Monday, March 30, 2009
GINA!
Houston nightlife socialite and dancehall queen extraordinaire, Gina Stovall was spotted out and about in H-town this weekend, looking as fly as ever. Go "Miss G".
Prince
The kid from "Purple Rain" is back. Recently I was fortunate enough to hear some of the cuts from Prince's latest CD, "Lotusflow3r" and was really impressed and excited. Most of the cuts take you back to the Prince days when every brother you knew had his Jheri curl hanging over the right eye and an androgynous looking shirt that your mother called you "sissy" for wearing (LOL, those were the days). I heard that the CD is a Target exclusive, although I am not sure, but I certainly do suggest buying it if you are a Prince fan or not and if you hungry for some good music aside from all the crap that is being produced today.
Obama Issues Ultimatum
This man means business, real business!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/31/business/31auto.html?ref=global
WASHINGTON — President Obama announced what amounts to a do-or-die ultimatum for the struggling automobile industry on Monday, laying out strict standards that the carmakers must meet to get more government aid and declaring that the industry must survive because it is “like no other, an emblem of the American spirit.”
President Obama after remarks on Monday. The nation “cannot afford to shirk responsibility any longer,” he said.
Obama Adminstration’s Auto Rescue Plan
G.M. Chairman Departs Rick Wagoner was asked to resign as a condition of federal help.
Working Capital The government will provide financing to G.M. for 60 days while a restructuring plan is developed.
30-Day Deadline Manufacturers have until April 30 to get concessions from union workers and creditors.
Chrysler-Fiat Partnership Chrysler would get 30 days of working capital to enter a partnership with Fiat that would give the Italian automaker a 35 percent stake.
Warranty Commitment The government would back an account to pay for repairs on autos made during the manufacturers’ restructuring periods.
Director of Auto Recovery Edward Montgomery, a former deputy Labor secretary, will oversee rescue efforts.
Robert Nardelli, the chief of Chrysler, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.
A failure of leadership “from Washington to Detroit” over the years has led the industry to the brink of collapse, the president said, and in more recent days both General Motors and Chrysler have failed to come up with plans adequate to justify the billions more in government help that they are requesting.
“And so today, I am announcing that my administration will offer G.M. and Chrysler a limited period of time to work with creditors, unions and other stakeholders to fundamentally restructure in a way that would justify an investment of additional tax dollars; a period during which they must produce plans that would give the American people confidence in their long-term prospects for success,” the president said at the White House.
Speaking a day after the White House pushed out the chairman of G.M., Mr. Obama said Chrysler has been instructed to form a partnership with the Italian automaker Fiat within 30 days as conditions for receiving another much-needed round of government aid.
The president said he was designating Edward Montgomery, a former deputy labor secretary, to oversee the auto-recovery effort. His mission will be far-reaching, to cut through government red tape and identify initiatives to support those communities hit hard by the industry’s troubles.
Other salient features of the latest plan to pull Detroit out of its decadeslong skid include a tax break, being started by the Internal Revenue Service at once, for auto purchases made between Feb. 16 and the end of 2009; incentives for people to turn in older, less fuel-efficient vehicles and buy more energy-efficient cars and government-backed warrants to assure customers that they have nothing to fear by buying a car from G.M. or Chrysler.
While the president’s announcement embodies firm government control of the car industry, at least for the time being, he said, “These companies — and this industry — must ultimately stand on their own, not as wards of the state.”
Mr. Obama said his administration has been working closely with the Canadian government, which was to announce its own “specific commitments” later Monday. Both G.M. and Chrysler have extensive operations north of the border.
The concept of encouraging people to buy more fuel-efficient cars, which has been tried with considerable success in Europe, will require the cooperation of Congress. Mr. Obama said he would work with lawmakers to identify portions of the recently enacted multibillion-dollar stimulus package that could be trimmed to finance the purchase-incentive idea — and make it effective at once.
General Motors, in a statement released after the president’s comments, said that over the next 60 days, the company would try to “address the tough issues to improve the long-term viability of the company, including the restructuring of the financial obligations to the bond holders, unions and other stakeholders.”
“Our strong preference is to complete this restructuring out of court,” G.M. said. “However, G.M. will take whatever steps are necessary to successfully restructure the company, which could include a court-supervised process.”
The president tried to project optimism as he summoned images of Detroit’s mighty past, even as he spoke of decades of complacency and problems left for another day “even as foreign competitors outpaced us.”
“Well, we have reached the end of that road,” he said. “And we, as a nation, cannot afford to shirk responsibility any longer.”
The president did not mention Ford, the other company in Detroit’s Big Three. While it has had problems, Ford has not yet found it necessary to seek government assistance.
The president envisioned an auto industry much different, almost surely smaller, and more nimble. Yet in doing so, and voicing confidence that the industry can travel that road, he recalled an earlier Detroit that “built an arsenal of democracy that propelled America to victory in the Second World War, and that powered our economic prowess in the first American century.”
