Who is Dick Gregory?

A while ago, while lounging on my living room couch, I saw an interview with Dick Gregory. I, somewhere in my mind recognized him. I often times mistake recognition with familiarity. He has a familiar voice, and a familiar face. He’s like a grandfather or great uncle you see at church, that always has change in their pockets.

Dick Gregory’s topic of choice was far from church folk banter. He made me shoot up from my seat when he spoke about how Dr. King was really assassinated by the government, and then how the Katrina floods were man made. He has written many books, including one entitled, "Nigger:An Autobiography". He’s Mr. Conspiracy, but the Brits also call him Mr. Incredible. I give you, Dick Gregory.
-mel

Where my people at???

On Oprah recently, I saw an interveiw with Angela Bassett about the new movie she's in, Bee Season. It was an ok interveiw. Oprah asked about Angela's new babies, twins, a boy and a girl. Pictures of the babies were shown, everybody swooned. Then Oprah told Angela, "You look great!" Angela said thanks and told Oprah how old the kids were, I think she said 11 weeks. Then Oprah asked if she was getting any sleep, Angela replied, 'yes, I have full time help.'. Yes, there is a point to this reaccount. Angela Bassett was never pregnant!!! She and her hubby had twins via surrogate. She looks great cause she was never pregnant, she looks great cause she has full time help. Why didn't Oprah mention this, did she even know? I wouldn't have known if Von hadn't told me. There is some woman out there who is gonna see that and think, 'i just had twins, and i don't look anywhere near as good as she does.' That's not right. Why do we know so much about certain celebs lives and nothing about others. And by others I mean black celebs. How many people knew Gabriel Union was married to a professional football player?? O.K. How many knew she is now separated? She is a huge black star, huge. Yet I know more about Brittney Spears's dirty ass husband than I do her.

And I could give a crap.

What are Jada and Will doing? What project is Spike Lee's wife working on? Who is the father of Jill Marie Jones's baby?!?!?! Cause damn it I want to know. The press is being racist. Black celebs should get equal air/page time. The only black celebs you see on a tabloid cover are Oprah and Micheal Jackson. And we know Oprah is always goning to have weight issues and she is not gay. Micheal, well, he is out of the country.

Maybe I should be greatful for what I do get. Latin's only have J-Lo. -mel

Ready, Set, Roll

On my way into work last week, my coworker text messages me "Don't take the 5, traffic bad." Fantastic. The time is 8:50 a.m. We just implemented new office hours at work which means I have to be there a half hour EARLIER and I'm about to be late. I must note that being late is not the unusual part of this story. The fact that I was going to be on time...AND at earlier working hours...bizarre. Nonetheless, my nifty self knew of 2 other options to get to work. Having just recently decided to get off the HWY in LA as often as possible, I opted to head through Griffith Park. Traffic was mounting as I approached the entrance of the park. As I slowly creeped along the weaving road, I soon see an archway of balloons, some cops, a bright light source...oooh, they must be shooting a film scene or something!! As a new native, I'm still geeked out with the possibility of seeing famous folks. TO MY GREAT DISMAY, as I approached the stop sign, I see that it's the starting hub for a race, A RACE, of senior citizens. The time is 9 a.m. 9 A.M.!! During rush hour traffic on a weekday!? Everybody knows that races start at 6 a.m. No matter whom, what or where, if you're doing a race, you know it starts at 6 a.m. And this being a race of senior citizens, they've already been up since 4 a.m., they are well into their day come 6 a.m.! The time is 9:20 a.m. I'm at the LA Zoo. I could have rolled to work faster than this is moving. Unbelievable. Children, what is the lesson learned here? It doesn't pay to have grandparents who keep fit because it makes the younger, working generation late to work even when they try to be good employees and arrive on time. Plus, medicare doesn't cover all your prescription drugs. Saw it on a sign. -von

When I grow up...

Quick movie reveiw:
I saw 'Friends With Money' this week and liked it very much. I won't say loved, because I reserve that term for actual 'love' of something. But I really enjoyed my time in the theater with these characters. It's about women in their late 30's and early 40's living life, at varied levels of richness. I liked the flick because it portrayed women as they really look at those ages. I saw wrinkles and age spots and crows feet on a huge movie screen, and I loved it. Women in their 30's and 40's are beautiful. I hate when I see actresses who are no where near 40 having 20 year old kids! Anywho...the story was about how these ladies plotted their life courses and ended up with different amounts of wealth, succsess, and different kinds of men.

Frances McDormand rocks!!! She rocks hard with her bad self. In this film she is amazing. She's the friend that starts having fears and depression about aging. I loved her character because she is 43 and just lets go of caring. *laughing* She stops washing her hair, she starts yelling at strangers and calling it as she sees it. LOVE HER. She does go a bit over board, but, no matter...still love her.

This movie reminded me of why I can't wait to turn 40. I'm gonna rock 40 like you can not believe. I have always loved women in their 40's, ever since I was young and began to clock womens ages without having to ask. There is a freedom there, a fearlessness I enjoy. A great many lessons have been learned, but there is still so much life left to live. At an older age, you know yourself well enough to go for the good stuff and cut out all the crap. And black women in their 40's can be dangerous, I can't wait.