Monday, January 31, 2011

I'm Better Than You

 What's our fixation with being better than everyone else?
Isn't it better just to be ones best self?
 I come from a family which has been free since long before the beginning on the Civil War.
The lighter skinned Black children of slave owners in Louisiana were often given educations and the rights and ownership of property.
My Families have donated land for churches and schools for their communities.
As someone recently said to me, "You have a good name."
But I am not my name.
I am not defined by what those who came before me did or did not do.
I am not defined by membership in any group or organization.

But many members of my family think that they are better than those around them.
My grandmother was member of the first class to integrate the nursing program of a local university.
But the thing I could never stand was her constant need to become a member of some 'exclusive' group.
Why join a sorority which is just an imitation of that which you claim to despise?
The thing I could not understand was that most of these groups were founded to exclude others because those founding these groups were excluded from joining the parallel white groups.
 If I have to sit through another affectational cotillion which favors light skinned Blacks over the darker ones I'm through.
 If I have to listen to the 'Sisters' of my grandmother, aunts and cousins tell me how 'important' the Eastern Stars are I'm joining the Klan.
 If I have to listen to another pitch from the 'brothers' of my grandfather, uncles or cousins in the Prince Hall Masons or Knights of Peter Claver for membership I'm leaving town.
 If I have to hear someone brag about membership in Jack and Jill I'm moving to the hood.
Hint: If you need classes to learn the social mores of a certain class, chances are that you are not a member of that class.

Sure, sometimes I'll use these connections when it suits me.
Like Paul in the Bible stressing his Roman citizenship when it suited him, I'll mention my family ties to get people to just shut the eff up.
But most people in the South still think we are living in the Antebellum South.
Many of the traditions here go back hundreds of years.
Most ways of thinking are still those of centuries past.
When I tell someone that they are not limited to the thinking of others, "That's because you're light", or "have good hair", or "come from a good family", most say.
But shouldn't this carry even more weight?
If I was poor, dark, had bebees and was actually ugly - wouldn't those hearing this think that I was only saying that these traits didn't matter because I didn't have those traits often thought to be superior?

Look, people are going to be treated as being inferior as long as they think that they are inferior.
People are going to settle for less as long as they think that's all they deserve.
Until people begin to exercise their free will and exert their personal responsibility/authority they will always be subjugated by another group.
People are going to chase status until they realize that the trick is to let those who have status seek them.
People remain in the hood for generation after generation because many believe that that is where they belong.

Your Value

Even the government recognizes what you know or what you do as being of value.
Even when no real money is exchanged when bartering for services - one may still be liable for taxes.
Insurance companies attempt to calculate what one might have earned if they would have continued to produce when trying to figure out ones Human Life Value.
Judges often weigh the social impact (education, volunteer work, membership in churches or philanthropic organizations, etc.) of a person when handing out sentences.
When one dies, what he'd done for others is mentioned more often than what he owned.

But most people value themselves by what they have and not by who they are.
In my younger years - my status was my identity.
When describing me, the description of my material goods or social status was all that people would mention.
But who wants to be defined by what they own?
Isn't that limiting?

As an test of my character I gave everything away.
I wanted to know if my generosity was just given from my abundance or whether it was part of my substance.
I wanted to know whether I was good or just lucky.
I wanted to do well but not at the expense of others.
I wanted to know whether I was of any real value beyond that of which I owned.

As of now, I'm still not sure.
Most of my attempts at helping others have failed.
Most of the money given away has been wasted.
Most of the time spent trying to teach others could have been spent doing more for myself.
I think that by helping others I've increased my self worth but diminished that of others who are now even more dependant.

Nappy Headed Ho's

 Most people were not offended when jokes were made about how ugly the Celtics' teams were from the 80's.
Sure, they won games but they were easy fodder for comedians and commentators.
The jokes are always funny when they are not about you.
The2007 Rutgers women's team cleaned up for this photo - but none of these women would stop traffic for being good looking.
When Don Imus noted that these were some "Nappy Heaed Ho's" - much of the Blackosphere was up in arms.