The decision to ask G.M.’s chairman and chief executive, Rick Wagoner, to resign caught Detroit and Washington by surprise, and it underscored the Obama administration’s determination to keep a tight rein on the companies it is bailing out — a level of government involvement in business perhaps not seen since the Great Depression.
“This is not meant as a condemnation of Mr. Wagoner, who has devoted his life to this company; rather, it’s a recognition that it will take a new vision and new direction to create the G.M. of the future,” Mr. Obama said.
The president made clear that some form of bankruptcy, or something close to it — a quick, court-supervised restructuring, as officials described it in advance — could still be an option for G.M. or Chrysler or both. “What I am not talking about is a process where a company is broken up, sold off, and no longer exists,” the president said
Mr. Obama’s auto industry task force, in a report released Sunday night assessing the viability of both companies and detailing the administration’s new plans for them, concluded that Chrysler could not survive as a stand-alone company.
Obama Adminstration’s Auto Rescue Plan
G.M. Chairman Departs Rick Wagoner was asked to resign as a condition of federal help.
Working Capital The government will provide financing to G.M. for 60 days while a restructuring plan is developed.
30-Day Deadline Manufacturers have until April 30 to get concessions from union workers and creditors.
Chrysler-Fiat Partnership Chrysler would get 30 days of working capital to enter a partnership with Fiat that would give the Italian automaker a 35 percent stake.
Warranty Commitment The government would back an account to pay for repairs on autos made during the manufacturers’ restructuring periods.
Director of Auto Recovery Edward Montgomery, a former deputy Labor secretary, will oversee rescue efforts.
Stephen Crowley/The New York Times
Rick Wagoner, right, the chairman of General Motors, testifying in November before a Senate panel on the auto industry, along with Robert Nardelli, the chief of Chrysler.
The report said the company would get no more help from the government unless it can finalize a proposed alliance with the Italian automaker Fiat by April 30. It must also reduce its debt and health care obligations.
If a deal is reached between Chrysler and Fiat, the administration says it would consider another loan of $6 billion to Chrysler.
G.M., on the other hand, has made considerable progress in developing new energy-efficient cars and could survive if it can cut costs sharply, the task force reported. The administration is giving G.M. 60 days to present a cost-cutting plan and will provide taxpayer assistance to keep it afloat during that time.
Although some observers of the auto industry have attributed Detroit’s troubles in part to generous wages and health benefits for assembly line workers, the president made no mention of those factors. “The pain being felt in places that rely on our auto industry is not the fault of our workers, who labor tirelessly and desperately want to see their companies succeed,” he said. “And it is not the fault of all the families and communities that supported manufacturing plants throughout the generations.”
Rather, he said, there has been a failure of leadership.
Along with Mr. Wagoner’s ouster, the task force said most of the company’s board would be replaced over the next few months. In a statement Monday, Mr. Wagoner said he had been urged to “step aside” by administration officials, “and so I have.”
His resignation is the latest example of the government taking a hands-on role in making major decisions at companies it is bailing out. The government has already pushed banks to make management changes and sharply reduce or eliminate their dividends, and it also is directing many of the decisions at the troubled insurance giant, American International Group, which is nearly 80 percent owned by the government after its rescue.
In deciding to urge Mr. Wagoner to step down, the Obama administration seemed mindful of the public’s growing outrage over bailouts of private companies, as well as the bonuses paid to employees of A.I.G.
Mr. Obama is well aware that he cannot afford to give the appearance of using tax dollars to reward executives who have done a poor job, and he began signaling as early as last week that he would take a tough stance with the automakers.
The plan Mr. Obama announced on Monday will also include government backing of warranties for G.M. and Chrysler cars and trucks, to give consumers enough confidence to buy them, even if one or both are forced into bankruptcy.
Mr. Wagoner has presided over a steep drop in G.M.’s domestic market share, which has led to tens of billions of dollars in losses. His critics have said that management’s failure to move aggressively to address the company’s problems contributed to its dire financial situation.
G.M. and Chrysler have almost exhausted the combined $17.4 billion in federal aid they have received since December. G.M. has asked for up to $16.6 billion more, and Chrysler has requested another $5 billion.
Bondholders are under pressure to convert two-thirds of the $27 billion owed them into G.M. stock, while the United Auto Workers union is being asked to substitute stock for 50 percent of their health care benefits for retirees. Both groups have resisted those changes.
Administration officials say they have enough money to offer the assistance they envision under plans already approved by Congress. Even so, Mr. Obama may face skepticism on Capitol Hill and from the public.
As part of the companies’ original agreement for the loans, both were required to submit restructuring plans. Mr. Wagoner’s removal underscores how much more G.M. needs to cut than was proposed in the plan the company submitted.
Administration officials stressed that the company needed a fresh approach and leadership changes; they said Steven Rattner, the former investment banker who co-chairs the auto task force, delivered the news to Mr. Wagoner.
