Aaliyah Would Have Been Bigger Than Beyonce'

Tuesday marked the 8th anniversary of the death of R&B Aaliyah. She died on August 25, 2001 in a plane crash in the Bahamas after filming a video for "Rock the Boat". I remember that day very clearly as if it were yesterday, & I was sad when I heard the news because she was one of my favorite singers.

When she died, she was just beginning to gain the overall success that Beyonce' has right now. She had two previous double-platinum albums (Age Ain't Nothing But A Number
in 1994 and One In A Million in 1996), a starring role in a hit movie (Romeo Must Die in 2000), and other projects that she was working on. Her career was on the way up at the time of her death, & I keep thinking about what could have been if she were still alive today. Beyonce' had great success on her 1st solo record, but her popularity carried over from Destiny's Child. Aaliyah started out on her own and she was younger.

She had also won several awards and been nominated for others, including 2 Grammy nominations and more after her death. She won 2 MTV VMA's 2 NAACP Image Awards, 3 American Music Awards, and 4 World Music Awards, including Entertainer of the Year in 1998.

Aaliyah was 14 when she released Age Ain't Nothing But A Number in 1994, and she had released 3 platinum albums when she died at age 22. The potential of what her career could have been is incredible, because she was on the way up.

Her unique style and vocal delivery made her influential in 90's R&B. On top of that, her style in every stage of her career was trend-setting. I remember that I used to want to wear baggy pants and sunglasses to be like her when I was little.

My favorite thing about Aaliyah Dana Haughton was the fact that she carried herself well. She did not succumb to the industry's standard of beauty or what an R&B singer should look or sound like. She was always confortable with herself, but was still able to change it up in order to appeal to a larger audience.

R.I.P. Aaliyah Dana Haughton (January 16, 1979-August 25, 2001)

Brett Favre Knew Exactly What He Was Doing

If I was Tarvaris Jackson, I would be SOOOOO pissed! He had the chance to be the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings but guess who decided to come out of retirement...AGAIN!!!

Brett Favre, who turns 40 this year, signed a 1-year, $12 million deal & will probably start in the 2nd pre-season game tomorrow against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What makes me mad about this situation is that this is not the 1st time that he has done this, & every time he does, it is made out of a circus. The man has played for 18 seasons & had won a Superbowl or 2 in his time. But if you are willing to put up with his "mind-games", then you must really be desperate.

The Vikings rolled out the red carpet in their pursuit of Favre, & then he lied & said that he was gonna stay retired. He said it himself that he didn't wanna do all of the preparation for the season. So why do you think that he should be able to start if you don't work at it. I don't care if you have played 18 seasons or not. If you can't put in the work, then you shouldn't be still playing, even if someone is desperate enough to sign a 40-year old who didn't do it for the last dumb team who signed him (Hey NY Jets!!!!)

Blonde Hair Won't Get Reggie Back

If you have read any of my blog posts, you can pretty much figure out that I feel some kind of way about hair.

Whether it is being shaved off, permed, or whatever...I believe that your hair is your calling card & what you do to it shows your personality. I support all hair care choices, whether I agree with it or not.

That being said, I can add Kim Kardashian to the list of female celebs who are making drastic changes to their hair for attention in my opinion. Whether it is from the tabloids or a man, they are changing it up for someone else & not so much themselves.

I actually like the blonde hair on Kim K, but I can't help but think that she is doing this to get Reggie back or something. She has always been known as a brunette & this change conveniently comes after her break-up.

If she wants him back, she has 2 options like I said before:
1) Move to New Orleans -or- 2) Break Up

By the way...Khloe K (who I LOOOOOVE) is rumored to be dating Terrance J from 106&Park (AGGIE PRIDE!!!!!) & maybe even PREGNANT!!!!! They can be seen making out on her & Kortney's (who is also pregnant with Scott's baby) show "Kortney & Khloe Take Miami" on E!...OMG!!!!!

ABDC Recap: Artistry In Motion Got Robbed...