I walked by as a group of women were watching a recent women's basketball game.
As I noted that one of the girls playing basketball was kind of cute - all the women agreed.
As I noted that most of the others were kind of rough looking - most of these women became angry.
"You were probably mad when Imus called the women from Rutgers "Nappy Headed Ho's", I said.
This set of a maelstrom from these ladies.
"That was 'racist'", they all said.
"Why? They were all kind of rough.", I said.
"But it wasn't his place to say that.", they said.
"Why? He talks about current events.", I said.

As I brought back the jokes made about the Celtics from the 80's - most of these women agreed that that was an ugly team.
"That's because you don't identify as being one of them." I said.
"You see yourselves as being "Nappy Headed Ho's.", I continued.
"All those aspirational brands, all that makeup, all those weaves and perms, all that bling and being able to dive better cars and live in better neighborhoods does not mask the fact that you are trying to hide your own lack of self worth.", I finished.

These women are still mad at me.

Dreaming of Darling Dimples?

Sure, Shirley Temple was adorable with her dimples, but would you go under the knife for a pair of newly dimpled cheeks?  Dimpleplasty is a new cosmetic procedure plastic surgeons invented to satisfy the growing popularity of those requesting dimples like actress Jen Garner and Victoria’s Secret model Miranda Kerr.

Dimpleplasty is a one-time, simple procedure that will allow you to have the dimples you’ve been dreaming of.  The procedure involves a tiny incision inside of the cheek to create a small indention.  The doctor uses a dissolvable suture to pull the underside of your cheek to a deeper layer of the skin to create the dimple.   After the suture dissolves, the scar tissue is supposed to hold the dimple permanently in place.

This is a relatively new technique and it is too soon for any long-term studies to prove it’s effectiveness or results.  Over time, the appearance of these man-made dimples may disappear or change as the face looses elasticity and begins to droop. 

It is important to be cautious and do your research when dabbling in new cosmetic surgeries. You’ll want to be sure to put yourself in the good hands of a Board Certified Clastic Surgeon.

Though we do not currently offer “dimpleplasty” at Aesthetic Enhancements, we do offer a variety of other procedures that will be sure to keep you smiling!  Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Armando Soto, performs an array of cosmetic procedures from the Mommy Makeover to a Brazilian Butt Lift that will have you looking and feeling your best! 

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Status?

 I'm not really a big fan of Ralph Lauren's Polo line - it seems a bit too pretentious for me.
But I do wear the plain sweatshirts if there is a chance that I'll get dirty or wet.
I have some friends who always invite me out on their boats.
I'm not into yachting but I seem to have the right clothes for it.
 While wearing an old shirt from school, everyone seemed to want to know where I got my old WMYC gear from.
Going to school on Oahu, Lahaina was just a short flight away.
On another occasion, I wore an old sweatshirt from an old America's cup race which is signed by Dennis Conner.
(The parents of an ex got them for me from a charity fund raiser back-in-the-day.)
The old guys at the local yacht club knew exactly who the guy was.
From wearing these old nondescript items I've managed quite a few invites to lunches, dinners and parties.
Who knew that casually wearing old clothes was an easy ticket to some of our local inner circles?

Good Choice

 There is more than one way to do anything - sometimes either choice would be fine.
 Either Megan Fox or Meagan Good?
 Either Wong Kar Wai,
Or Akira Kurosawa.
Sometimes it just come down to ones personal preferences.

Extended Childhood

 Yeah, Kim is baad - but I'm not keeping up with anyone on television.
I've got things to do.
 But why do so many fixate on the lives of those they don't even know.
 Of those they'll probably never even meet?
 On the lives of those which have no impact on their own lives?
Isn't this what children do?
Don't adults have real concerns?
 But while most Americans are focused on pop-culture - the world has real problems with which to deal.
 From Lebanon, to Tunisia to
Egypt.
Adults don't wish to be lulled into an extended childhood and told what to do, what to think, or how to act for their entire lives.

Why do the media continue to produce reality television?
To keep the population under control like children.
If we were forced to think and do for ourselves - maybe America would become just as volatile.
If we were forced to become responsible for our own well being - maybe we would not put so much faith in our failing institutions and beliefs.
If we were forced to learn and grow - maybe our eyes would be opened.
Maybe we would actually become conscious.