Frederick A. Henderson, G.M.’s president, will succeed Mr. Wagoner on an interim basis as chief executive; Kent Kresa, a board member, will assume the chairmanship. Members of the auto panel spoke with Mr. Henderson recently and came away with a favorable impression of him, people familiar with the panel’s discussions said.
G.M. collapsed last fall when new-vehicle sales in the United States plummeted to their lowest level in 25 years. G.M. lost more than $30 billion in 2008, and has been subsisting on government loans since the beginning of the year.
The administration briefed lawmakers on the plan Sunday night. Afterward, Representative Thaddeus G. McCotter, Republican of Michigan, whose district is just outside Detroit, expressed frustration over the ousting of Mr. Wagoner and with administration officials for not being clearer about the potential job losses that lie ahead.
“Why would you ask Rick Wagoner to resign when you are giving G.M. 60 days to meet a new target, but you aren’t saying what the new goal is yet,” Mr. McCotter said in an interview.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/31/business/31auto.html?ref=global
WASHINGTON — President Obama announced what amounts to a do-or-die ultimatum for the struggling automobile industry on Monday, laying out strict standards that the carmakers must meet to get more government aid and declaring that the industry must survive because it is “like no other, an emblem of the American spirit.”
President Obama after remarks on Monday. The nation “cannot afford to shirk responsibility any longer,” he said.
Obama Adminstration’s Auto Rescue Plan
G.M. Chairman Departs Rick Wagoner was asked to resign as a condition of federal help.
Working Capital The government will provide financing to G.M. for 60 days while a restructuring plan is developed.
30-Day Deadline Manufacturers have until April 30 to get concessions from union workers and creditors.
Chrysler-Fiat Partnership Chrysler would get 30 days of working capital to enter a partnership with Fiat that would give the Italian automaker a 35 percent stake.
Warranty Commitment The government would back an account to pay for repairs on autos made during the manufacturers’ restructuring periods.
Director of Auto Recovery Edward Montgomery, a former deputy Labor secretary, will oversee rescue efforts.
Robert Nardelli, the chief of Chrysler, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.
A failure of leadership “from Washington to Detroit” over the years has led the industry to the brink of collapse, the president said, and in more recent days both General Motors and Chrysler have failed to come up with plans adequate to justify the billions more in government help that they are requesting.
“And so today, I am announcing that my administration will offer G.M. and Chrysler a limited period of time to work with creditors, unions and other stakeholders to fundamentally restructure in a way that would justify an investment of additional tax dollars; a period during which they must produce plans that would give the American people confidence in their long-term prospects for success,” the president said at the White House.
Speaking a day after the White House pushed out the chairman of G.M., Mr. Obama said Chrysler has been instructed to form a partnership with the Italian automaker Fiat within 30 days as conditions for receiving another much-needed round of government aid.
The president said he was designating Edward Montgomery, a former deputy labor secretary, to oversee the auto-recovery effort. His mission will be far-reaching, to cut through government red tape and identify initiatives to support those communities hit hard by the industry’s troubles.
Other salient features of the latest plan to pull Detroit out of its decadeslong skid include a tax break, being started by the Internal Revenue Service at once, for auto purchases made between Feb. 16 and the end of 2009; incentives for people to turn in older, less fuel-efficient vehicles and buy more energy-efficient cars and government-backed warrants to assure customers that they have nothing to fear by buying a car from G.M. or Chrysler.
While the president’s announcement embodies firm government control of the car industry, at least for the time being, he said, “These companies — and this industry — must ultimately stand on their own, not as wards of the state.”
Mr. Obama said his administration has been working closely with the Canadian government, which was to announce its own “specific commitments” later Monday. Both G.M. and Chrysler have extensive operations north of the border.
The concept of encouraging people to buy more fuel-efficient cars, which has been tried with considerable success in Europe, will require the cooperation of Congress. Mr. Obama said he would work with lawmakers to identify portions of the recently enacted multibillion-dollar stimulus package that could be trimmed to finance the purchase-incentive idea — and make it effective at once.
General Motors, in a statement released after the president’s comments, said that over the next 60 days, the company would try to “address the tough issues to improve the long-term viability of the company, including the restructuring of the financial obligations to the bond holders, unions and other stakeholders.”
“Our strong preference is to complete this restructuring out of court,” G.M. said. “However, G.M. will take whatever steps are necessary to successfully restructure the company, which could include a court-supervised process.”
The president tried to project optimism as he summoned images of Detroit’s mighty past, even as he spoke of decades of complacency and problems left for another day “even as foreign competitors outpaced us.”
“Well, we have reached the end of that road,” he said. “And we, as a nation, cannot afford to shirk responsibility any longer.”
The president did not mention Ford, the other company in Detroit’s Big Three. While it has had problems, Ford has not yet found it necessary to seek government assistance.
