Happy Valentine's Day!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY BLOGGERS! In the spirit of all things love-related, we will not have a Joker of the Week poll this week. So Chris Brown, A Rod and MIA's stylist are LUCKY. D*MN LUCKY. But, I may hold their names for next week's poll though...

On a positive note, I'll give a shout out to Jennifer Hudson and Muhammed Ali. Hudson's moving musical tribute to the champ and his sad state as a result of the Parkinson's disease moved me to tears last night during the NAACP Image Awards. I thought about all that she had been through and the class and grace and sheer talent that she performed with last night in the midst of it all. It was incredibly inspiring. Kudos to Jennifer, Yolanda Ali, who gave a wonderful speech, and the entire Ali family.





Have a great weekend!


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Joker Of The Week Nods

The Joker of the Week polls are BACK folks. This week's list is actually a little tough....

1. Christian Bale - For cursing out the director of photography on the set of Terminator 4 for four minutes! While it was funny, I don't care how big of a star you are, you should not treat people that way.
2. Etta James - For her sour grapes over not singing "At Last" at the Neighborhood Ball to the first couple. She said, “You guys know your president, right?” You know the one with big ears? Yeah, wait a minute. He ain’t my president.” Classy 'till the bitter end Etta.
3. Michael Phelps - For smoking weed in front of someone with a camera and being suspended from USA swimming.
4. Tom Daschle - For knowing that he wanted to be in Obama's cabinet for MONTHS, not paying his taxes and then withdrawing from the process at the last minute.

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25 Random Things

(Smarty Jones tagged me on Facebook--I might as well kill two birds with one stone. :-)

1. I was born in Washington, D.C. at Washington Hospital Center. I'm a true D.C. native.
   
2. I've been to hip hop clubs in Rome, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Madrid, Lisbon and Albufeira. Barcelona is like the United Nations of Hip Hop. Imagine being in a club with people from every country of the world yelling "Now west side walk it oooout, now east side walk it ouuuuut." That is a wild thing to see.
   
3. I LOOOOOVE to read. When I was a kid, I used check out 20 books from the library at once (usually Sweet Valley High, Nancy Drew and Sweet Dreams), read them in two weeks and then check out 20 more. I just finished the Brief Wondrous Life of Benjamin Wao--a book about several generations of a family from the Dominican Republic. It was a great read.
   
4. I have a weird fascination with vampire culture. (Not in a sick twisted way--I guess....). But I enjoy vampire stories - movies (Underworld, Interview with a Vampire, etc.); tv (True Blood, Buffy); Books (L.A. Banks series).
   
5. I am getting married in July and either I am the most relaxed bride in history or the biggest procrastinator who doesn't understand the scope of her responsibility....
   
6. I've been to Las Vegas ten times and stayed at 7 different hotels (Circus Circus, Bellagio, Luxor, New York New York, Mandalay Bay, The Signature at the MGM Grand, & The Hilton). I usually do pretty well and actually hit the jackpots. But the last time I went, I was at The Mirage, and I hit for $300, cashed out and moved on to the next machine. Five minutes later, a middle-aged lady sat down at the machine I hit on, and hit the upper progressive for $15,000. I was disgusted. As the machine played "We're in the money" for the next 30 minutes I was almost sick. I did end up winning $1,000 that night, but my heart still hurt.
   
7. I have two brothers. My older one is a character and my younger one is super smart, about to graduate from Princeton. Yeah, I'm bragging. LOL.
   
8. I work to live, not live to work. There is a big difference.
   
9. I love movies. I think it's an extension of my love of reading. Stories--it's all stories. The latest flicks that I've taken in? Slumdog Millionaire, Gran Turino, Taken and Notorious.
   
10. We're going to Maui and Oahu for our honeymoon. I would like to leave right now.
    
11. I have a group of lawyer friends. There are 4 of us and we call ourselves The Committee. We got the name because we talk on e-mail everyday about everything, and one of the boyfriends jokingly remarked "Oh yeah, I know you have to run it by the Committee." It stuck.
    
12. I started calling people who do something stupid or something that annoys me "jokers." I even have a weekly "Joker of the Week" on my blog www.chicasinthecity.blogspot.com. Now everyone around me uses the word--my mom, my grandmother, friends. Unfortunately, I called my fiancé a joker once and my three year old nephew latched on. He subsequently called my grandmother, my mother and his father a joker; and he routinely asks me if my fiancé is still a joker? Thus, I unintentionally have gotten that kid into a lot of trouble.
    
13. Barack Obama was the first political candidate that I ever gave money to. It was money well spent.
    
14. I (gasp) like line dancing. Not necessarily the electric slide--but let the cupid shuffle come on--I'm hitting the floor!
    
