like the way she treated Ludacris, so I didn’t even watch that Jay-Z episode. But I still have 100 percent respect for Oprah Winfrey as a professional.

 

However, it is a mystery to me altogether why anybody would watch ridiculously stereotypical shows like “The Jerry Springer Show” and “You are not the father” show (aka Maury Povich’s show). I was tired of “The Ricki Lake Show” with Ricki Lake talking over her guests. “The Johnny Carson Show” was okay sometimes, but he would ask rhetorical questions or need everything spelled out, so I couldn’t handle re-runs of that show either. I remember watching a few episodes of “The Arsenio Hall Show,” but all I remember was the dog barking. I was too little to get a good handle on that talk show.

I never connected with Jenny Jones’ and Martha Stewart’s talk shows either. Ellen DeGeneres is hilarious performing live and I loved her television show, but for some odd reason I can’t stay interested in her talk show. I’ll watch her dance or watch a good guest, but outside of that, I couldn’t be still watching “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Jay Leno and David Letterman would occasionally have an interesting episode, but those were few and far between. I used to believe I just didn’t like talk shows until I started checking out some others like “The Tyra Banks Show,” “Lopez Tonight” and “The Mo’Nique Show.”

 

It wasn’t until two weeks ago that I started watching “The Mo’Nique Show” because I thought it was going to be loud and obnoxious. Plus, it came on at the same time that the only talk show I liked came on, and that’s “Lopez Tonight.” I’m a huge fan of “The George Lopez Show” so I was ecstatic to see one of my favorite comedians get a late night show and have people like Kobe Bryant, Queen Latifah, 50 Cent and Clint Eastwood on there–two of which I never see on talk shows.

 

But I watched “The Mo’Nique Show” when “Lopez Tonight” started showing re-runs during the Christmas season, and I cracked up laughing. “The Mo’Nique Show” is everything that Oprah Winfrey’s show is not. She embraces hip hop, hip hop stars, actually knows the slang, can do the latest dances, is easy and fun to talk to and she’s a party starter. Not everybody can easily interview Cash Money’s Baby, and really sound like she could hang out with this dude. I think Mo’Nique’s personality is great, and she’s beautiful. Mo’Nique always looks flawless, from hair to makeup to outfits. But like George Lopez, it’s her humor that makes me not change channels on my television. 

And then there’s Tyra Banks. “Higher Learning” has been my favorite film for over a decade and came out the year I graduated from eighth grade. I loved her chemistry with Will Smith on “A Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” But I couldn’t stand the squealing and superficial behavior on “America’s Next Top Model” and after a season or two, I stopped watching the show.

But last night I went on YouTube, after being indifferent about her talk show leaving in 2010, and clicked on a couple shows. I’d seen a few before but not enough to make me want to watch the show daily. However, last night I saw that I really missed out on some great episodes of “The Tyra Banks Show.” What I like about Tyra is what I like about George Lopez and Mo’Nique. She’s not afraid to be goofy, and she’s all about being entertaining. Tyra Banks definitely has some amazing taste in men. Whoa! Now that’s not to say I can’t respect a serious talk show host, but I’m more likely to stay focused on the show if I can have a few laughs. There were definitely episodes of “The Tyra Banks Show” that I wasn’t interested in, like the one with Raven Symone glorifying weave, racist families and all the “I’m too fat” shows. That got old quickly. But then there were the winning episodes where Tyra Banks had great chemistry with her guests! 

 

Here are some of my favorite Tyra Banks episodes.

 

Pharrell admits that he wanted to having a “friendship” with Tyra Banks, and she didn’t know it. N.E.R.D. artist Pharrell has always been gorgeous in my eyes, so I was excited to see him regardless. But what made this one of my favorite episodes of “The Tyra Banks Show” was how he sounded like a shy teenager asking a girl to the homecoming dance. For someone who makes kissy faces during the “Frontin‘” video, I never expected him to act so shy or uncomfortable.

  

 

Then there was the episode with Tyra kissing Chingy, who also came across as shy in front of her when she wasn’t wearing man’s makeup. I couldn’t blame him for not wanting to kiss her when she was dressed like a man, but he puffed his chest out trying to get a round two.