The president envisioned an auto industry much different, almost surely smaller, and more nimble. Yet in doing so, and voicing confidence that the industry can travel that road, he recalled an earlier Detroit that “built an arsenal of democracy that propelled America to victory in the Second World War, and that powered our economic prowess in the first American century.”
The decision to ask G.M.’s chairman and chief executive, Rick Wagoner, to resign caught Detroit and Washington by surprise, and it underscored the Obama administration’s determination to keep a tight rein on the companies it is bailing out — a level of government involvement in business perhaps not seen since the Great Depression.
“This is not meant as a condemnation of Mr. Wagoner, who has devoted his life to this company; rather, it’s a recognition that it will take a new vision and new direction to create the G.M. of the future,” Mr. Obama said.
The president made clear that some form of bankruptcy, or something close to it — a quick, court-supervised restructuring, as officials described it in advance — could still be an option for G.M. or Chrysler or both. “What I am not talking about is a process where a company is broken up, sold off, and no longer exists,” the president said
Mr. Obama’s auto industry task force, in a report released Sunday night assessing the viability of both companies and detailing the administration’s new plans for them, concluded that Chrysler could not survive as a stand-alone company.
Obama Adminstration’s Auto Rescue Plan
G.M. Chairman Departs Rick Wagoner was asked to resign as a condition of federal help.
Working Capital The government will provide financing to G.M. for 60 days while a restructuring plan is developed.
30-Day Deadline Manufacturers have until April 30 to get concessions from union workers and creditors.
Chrysler-Fiat Partnership Chrysler would get 30 days of working capital to enter a partnership with Fiat that would give the Italian automaker a 35 percent stake.
Warranty Commitment The government would back an account to pay for repairs on autos made during the manufacturers’ restructuring periods.
Director of Auto Recovery Edward Montgomery, a former deputy Labor secretary, will oversee rescue efforts.
Stephen Crowley/The New York Times
Rick Wagoner, right, the chairman of General Motors, testifying in November before a Senate panel on the auto industry, along with Robert Nardelli, the chief of Chrysler.
The report said the company would get no more help from the government unless it can finalize a proposed alliance with the Italian automaker Fiat by April 30. It must also reduce its debt and health care obligations.
If a deal is reached between Chrysler and Fiat, the administration says it would consider another loan of $6 billion to Chrysler.
G.M., on the other hand, has made considerable progress in developing new energy-efficient cars and could survive if it can cut costs sharply, the task force reported. The administration is giving G.M. 60 days to present a cost-cutting plan and will provide taxpayer assistance to keep it afloat during that time.
Although some observers of the auto industry have attributed Detroit’s troubles in part to generous wages and health benefits for assembly line workers, the president made no mention of those factors. “The pain being felt in places that rely on our auto industry is not the fault of our workers, who labor tirelessly and desperately want to see their companies succeed,” he said. “And it is not the fault of all the families and communities that supported manufacturing plants throughout the generations.”
Rather, he said, there has been a failure of leadership.
Along with Mr. Wagoner’s ouster, the task force said most of the company’s board would be replaced over the next few months. In a statement Monday, Mr. Wagoner said he had been urged to “step aside” by administration officials, “and so I have.”
His resignation is the latest example of the government taking a hands-on role in making major decisions at companies it is bailing out. The government has already pushed banks to make management changes and sharply reduce or eliminate their dividends, and it also is directing many of the decisions at the troubled insurance giant, American International Group, which is nearly 80 percent owned by the government after its rescue.
In deciding to urge Mr. Wagoner to step down, the Obama administration seemed mindful of the public’s growing outrage over bailouts of private companies, as well as the bonuses paid to employees of A.I.G.
Mr. Obama is well aware that he cannot afford to give the appearance of using tax dollars to reward executives who have done a poor job, and he began signaling as early as last week that he would take a tough stance with the automakers.
The plan Mr. Obama announced on Monday will also include government backing of warranties for G.M. and Chrysler cars and trucks, to give consumers enough confidence to buy them, even if one or both are forced into bankruptcy.
Mr. Wagoner has presided over a steep drop in G.M.’s domestic market share, which has led to tens of billions of dollars in losses. His critics have said that management’s failure to move aggressively to address the company’s problems contributed to its dire financial situation.
G.M. and Chrysler have almost exhausted the combined $17.4 billion in federal aid they have received since December. G.M. has asked for up to $16.6 billion more, and Chrysler has requested another $5 billion.
Bondholders are under pressure to convert two-thirds of the $27 billion owed them into G.M. stock, while the United Auto Workers union is being asked to substitute stock for 50 percent of their health care benefits for retirees. Both groups have resisted those changes.
Administration officials say they have enough money to offer the assistance they envision under plans already approved by Congress. Even so, Mr. Obama may face skepticism on Capitol Hill and from the public.
As part of the companies’ original agreement for the loans, both were required to submit restructuring plans. Mr. Wagoner’s removal underscores how much more G.M. needs to cut than was proposed in the plan the company submitted.