Nigga' Please

 Called a "Nigger".
 Called a "Nigger".
 Called a "Nigger".
Called themselves "Nigga's".

The only Negroes offended by the word "Nigga'" are those who still think of themselves as being Niggers.
Those who still think that they have something to prove.
Those who still feel inferior and feel as though, in reality, they are not even close to being good enough.
Those who use self-aggrandizing titles or names to prove their worth.
Those who bought into the belief that having more material goods is more important than having good character.
Those who only wish to be accepted by those they pretend to hate (When in reality all they do is emulate those same people.).
Those who are not really mad at an oppressive system - only that they are the ones being oppressed by said system.
But what do you think of when someone calls you a "Nigga'"?
What about a "Nigger"?
What do you think when you call someone else a "Nigga'"?
What about when you call someone else a "Nigger"?

If thinking that the actions of another are somehow 'seeting us back 100 years' - maybe your way of thinking is still 100 years in the past.

That's Offensive?

 The dude is just using what he has to get what he wants - what's wrong with that?
His logo is just a caricature of himself made to resemble the Colonel's logo - how is this a reflection of Black people as a whole?
 Are Irish-Americans upset because Notre Dame uses the short, fighting image which continues the stereotype of the Irish?
 Do all whites feel as though they are pirates or rough because Oakland uses such an image as their mascot?
 Or do they feel like Tampa Bay's old gay version of a pirate?
 I'm a fan of UNLV - but their Yosemite Sam-like logo portrays whites as buffoonish.
 Do white people view themselves as pale, poorly dressed, Ginger, clowns?
Look, Flav works the place, Flav owns the place - the man is just trying to make a living.

Deborah Caprioglio

Debora Caprioglio (born 3 May 1968) is an Italian actress. Internationally, she is best known for playing the title character in the 1991 film Paprika by Tinto Brass and for having been married to Klaus Kinski (1987–1989). In 2007 she took part at the Italian version of the reality show Celebrity Survivor (L'isola dei famosi).

Deborah Caprioglio beautiful pose

Deborah Caprioglio cute pose

Deborah Caprioglio looks beautiful with her accessories

Deborah Caprioglio hot pose

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Deborah Caprioglio beautiful eyes

Deborah Caprioglio smile

Jennifer Connelly

Jennifer Lynn Connelly (born December 12, 1970) is an American film actress and former child model. She made her motion picture debut in the 1984 crime film Once Upon a Time in America. Although starring as early as a teenager in films such as Labyrinth and Career Opportunities, she gained critical acclaim following her work in the 1998 science fiction film Dark City and the 2000 drama Requiem for a Dream. In 2002, Connelly won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, as well as the BAFTA and Golden Globe awards for the 2001 biopic A Beautiful Mind. Other film appearances include the 2003 Marvel superhero film Hulk, the 2005 thriller drama Dark Water, Blood Diamond, The Day the Earth Stood Still and the romantic comedy He's Just Not That Into You.Since 2005, Connelly has served as Amnesty International Ambassador for Human Rights Education for the United States. During her career, various magazines, including Time, Vanity Fair, and Esquire have named her on their lists of the most beautiful women.

Connelly was born in the Catskill Mountains of New York state, the daughter of Ilene, an antiques dealer, and Gerard Connelly, a clothing manufacturer. Her father was Roman Catholic, and of Irish and Norwegian descent; her mother was Jewish, a descendant of emigrants from Russia and Poland, and was schooled in a yeshiva. Connelly was raised in Brooklyn Heights, near the Brooklyn Bridge, and attended St. Ann's private school, except for the four years the family spent living in Woodstock, New York.One of her father's friends was an advertising executive, who suggested that she should audition in order to become a child model. She received the representation from the Ford modeling agency. At the age of ten, Connelly's career started in newspaper and magazine ads, then moved to television commercials. In 1984, she appeared in Duran Duran's concept concert video Arena (An Absurd Notion). From 1986 to 1992, she appeared in several issues of the Seventeen Magazine as well as in Japanese magazine "Roadshow" and on December 1986, recorded the pop single “Monologue of Love” singing in phonetic Japanese. All these appearances led to movie auditions and her first film role was as Deborah Gelly, a supporting role in Sergio Leone's 1984 gangster epic, Once Upon a Time in America, filmed mostly in 1982 when she was eleven. She next starred in Italian horror-director Dario Argento's 1985 film Phenomena in the coming-of-age movie Seven Minutes in Heaven. Balancing work and school, she enrolled at Yale University where she studied English and Drama for the two following years, before transferring to Stanford University to train in classical Theater and improvisation with Roy London, Howard Fine, and Harold Guskin. She did not graduate.