 

 

Note: The video when the two kissed a second time after she went back to her natural self has been removed from YouTube, but I did write an entry about their kiss. Click here for details.

 

Although Tyra Banks’ impromptu singing performance was incredibly corny, I was amused by President Barack Obama‘s (then Senator Barack Obama) reaction to Tyra singing about First Lady Michelle Obama being “one hot momma.” But it was the “chocolate kiss” that made me remember for the millionth time why First Lady Michelle Obama loves her some Barack!

 

Tyra Banks talks with Ne-Yo about how he chooses brown-skinned women for his music videos. I talked about Ne-Yo embracing brown-skinned women on my blog, “Tough love letter to black women who hate it when black men date outside of their race.” It was also amusing to see Chris Brown unashamedly flirting with Tyra Banks.

 

 

It was fun to watch Tyra Banks try to learn how to step. Columbus Short is so talented at it, and I always wanted to step as well, but I cringed every time he pronounced “segue” incorrectly. Also, I can’t blame her for flirting with the very handsome Brian White.

 

 

And even though we all know that Chris Brown is having issues right now, I still loved his chemistry with Tyra Banks on the show and the playful flirting. I was very happy for these girls when they won a chance to meet him, especially considering I’m a fan of Chris Brown and Ne-Yo too. I remember being very nervous but professional during my interview with Ne-Yo earlier this year. Check out how Ne-Yo and Chris Brown surprised two fans.

 

And who can forget the Bow Wow kiss? This threw me because Tyra Banks blew Ludacris off for a kiss on the lips, but Bow Wow, who asked “We for real?” really did get to kiss her on the lips at Tyra Banks request. Crazy.

 

I wasn’t really feeling the speed date, and I’m still beyond belief that 50 Cent carries $25,000 in his back pocket. It’s ironic that 50 Cent would carry that much money on him since his breakout song was “How to Rob.” However, I was amused with his “Laws According to 50” about 50 Cent’s views on relationships. Start this video at 4:29.

 

And to my surprise, 50 Cent admitted that he was the one who reached out to Vivica Fox. When she cried on “The Monique Show” about how she felt with 50 Cent embarrassing her name to the media, I couldn’t blame her. However, when George Lopez didn’t ask 50 Cent on “Lopez Tonight” about his new video, I wondered if Vivica Fox was being dramatic. But 50 admitted that they’d been going out for way longer than I expected and he reached out to her (4:47).

 

It is painful to watch someone who is not very street smart interview someone from the streets. The questions are so naive, but the interviewer doesn’t realize how goofy she sounds. With that said, I can’t hold anything against Tyra Banks for not knowing some of the information she asked, but it was uncomfortable watching her try to have these special moments with T.I. when he’d answered these questions a million times before. Part 1 and Part 2 of this interview were lame and I got tired of people reminding T.I. over and over again that he was going to prison, but Part 3 was very interesting with him talking about the dating scene. Check it out.

 

I’m feeling great about the new year. I think I’ve accomplished everything I wanted to in 2009, made some tough decisions that worked out for the best and learned even more lessons in my twenty-eighth year. This is the first year in a long time that I haven’t made any New Year’s Resolutions. Why? Because I’m content with where I’m at.

So how about you? What is the best accomplishment you made in 2009? What do you plan to make your biggest accomplishment in 2010? What was your best moment in 2009? What are you looking forward to most in 2010 from those around you? If you could make one big New Year’s resolution for 2010 for everyone around you, what would it be?

 

My Answers:

What is the best accomplishment you made in 2009?

I left a job that I was just not happy with to do what I’ve always wanted to do, be a full-time freelance writer. But what I really appreciated was all of my contacts continued to stay in touch about different events. This showed me that they appreciated my work regardless of the publication I was writing for. Loyal readers and loyal supporters introduce precious relationships.

What do you plan to make your biggest accomplishment in 2010?