Administration officials stressed that the company needed a fresh approach and leadership changes; they said Steven Rattner, the former investment banker who co-chairs the auto task force, delivered the news to Mr. Wagoner.
Frederick A. Henderson, G.M.’s president, will succeed Mr. Wagoner on an interim basis as chief executive; Kent Kresa, a board member, will assume the chairmanship. Members of the auto panel spoke with Mr. Henderson recently and came away with a favorable impression of him, people familiar with the panel’s discussions said.
G.M. collapsed last fall when new-vehicle sales in the United States plummeted to their lowest level in 25 years. G.M. lost more than $30 billion in 2008, and has been subsisting on government loans since the beginning of the year.
The administration briefed lawmakers on the plan Sunday night. Afterward, Representative Thaddeus G. McCotter, Republican of Michigan, whose district is just outside Detroit, expressed frustration over the ousting of Mr. Wagoner and with administration officials for not being clearer about the potential job losses that lie ahead.
“Why would you ask Rick Wagoner to resign when you are giving G.M. 60 days to meet a new target, but you aren’t saying what the new goal is yet,” Mr. McCotter said in an interview.
Prayer Request
One of our readers in Houston, TX., Mrs. Kim Hudson lost her father, Mr. Victor Guidry, a resident of Port Arthur, TX. last week after a lengthly illness. She is asking for your prayers for her and her families continued strength during their time of bereavement. Services will be held this weekend in Port Arthur.
Tiger Woods Pulls a Gotcha!
Banged up knee and all, Tiger still stands tall
Tiger strengthens rankings lead
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Tiger Woods was in jeopardy of losing his top spot in the world rankings last week, but a victory Sunday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational strengthened his standing.
Woods was first, followed by Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Geoff Ogilvy and Padraig Harrington.
Vijay Singh was sixth again this week, while Robert Karlsson and Camilo Villegas switched place. Karlsson finished seventh and Villegas came in eighth. Kenny Perry moved up to ninth and Henrik Stenson slipped one to No. 10.
Steve Stricker and Paul Casey remained in 11th and 12th, respectively. Anthony Kim and Lee Westwood each rose one, but Jim Furyk dipped two down to 15th.
Ernie Els, Rory McIlroy, Stewart Cink, Mike Weir and Martin Kaymer all held pat from last week to complete the top 20.
Sean O'Hair, who finished second to Woods last week, jumped 13 places to 28th in the world, his highest career ranking.
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Tiger Woods was in jeopardy of losing his top spot in the world rankings last week, but a victory Sunday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational strengthened his standing.
Woods was first, followed by Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Geoff Ogilvy and Padraig Harrington.
Vijay Singh was sixth again this week, while Robert Karlsson and Camilo Villegas switched place. Karlsson finished seventh and Villegas came in eighth. Kenny Perry moved up to ninth and Henrik Stenson slipped one to No. 10.
Steve Stricker and Paul Casey remained in 11th and 12th, respectively. Anthony Kim and Lee Westwood each rose one, but Jim Furyk dipped two down to 15th.
Ernie Els, Rory McIlroy, Stewart Cink, Mike Weir and Martin Kaymer all held pat from last week to complete the top 20.
Sean O'Hair, who finished second to Woods last week, jumped 13 places to 28th in the world, his highest career ranking.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Puffy doesn't want you! (UPDATE)
Strangely enough, this particular casting has now been removed from the ethnicity talent website. I'll drink some Taaka to that!
STOP THE MADNESS, WHO IN THE HELL LEFT THE GATE OPEN? and CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?
STOP THE MADNESS, WHO IN THE HELL LEFT THE GATE OPEN? and CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?
Puffy doesn't want you!
I am sure that by now, you have read the casting call for Ciroc Vodka, right? Well it appears that dark chocolate does not go well with Vodka anymore to some people. The Ciroc casting calls for "light skinned" African American and Hispanic females. On top of that, they require women size 7 or smaller. Like larger sized dark women is not a part of their target audience. Don't they know it takes more liquor to get a heavier sized person drunk than a larger sized one (and I know this)? Anyway, I guess Mr. Puffy's baby mama, Ms. Porter ain't good enough to represent his drink either? See at my house, I serve Taaka Vodka by the barrels, and I for sure wouldn't spend a dime on Ciroc now and urge you to do the same. See for yourself:
Ciroc Promotion
Ciroc promo is this Friday, March 27, 2009
Time: 3:00pm - 7:00pm and 12:00am - 3:00am
Requirements:
Race: White, hispanic or light skinned african american
Height: At least 5′6 or taller
Size 7 or smaller.
This is a cash @ wrap job and the booking will be thru our partner. Please submit asap.Talent will only be contacted if the client is interested in booking you!!!
http://ethnicitytalent.com/castings_search.php
I see why so many young black women have problems with their self image.