Connelly became a star with her next picture, the 1986 fantasy film Labyrinth. She played Sarah, a teenager on the quest to rescue her little brother Toby, from goblin's world, ruled by King Jareth, portrayed by David Bowie. The film disappointed at the box office, but became a cult classic in later years with a large fan base still in existence. She starred as Jennifer Corvino in Phenomena under the direction from Italian giallo master Dario Argento. Connelly starred in several obscure films, such as the 1988 Etoile, which was never released in the United States, one of the less successful in her career, and the Michael Hoffman-directed Some Girls, in which she portrayed the college student Gabby. In the 1990 Dennis Hopper-directed The Hot Spot, she played Gloria Harper, a woman blackmailed by Frank Sutton, portrayed by William Sadler. The movie was a box office failure. Her next movie was the 1991 romantic comedy Career Opportunities, in which she starred along with Frank Whaley. The big-budget Disney film The Rocketeer failed to ignite her career; this resulted in a temporary break in Connelly's acting work. The next year, she appeared alongside Jason Priestley in the Roy Orbison music video for "I Drove All Night". It wasn't until the middle of the 1990s that she started to demonstrate her ability to handle more mature roles. The 1996 independent film Far Harbor played a role very different from the types she had previously portrayed and hinted at a much broader range than she had previously shown. Connelly began to appear in smaller but well-regarded films, such as 1997's drama Inventing the Abbotts, and 2000's Waking the Dead. In the first one, set in the late 1950s, she personified Eleanor, one of the three daughters of the town millionaire Lloyd Abbot, while in the second, based on the 1986 novel of the same name, her character was Sarah. She played a collegiate lesbian in John Singleton's 1995 ensemble drama, Higher Learning. The critically favored 1998 science fiction film Dark City, in which she played a supporting role and afforded her the chance to work with such actors as Rufus Sewell, William Hurt, Ian Richardson, and Kiefer Sutherland. Connelly revisited her ingenue image, although in a more understated way, for the 2000 biopic Pollock, in which she played Jackson Pollock's mistress. The same year she portrayed the role of Catherine Miller, Connelly's first Television appearance, in the FOX drama series The $treet about a brokerage house in New York City.

In 2008 she appeared alongside Keanu Reeves in the 2008 remake of the 1951 science fiction film The Day The Earth Stood Still. Connelly, a fan of the original movie, played the Princeton University astrobiologist Dr. Helen Benson. Unlike the original movie, where her character was a secretary and the focus of the movie was balanced in her romantic relationship with Klaatu, the remake emphasizes on the troubled relationship between her and her stepson portrayed by Jaden Smith. The astronomer Seth Shostak prepared her in order to understand the scientific jargon of the character. She also co-starred in a role opposite Jennifer Aniston and Ginnifer Goodwin in the 2008 romantic comedy He's Just Not That Into You, based on self-help book of the same name, where she played Janine. Her next work was a small role in the fantasy film Inkheart. Her 2009 roles included the costume drama biopic Creation, in which she personified Emma Darwin, wife of Charles Darwin, played by her real-life husband, Paul Bettany. The movie took place during the writing of On the Origin of Species by Dr. Darwin and the struggle along with his religious wife, Emma, who opposed the theories while they were in deep grief for the passing of their daughter Annie. The same year she voiced 7, in the animation film 9.

Jennifer Connelly beautiful pose with straight hairstyle

Jennifer Connelly cool pose

Jennifer Connelly sexy pose

Jennifer Connelly and her family