I go to sleep around 6 a.m. to 7 a.m., wake up around 2 p.m., and work until about 10 p.m. with different freelance companies. I’d love to be able to continue to work from home for the rest of my life. And if I have to head back into corporate, I’m determined to have a career that I love just as much as I love working from home.

What was your best moment in 2009?

I stared in admiration at CNN taping President Barack H. Obama on Inauguration Day. I was just as dumbfounded that he was standing there with his hand on the Bible and First Lady Michelle Obama standing next to him as I was with my press pass while I walked through Grant Park in 2008.

What are you looking forward to most in 2010 from those around you?

I’m looking forward to seeing what else the Obama administration can do to help America. On a personal level, I’m looking forward to building up my contacts even more. There’s so much to write about and so little time. I learn so much by writing about topics that challenge me to do deeper research.

If you could make one big New Year’s resolution for 2010 for everyone around you, what would it be?

Before I resigned from a previous job, a co-worker I gained a lot of respect for told me “never operate off of emotion. You might make the wrong decision.” So I started really considering the consequences of my decisions, and I found that I made smarter decisions when I did just that. I hope others do the same, especially the Generation Y crowd because it hurts my heart a little bit more every time I see somebody else taking someone’s life. Let’s get it together, Chicago! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update 1/16/2010: Imagine my disappointment when I went to Mario’s Twitter page as @MarioSoulTruth and see the following (top) tweet:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now how do you call yourself “truth,” do an ad against animal cruelty and then leave a tweet shouting out folks wearing fur? I spent all that time defending artists who I was hoping were true to their words and ads for posing for PETA, but it turns out artists like Mario don’t even care. I actually bought his CD because he did this ad. I sold the CD tonight because I can’t respect an artist who fakes like he stands up for a cause and then his true colors come out. It’s very sad. I started to delete this entry altogether but decided to leave it up to show the hypocrisy of if all, and how one fan’s opinions can change so quickly. It looks like I have to send an apology out to Caveat Emptor because he (or she) was exposing the truth too. My most humble apology. Who was I to think that an artist would have enough integrity to pose for a cause he believed in instead of for the money? 

Original Opening: I am cheering from my house to yours to find out one of my favorite young singers is doing an ad for PETA. Although sometimes PETA may take the ads a little far, I still respect what they’ve done for animals and to point out animal cruelty.

Hardcore vegetarian over here! But I’m elated to see young, African-American, well-known professionals get into the mix of being against animal cruelty because it’s not often that I meet another black vegetarian or black animal activist, outside of visiting SoulVegFolk.com, as I mentioned during an interview with EarthSaveRadio.

 

A former PETA employee was one of my most enthusiastic book supporters and vegetarian mentors. It was also great to meet another African-American female vegetarian in the beginning stages so I could learn about the culture. She was also helpful in promoting “Change for a Twenty” through a hip-hop program PETA once developed. If you’re interested in checking out her work, her name is Ain Drew and she wrote a poetry book called “[If] Life’s Rotten, Write to the Core.”

As for Mario, I don’t know if he’s a vegetarian or just against animal cruelty, but either way works for me. If you underestimate his singing ability, check out the opening to “Right and a Wrong Way” on “Go.” He reached deep down into his soul for that one note. Go Mario! Go PETA!

For those who are interested in the vegetarian lifestyle, feel free to check out my ChicagoNow.com blog “So you think you can be a vegetarian?”

 

Source: Woooha.com

My family laughed at me for wearing this shirt with my Santa Claus hat, but I’m just waiting on the tricks to begin tonight when the senate votes on health care reform. Maybe I’ll get my third Christmas wish list item or maybe there will be more tricks up the elephant’s sleeves. I guess I’ll find out sometime tonight. Anyway, to ChicagoNow readers, happy holidays to you and yours!

 

Updated 1/2/2010: I finally got a chance to read about the health care bill in full. Originally I found this article on The Chicago Tribune‘s site, but I can’t locate it anymore. Here is the same article on Yahoo News “A comparison of House, Senate health care bills” by Erica Werner and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar if you want to know what the new health care bill brings us in 2014. I am definitely pleased with the results.