Ciroc promo is this Friday, March 27, 2009
Time: 3:00pm - 7:00pm and 12:00am - 3:00am
Requirements:
Race: White, hispanic or light skinned african american
Height: At least 5′6 or taller
Size 7 or smaller.
This is a cash @ wrap job and the booking will be thru our partner. Please submit asap.Talent will only be contacted if the client is interested in booking you!!!
http://ethnicitytalent.com/castings_search.php
I see why so many young black women have problems with their self image.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Comments
I do believe that I have fixed the issue with the posting comments section. Well, hopefully anyway. Try it.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sir, Your $2000 Car is Ready
The Tata Motors, Nano will be released on April, 1st, 2009 ( I hope this is not an April Fools joke) with a pricetag of only $2000. I am not sure of that's USD or not but I find out. Question is, "Would you by this car?"
POEM OF THE DAY - "Southern Comfort"
The following poem was actually based on an experience I had many years ago after moving to Houston. I was invited to a friend of a friends house for dinner. This guy drove a top of the line sports car, always smelled like the men's cologne fragrance counter at Saks and dressed in the best name brand fashions you could buy at that time. Now, I had never been to his house before, but assumed that he lived large because of how he presented himself. However when I got to his house, noting could have been further from the truth. He lived in a run down mobile home (and there is nothing wrong with that) that seemed like he had not cleaned it since birth! He was so accommodating though, offering us food and drink but because the roaches had the run of the kitchen, I refused to eat a thing. Now if that wasn't enough, it was the smell that prompted me to say that I had to leave early because my Grandmother had taken ill. Y'all, my Grandmother died many years before I was born...go figure. Anyway, enjoy:
Southern Comfort
A rat ran across the living room floor
then through the bathroom door.
I acted like I didn’t see it.
But my company did.
I wonder where he hid.
I opened the fridge, a roach was
on the water jug
and another on my favorite mug.
I acted like I didn’t see it.
But my company did.
They’ll drink a coke instead.
There is rust on top
of the coffee pot
but the coffee was nice and hot.
I acted like I didn’t see it.
But my company did.
My stove don’t work.
My toilet won’t flush.
What’s the rush?
My grass is high.
My house smells like pee.
Well, there’s no one here but me.
My TV won’t talk
My porch is falling in.
I acted like I didn’t notice it.
But my company did.
I farted then left the room
and wished that I had known
that when I returned
my company would be gone.
I acted like I didn’t smell it.
I guess my company did.
Some Christmas,
I haven’t had company since.
WYLD STYLZ
Southern Comfort
A rat ran across the living room floor
then through the bathroom door.
I acted like I didn’t see it.
But my company did.
I wonder where he hid.
I opened the fridge, a roach was
on the water jug
and another on my favorite mug.
I acted like I didn’t see it.
But my company did.
They’ll drink a coke instead.
There is rust on top
of the coffee pot
but the coffee was nice and hot.
I acted like I didn’t see it.
But my company did.
My stove don’t work.
My toilet won’t flush.
What’s the rush?
My grass is high.
My house smells like pee.
Well, there’s no one here but me.
My TV won’t talk
My porch is falling in.
I acted like I didn’t notice it.
But my company did.
I farted then left the room
and wished that I had known
that when I returned
my company would be gone.
I acted like I didn’t smell it.
I guess my company did.
Some Christmas,
I haven’t had company since.
WYLD STYLZ
Movie Review - "Knowing"
Well, if the price of a movie ticket at $9.50 and the cost of popcorn and a soda at $11.50, doesn't keep me from a theater for the next year, having a love affair with the bootleg man will. Anyway, I decided to go to the theater this weekend to see the latest Apocalyptic thriller, "Knowing" staring Nicolas Cage. Overall, I'd have to say that it was a very good movie. I give the special effects and A+ because they were some of the best I've seen. The movie, loosely based on prophecy (none biblical or related to 12/21/2012) , was dark and very disturbing if you really believe the earth is in a current vulnerable position to be annihilated very soon and may cause you to lose a few hours sleep after seeing it. I will not give the movie away but the end really threw me one of those curves that you didn't see coming. Considering this an "A" film and because of all it's hype, I did expect to see some better acting from the rest of the movies co-stars. Predictable at times, may pull a tear or two and good enough to keep me awake at 1:00a.m. I do highly recommend it.
Whoopi Goldberg is HOT!!!
Whoopi Goldberg blasted some media critics about her style of dress and let them have it. See for yourself at the johnjohnsaidit blogspot: http://johnjohnsaidit.com/whoopi-lashes-out-at-fashion-critics/
I ain't saying nothing because Whoopi seems like she may be ready to Whoop some @ss. But anyway, what do you think about Whoopi's style?
I ain't saying nothing because Whoopi seems like she may be ready to Whoop some @ss. But anyway, what do you think about Whoopi's style?