It seems like EVERY time that there is a decent all-female dance crew, they get eliminated when another crew should have.

Artistry In Motion falls into that category after being kicked off on Sunday. Donyelle Jones was a finalist on season 2 of "So You Think You Can Dance" and she is a great choreographer & the crew that she got together was the perfect blend of sexy & substance.

But somehow I think that just because they are all female, they had a disadvantage on the show whose 2nd & 3rd season winners were basically the same as Jabbawockeez. I hope that Massive Monkees will not win for that reason because they suck.

Most of the crews this season are boring in my opinion & did not do a good job with the Beyonce' challenge, especially Southern Movement. They are just a gimmick crew who should have went home the FIRST week. But my favorite crews are VOGUE EVOLUTION & RHYTHM CITY. Of course, V.E. WENT OFF with the Beyonce' challenge & Leyomi is the truth!!!!!!

By the way...Lil' Mama gets on my nerves!!!!!!

What Else Does This Man Have To Do????

Last week, Michael Vick signed a 1-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. He will be eligible to play in the final two preseason games as well as participate in team meetings and practices.

I had been hearing on ESPN that Vick was close to signing a deal with an NFL team, and all of the commentators said that it probably would not happen. Then as I was watching the Steelers vs. Cardinals rematch game, they announced that Vick had signed with the Eagles.

I have to admit that I was shocked because I was not sure that it would happen either. I applaud the Eagles though, for taking a chance on him and at least seeing how it will turn out. However, it was almost immediate that people starting putting their 2 cents into the situation.

My opinion is simple: HE DID HIS TIME, SO LET HIM PLAY!!!!! Football is his way of life, the way that he makes a living. He spent almost 2 YEARS in jail, sitting and thinking about what he had done. He did not make any money at all and he is entitled to make money for his family (what EVERY man is supposed to do).

I do not know what else people want him to do. He is working with PETA and other animal groups and has shown remorse for the most part. I still cannot believe that people think that he should not play & that they are trippin' off of some dogs. I know that dog fighting is technically against the law, but it is not like he killed hundreds of people. Ben Rothlisberger was accused of rape and it was not like he faced charges, but the critisicm and coverage of it pailed in comparison. Also, when Manny Ramirez violated the MLB Substance Abuse Policy and was given a 50-game suspension, he was still able to work out & even play baseball for minor league teams!!!

I know that the first game that he plays in is going to be crazy and people are going to be heckling him, but if the Commissioner thinks he can play, then he should.

RHOA (S2 E2): Let's Go Make Babies

I know that I am a whole week behind & the new episode comes on tonight, but there were a few moments in the last episode that I wanted to speak on...

...but did you see my girl NeNe on "Watch What Happens Live", the after-show to RHOA??? She had me rolling on there, answering questions & taking calls from viewers. The funniest moment came @ the end when NeNe said something about Kim & she actually called in to confront NeNe!!! MUST- SEE TV!!!

First of all...LOL @ NeNe for planning an "intervention" with Sheree for Kim. I think that she had good intentions as far as to clear the air but she should have known that it would...more than likely...turn into a screaming match (I mean it is Kim & Sheree we are talking about).

Sheree seems to have found a new "friend" aka "I hang with Sheree to be on tv". I didn't catch her name but I know that she is going to start mess with my girl NeNe & she is gonna have to put her in her place (clonk).

Lisa & Ed are trying to have another baby, & she seems to think that she needs fertility treatments because she is 36 & the risk of complications are increased. My mama had a baby @ 40+ ;) (don't tell her I said that LOL) & my sister is just fine. Ed is young & I think that if they "get to gettin'", which I will discuss that in just a minute, they will be just fine.

Why does Kim have a personal assistant & designer??? Where is she going & what is she doing so extensive that she needs an assistant? I didn't know you needed a personal assistant to spend someone else's money...Meanwhile, Kandi looks @ the blog circuit (What's up girl???) & reads rumors about her relationship. She becomes upset when someone suggests that she bought her own engagement ring, which isn't too far-fetched considering her fiance' A.J. (as if that is his real name) has 6 KIDS (Count 'em...1-2-3-4-5-6!!!!!!) & apparently 6 child support payments.

