Chris Brown and the Man in the Mirror

I watching parts of the BET Awards and Chris Brown was singing Man in the Mirror as a tribute to Michael Jackson, and it was quite apparent that he couldn't sing the rest of the song. He was very emotional and starting crying on stage. It was quite obvious that the words touched him, despite the media scrutiny the next day, I know that you can't fake that kind of emotion and sincerity. It appears that the world and the music industry is ready to forgive Chris Brown for beating up Rhianna. And I agree, it's time to move on.

Of course, this opened up a conversation between Brendan and myself about Chris Brown's domestic violence sitatution. I was very frank with Brendan and explained that what Chris Brown was absolutely wrong and awful. Under no circumstances should a man ever put his hands on a woman. He deserved all the public scrutiny that came along with it. His career practically went down the toilet and his image was tarnished.

But then this led to teaching Brendan about remorse and forgiveness. We talked about making mistakes and even those of the worse kind But along with acknowledgment comes being compassionate remorseful. Now obviously, I don't know Chris Brown, I really don't listen to his music and really don't care about him personally. But I just think his situation should be a valuable lesson to all people, especially when it comes to bringing awareness about domestic violence.  Because I know first hand, what happens when domestic violence is not stopped. Hopefully, he got a good dose of humble pie! Check out the link below:

http://youtu.be/K2K3yV1nQcQ

Happy Father's Day Joe!!

I would like to tell the whole world what a wonderful father Joe is..

There's not enough words to express how much you are loved and cherished. You are a phenomenal father to Aidan and a great role model to Brendan.

You are a true an example of what a real father and a real man is...

Please know that everyday, I thank God for you...

I love and appreciate you for everything that you do and everything that you are...
Happy Father's Day Joe!!

Brendan's top 4 celebrity crush...

1. Selena Gomez

2. Jessica Alba

3. Kristin Stewart (twilight movies)

4. Kim Kardashian

5. Kirsten Dunst (when he was a little boy)

Who is your celebrity crush?

Joe's top 10 celebrity crushes...in no particular order

1. Selma Hayek

2. Nicole Scherzinger

3. Heidi Klum

4. Halle Berry

5. Kim Kardashian

6. Stacy Dash

7. Jennifer Love Hewitt

8. Lea Michele (Glee)

9. Jamie Lynn Sigler

10. Jessica Alba

Whose your top 10 celebrity crush?

My top 10 celebrity crush...

Here's my top 10 celebrity crushes:

1. David Beckham (this man does my heart good...that's why he's my #1)

2. Brad Pitt

3. Channing Tatum

4. Adam Rodriguez

5. Antonio Sabato Jr.
6. Morris Chestnut

7. Blair Underwood

8. Usher Raymond

9. Eric Bana (Troy & Hulk)

10. Gerad Butler

Channing Tatum (my new celebrity crush)

Adam Rodriquez (CSI: Miami)

Antonio Sabato Jr.

Who is your top 10 celebrity crush?

My baby is going to the seventh grade...

I'm really proud of Brendan. He's growing up right before my very eyes! He's finished with sixth grade and will moving on to the seventh. Although, we've struggled with grades and doing homework, I can't believe my son is growing up. He was talking to us sounding like Barry White and he's even taller than me (although I won't admit that to his face). He's becoming more interested in playing sports like football, basketball and baseball. Wow! Gone are the days of Spongebob and WWE.

Sometimes, I think back to the days when he was my little boy. Brendan was a great baby and a good kid. Now he's a independent preteen with a good heart. I'm just hoping that we all get through the teenage years in one piece and he grows into a good successful man.

In the meanwhile, I'm going to be there for him through thick and thin. I'm going to support him through the ups and downs. I'm going to love him through the next six years and beyond. I love you Brendan Anthony! Here's to the seventh grade bae-bae!!

I miss my girls...

Today, I'm going to write about something extremely personal. Something that I don't share with the world....but now I'm going to put my feelings out there.

Right now, at this moment, I'm incredibly sad.

I'm really sad because I miss my girls. I miss my best friend, my girlfriends, my sister and my mom. As girls, we were close and shared one common thread of  being a hodgepodge of different backgrounds and personalities. It was that hodepodge that got us all through high school in one piece.

As young ladies, we began to explore our individuality, our lives and yet, we come together to share our experiences. As women, we grew up, most of us seperated, went away to school, some of us got married, had children or just moved away.

We tried to get together to share our experiences, but the demands of our everyday lives, leaves little for us to get together and share our experiences. I also think that because we've been away so long...that we don't know each other anymore, so we tend to feel like strangers amongst each other.

Tonight as I sit here,  I wonder what is everyone doing?  How is everyone doing? How are your children and your families? I want to see you face to face and talk with you. Now I know could call, email, facebook, tweet, leave countless voicemails, whatever...

But what happened to getting together and visiting with each other?

I miss my best friend completely. I miss our friendship and our bond. We shared so much in the past and in the present. You know me better than anyone on the whole world. But we don't see each other, we don't visit...we don't share our lives... I miss you.

I miss all my dear friends from school. I know that you guys are doing well. But I wish we could get together more often and share our experiences. But we we all live cities and states apart.

I understand that because of family obligations, careers, time and money that getting together is difficult. However, we should try to make an effort to get together. I really miss you guys.

I miss my mom and sister....enough said....

After 40 years....

Yesterday, I heard that Al Gore and his wife Tipper decided to divorce after 40 years of marriage. According to Good Morning America, the Gores were high school sweethearts who married right after college. Then Al went into politics at the age of 26 and his career continued on to Vice Presidency in the 90's. Now, not knowing much about the Gores, I'm assuming that his wife decided to stay at home, raise their four children and support her husband's career.

Now that Al Gore's political career has passed, his is focused on environmental activism. He has obviously followed his passion. Then it was brought to my attention, that he was traveling a lot and hardly home because of his work. It was said that their divorce has nothing to do with any kind of extra marital affairs. If that's the case, why split up after 40 years? I mean, who wants to start over in their sixties?

But wait... maybe I'm being too judgemental. In fact, I know I'm being judegmental. Now I think I need to figure this out....

I mean, if Al Gore can follow his passion and save the world through environmental activism, then maybe it was time for Tipper to find her own passion. I heard that she's an talented photographer and an advocate for mental health issues. In addition, their children are all accomplished adults. Maybe she has own plans for her own life. Perhaps when married couple grows up and grows apart, perhaps marriage is not in the equation anymore

So maybe their divorce has nothing to do with wanting to go out and date or marry other people.

Maybe it's about being selfish. But selfish in a good way. I don't think their marriage failed. And I say this because as husband and wife, they were able to fulfill each other's need in order to accomplish their goals. But now as they approach the twilight of their lives, maybe they feel they can now explore their own passions seperately.

In the end, I hope they can maintain a relationship corgially, at least for their family's sake.

I still don't understand divorce and I'm still confused by that whole decision making process. But I can at least understand following your passion and living your life to the fullest.

http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2010/06/al-gore-wife-tipper-to-divorce/

Thanks Blanche!!

Today Rue MacClanahan died at the precious age of 76. Wow! This evening, I was watching a little tribute to her life and they were talking about the show Golden Girls. I absolutely loved the Golden Girls and "Blanche Devereaux" was my favorite my character. She was a free spirit, a southern belle and very open about her sexuality. And this was during the time when sex and the thought of older women having sex was unthinkable. But thanks to the show and these wonderful characters, I was no longer afraid of getting older. In fact, these ladies showed us that getting older can be pretty cool. They were confident, funny glorious women! Thanks to Blanche and the show, I'm looking forward to becoming a Golden Girl..RIP Blanche!!!