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Sports Features
One of our readers mentioned to me that he would like to see more sports content on the blog and I thought it was a really good idea. So look for some sports related tags real soon. Thanks Michael Rios from Houston, TX. for the idea.
POEM OF THE DAY - "Spots"
I wrote this poem a few years back. It, in all of its graphic interpretation, is actually an ode to the millions of parents whose children have been victimized through sexual molestation, who for years had no earthly idea that it was happening, until one day the truth rears its ugly head. It is a harsh reality for many parents who emotionally torture themselves by feeling guilty for not being able to keep it from happening and not knowing all the while:
Spots
(for the mothers who didn’t know)
weep
grasping the countless times
of purity stolen
visions of the forcing pupil
down
my throat
and fingers between
my cheeks
I am no longer a child
I am a slave
weep
grasping the endless moments
of humility endured
the weight on
my back
greasy hands
clasp my waist
the pain
mental
I am no longer a child
I am a slave
my jaw frozen with fear
as my underwear hangs
speechless
on the line
drying
as my mother wonders
and screams
why?
I am only a child
I am not a slave
weep
grasping her dress-tail
she asks God questions
through a thousand
tears
and kills herself
with sorrow
WYLD STYLZ
Spots
(for the mothers who didn’t know)
weep
grasping the countless times
of purity stolen
visions of the forcing pupil
down
my throat
and fingers between
my cheeks
I am no longer a child
I am a slave
weep
grasping the endless moments
of humility endured
the weight on
my back
greasy hands
clasp my waist
the pain
mental
I am no longer a child
I am a slave
my jaw frozen with fear
as my underwear hangs
speechless
on the line
drying
as my mother wonders
and screams
why?
I am only a child
I am not a slave
weep
grasping her dress-tail
she asks God questions
through a thousand
tears
and kills herself
with sorrow
WYLD STYLZ
Commenting
I have been getting a lot of e-mails from people saying that they have been having problems commenting. So have I! I have no idea what the problem is, but I am looking into it now and as soon as i figure it out, I will let you know. Thanks for being patient.
Blind Faith
Hello everyone, just to let you know that for the past couple of weeks I have not been posting because I have been busy with my regular job and two freelance jobs that I am trying to finish. But anyway, things have been well. On this past Monday, I celebrated by 41st birthday and wanted to thank everyone that called and e-mailed me to wish me a Happy Birthday. Strangest thing though, right about mid morning on my birthday, I started to feel a bit down, almost depressed and I can honestly say, I had no reason why. I felt fine, I think I look well, the bills were paid, I had a job and everyone I knew was alive and healthy. But, I just could not shake this feeling. For some reason, deep inside I felt undone; like there was something I needed to do. As the next day went by, I began to feel a little better emotionally (especially after my mothers dinner) but still, like I needed to hear a word from God. Now those of you that know me personally can attest to the fact that I am no Saint. I am far from perfect and am usually the last person to preach so what I am about to say is coming from Wyld Stylz the person, not Wyld Stylz the minister. However, on the flip side of that, I do believe that we are all ministers in a sense in that we minister to each other through our daily lives. But back to what I was saying earlier, about feeling like I needed a word from God. So at lunch on today, I am listening to Twinkie Clark’s, “Praise and Worship’ CD and a song comes on about faith. I love the song and am singing to the top of my voice. I guess that the people driving past me are thinking that I am a nut job on wheels. But you see, I’ve been doing this for so long now, I have actually learned to ignore them (LOL). Minutes into my musical retreat, I am really starting to listen to the words to the song now, as I am singing and really getting a message here. Right about this time, I come to a screeching halt as I am stopped by a red traffic light. I didn’t stop so suddenly because I was caught up or not paying attention to traffic but because I just really wanted to run the light. But something inside said, “Stop” (you know that little thing we call a conscious but is really the spirit). So I stopped. While I am sitting at the light, a fairly young, well dressed man begins to cross the street with one of those sticks used by blind people to assist them in their daily routines outside of their homes. You know the ones with the red end. Now this intersection is really busy all the time and made even more hectic with lunch hour commuters. Definitely no intersection to be footing for the sighted or the blind. I stopped singing the song and without being conscious about it, I look at this guy and start talking aloud to myself (which I always do) saying the following words: “Man this guys is out here walking the street all by himself, blind surrounded by all these crazy driving people. Now that takes some faith.” I ponder the whole situation for a minute to just kind of take it in. Now about this time, the word, “Faith” pops back into my mind. I begin to say to myself now, “How is it that this man can have enough faith to put himself out in this cruel, selfish and sometimes unforgiving world like he has, all alone.” And then I hear the words, “He’s not alone.” At this time, the traffic light turns green and I try to put the situation behind me and go back to listening to my music. Now remember, the song that I was listening to was about, “Faith”. It wasn’t until this moment I began to see that the word that I was needing to hear from God, was being given to me at that moment and by His will, I was to receive it. This unveiling, if you will, sent me into a strong moment of “unself”. Unself for those of you who may not know is a realm of spiritual consciousness that is free of artificiality; sincere and genuine; "an unaffected grace". But during this time, I started to question the reasoning behind the revelation, was this just a message to me or a message to share? Unself kicked in high gear again and revealed that I was to learn and to share. Through faith, the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, we can all learn to depend on a Higher Power for our needs to be met during these and all uncertain times. We can learn to step out on faith for those ventures we have so long wanted to delve in. We can learn to become action individuals and not just those who sit around and watch life go by. We can step out and start those piano lessons, karate classes, aerobics activities, household projects and job searches. Through faith we can become better parents, partners, neighbors, co-workers and siblings. Why? Because through faith, all things are possible. Faith itself is like a seedling, you have to nurture it, feed it and assist in making it grow. I can gather that the first time the blind man crossing the street started to venture out alone, it had to be a frightening experience but through faith, it has become second nature. The obstacles he once faced are not as great, the fear is not as intense, the journeys don’t seem as long. If we learn to relate our everyday lives to the faith of a blind man, then we can begin to see the world for what it really is; our canvass. We can see ourselves and our lives, stronger, wiser, richer and even more attractive. I say attractive because with God, everything in the world around you looks different, but opening ourselves up to receive this, is a practice we perfect through faith itself. I challenge you and myself on this day to sow and grow in faith and put it into action because remember, faith without works is dead.