Sheree' goes to the gun range with that friend I mentioned earlier. She says that she needs to protect herself because she lives alone in the woods. She does suprisingly well, & managed to strike the stomach & lungs area. Her "friend" supplies the phrase "Aint nothin' like a bitch wit' a gun" & Sheree laughs...NO COMMENT!!! Actually, I will: How are you gonna let your "friend" call you a BITCH to your face on national television & you LAUGH?!?!? No futher comment...

NeNe meets up with Kim, who I LOOOOOVE by the way, & I think that they are great together as friends. She also meets with Kim to reconcile some of the drama between them & convince her to attend the dinner to address that drama in this "love triangle". Kim agrees as long as Lisa is not present, because she is obviously still mad that Lisa called her out on her lie @ the reunion last season. NeNe makes a good point that Kim acted like she could not be friends & hang with the both of them.

Kandi goes to get her hair done before going to her mother's house, who adamantly disagrees with her engagement. Of course, she is just being a mom, but Kandi's aunts take her side & say that she must live her own life. And that is the extent of her time on the show. I still say that she is kinda BORING!!! But the song that she was writing..."It Must Be Good"...was HOT!!!! & Jazzy Phae makes a random appearance in the studio.

Lisa & Ed go to the fertility center & speak to a doctor about the pros & cons of having a baby at a certain age. I still say that they will be fine, & the more that they worry about it, the more possible it will become. Later on that night, Ed cooks dinner for her, & not just any dinner...

...a CANDLELIGHT dinner surrounded by rose petals, followed by a massage, & then a BUBBLEBATH...I wish I knew what THAT felt like :(

Then, we get to the "intervention" dinner, in which NeNe & Sheree (mostly Sheree) gang up on Kim. But it is not like she doesn't deserve it because she talked about both of them to the other...Come to think of it, they ALL did but I am in NeNe's corner so you know how that goes. They procede to act a fool in the VERY nice restaurant where Kim says Sheree has "no class", which seems to be her go-to insult. They bothe call each other all kinds of bitches & Kim tries to leave. Sheree follows, saying that she is gonna "beat her ass".

Next episode (which come on in like 30 mins):

R.I.P. Naomi Sims

I know that I am late, but I just wanted to send condolences to the family & friends of Naomi Sims, the 1st black supermodel.

What this woman did in the 60's changed the fashion industry & made it possible for Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, & all of the other black models past & present.

In addition to her modeling success, she was also a businesswoman who created a wig line in 1976 & cosmetics line in 1986. She tried to help African-American women with advice about beauty, health and career by writing several books.

She was a great example of fighting for what you believe in and making the moves necessary for change. She will be greatly missed.

R.I.P. Naomi Ruth Sims (March 30, 1948 - August 1, 2009)

My Perm Is Strictly For Maintenance Purposes

I just saw the trailer (below) to the new movie "Good Hair", in which Chris Rock searches for the real definition of the term. It should brings about a much needed discussion about the way that black women style their hair & that hair is a black woman's "crowning glory".

I have a lot of friends who have natural hair & also who have perms. In my opinion, I prefer to get my hair permed. It is not because I have been impacted by society's views or anything...it is just for simple maintenance.

If I go to the salon & get a perm & roller-set, it is easier for me to take care of my hair on a day-to-day basis if it is easy to comb through. I am not a beautician by any means, but I can at least flat-iron my hair or something in order for it to be presentable.

Now I know that there are ways to keep your hair up if it is natural & there are people who specialize in styling natural hair, but I just think that it is better for me to get a perm because it is easier to manage for me. I have friends who have cut off their hair or stopped getting perms to grow their hair out, and hey, MORE POWER TO THEM. However, in my personal opinion, I think that it is easier to maintain your hair when you have a perm. I always know whenever I need one because it is harder to comb, & it doesn't help that I am tenderheaded.