WYLD STYLZ
WYLD STYLZ
Friday, March 6, 2009
Anyway You Bless Me (Great Motto)
When I first saw this throwback of Vanessa Bell Armstrong, I didn't know whether to shout or put on a sequined jacket and take to the nearest dancefloor. Anyway, God stepped in and lifted me. I hope it has the same effect on you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG-xHxgt2IM
Monday, March 2, 2009
Eddie Murphy Strikes Gold
I just heard on today that Eddie Murphy landed the role playing Richard Pryor in an upcoming biopic. I don't know if Eddie would have been my first choice because Richard was a very light skinned guy and very skinny. This is kind of like Angela Bassett playing Violetta Wallace in "Notorious". Well, we'll see. Should be a good movie though.
Alternative Cancer Treatment
I received the following via e-mail on today and read it thoroughly. Most of which, I had already read and knew and believe it wholeheartedly, but wanted to share with you guys. I pray that we all live longer, healthier lives. Remember this saying, "I wan to to die young at an old age". It is possible.
News from John Hopkins:
AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY (TRY THE KEY WORD) AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHN HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY
Cancer Update from John Hopkins:
1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.
2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.
3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.
4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.
5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.
6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.
7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.
8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.
9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.
10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.
11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.
CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder.By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells.. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.
b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened Soya milk cancer cells are being starved.
c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment.A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruit helps put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).
e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine.Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water- best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.
12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup.
13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and al ows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFA s etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.
16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.
PLEASE READ ON
1. No plastic containers in micro.
2. No water bottles in freezer.
3. No plastic wrap in microwave.Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Dioxin chemicals cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies.Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital was on a TV program to explain this health hazard He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers.. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons. Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.
News from John Hopkins:
AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY (TRY THE KEY WORD) AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHN HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY
Cancer Update from John Hopkins:
1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.
2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.
3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.
4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.
5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.
6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.
7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.
8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.
9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.
10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.
11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.
CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder.By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells.. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.
b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened Soya milk cancer cells are being starved.
c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment.A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruit helps put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).
e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine.Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water- best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.
12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup.
13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and al ows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFA s etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.
16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.
PLEASE READ ON
1. No plastic containers in micro.
2. No water bottles in freezer.
3. No plastic wrap in microwave.Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Dioxin chemicals cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies.Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital was on a TV program to explain this health hazard He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers.. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons. Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.
Poem of the Day - "Spade"
Spade
It hit me
like my period
and just that.
Without warning,
like a jolt
of electricity.
The forbidden felicity
that I was in love
with this man
10 years my senior.
It warmed me
like jambalaya
and just that.
With the spice
of passion
the subtle rush
forced myself to hush
that I was in love
with this man
who taught me
to be just that.
like jambalaya
and just that.
With the spice
of passion
the subtle rush
forced myself to hush
that I was in love
with this man
who taught me
to be just that.
WYLD STYLZ
SOUL TRAIN
I remember as a child, feeling so shorted because we were not allowed to play secular music in the house because Mama Elsie said that they were "Blues" and that was not the type of music befitting the house of a ministers wife. HOWEVER, once a week, on Saturday afternoons, she would allow us to watch one show and boy would we make up for all the days we were saints. That show was "Soul Train". On occasion, she would even stop by the television and say, "Look at them gals snatch it. We used to do that when I was young, but we really knew how to get it". Soul Train was a religious experience for my family. You couldn't do anything, cut grass, get your hair braided, go grocery shopping or to the show, until after Soul Train. Do you remember, Soul Train?
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