15. I had a jheri curl when I was in the 5th and 6th grade. (You've probably seen the photos former classmates/new frenemies have posted on FB). At the time it seemed like a good idea... And it did make my hair grow. LOL.
    
16. I met Stanford from Sex and the City in the Hilton gift shop. The weird thing was, at first I didn't recognize him. I thought he was somebody that worked at my law firm, but then I said "Sex and the City!" He nodded and was actually pretty friendly.
    
17. I love to go to Europe because people think my friends and I are celebrities. I'm dead serious. A black American--walking around on vacation, shopping, looking fab, staying at 5 stars in Portugal or Spain? Of course we have to be famous. Psssh, I put on my big sunglasses as soon as I get to Dulles Airport just to get ready for my landing abroad. Although the staring can be annoying, particularly when you're eating, I generally enjoy the fanfare and the yells of "guapa", "bella".
    
18. I used to play soccer when I was younger, even went to a week long soccer camp when I was 14.
    
19. I was semi-kidnapped once in the Bahamas. We were staying at Atlantis on Paradise Island. I decided to venture out a couple of times by myself to clubs in Nassau. Saturday night--went out, had a good time. Sunday when I went out--the club that I wanted to go to was closed. I told the cab driver he could just take me home. He said no--He had a place that he could take me. He proceeded to drop off another passenger and then took me to a dancehall in the hood. I was like "CRAP"--although it was not crap. He said I didn't have to pay, "he just wanted to party with me." I'm not against cabbies, but he wasn't even hot. I went in the dancehall---did not see one other tourist--realized I could be stabbed up and through there, and rolled out. I got a guy to hail me another cab (miraculously) and just as I was about to flee the scene, the cab driver (having parked a mile away and walked back to the club to meet me), stopped me from closing the door and said, "what happened?" I said, "It was just not my scene." Then I closed the door. I think if he could have slapped me, he would have. LOL. I took my butt back to Atlantis and shot craps that night. During the ride home, my new cab driver said he loved me, the toll ticket guy said I was beautiful, and as I was walking back towards the hotel entrance, another cabbie, grabbed me, looked at my chest and said he'd like to give me the royal treatment. Only in the Caribbean man! HA!
    
20. When I was in Key West for a wedding, I ended up going to a clothing optional club--I can't remember the name of it--but I know the rooftop was called the Garden of Eden. Oddly, only people who should remain in their clothes at all time chose to disrobe. It was NASTY. One guy actually came up to me and was talking to me, asking questions, like he wasn't butt naked!
    
21. Sometimes I get sucked into watching stupid reality shows when they run a marathon. (i.e. From Gs to Gents and I love New York). It's a source of shame.
    
22. I've driven to work for the last 7 years. But now, the parking lot at my building is so small, I just don't want to risk dents in the car. So, in March, I'm thinking about getting back on the subway. The problem is, I hate people. Well, I guess hate is a strong word. All of the crowds, the pushing to get on the train, people standing over me if I'm lucky enough to get a seat. What a nuisance. I like the quiet comfort of my own vehicle. (SIGH). I need to pray on it.
    
23. I think my mother is the best mother in the world. Ever. In the history of motherhood. Dramatical? Yes. True? YES!
    
24. I've known my best friend for almost 26 years. Knowing anyone for that long makes me feel old.
    
25. I am a fan of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. I even read The Rock Says. In my defense, it was Christmas present.

Batman Going Off!

Soooo, remember when Christian Bale's mom and sister accused him of attacking them? Uuuuh, maybe they were telling the truth. Bale may have some serious anger issues. He went OFF on the director of photography on the set of the new Terminator movie. And I do mean OFF. The director apparently walked behind someone during a scene and Bale went ballistic. On the one hand, I feel bad for the director of photography. On the other hand--HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! It was almost like a scene from a movie. If you have not heard it, take a listen.

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Joker of the Week

I know I said I was nominating Rod the loser, but I have to give this week's title to Lil' Kim. (Polls will return next week). In any event, Grown Woman alerted me to the fact that Lil' Kim is apparently distraught about her portrayal as a jump off in the movie Notorious. Apparently, she also complained about the actress who played her and claimed that she was "too dark." She allegedly wanted Christina Milian to play her. Pause. Think about it. Guffaw. Yes it ridiculous, laughable and sad all at the same time.

Biggie's mom said, “Do you know why the character was too dark for her? Because she’s a white woman trapped in a black woman’s body, and you can tell the world I said it, because those are Lil’ Kim’s words. She should be ashamed of herself...Tell Lil’ Kim to go find herself, go drink a cup of green tea and get a life! This movie is not about Lil’ Kim. She felt we used her character to promote [but] this movie is about my son. … Lil’ Kim needs to go sit down.”

Ha! I have to say Mama Wallace is right. The movie was about Biggie's life--everyone else was a side character. On who played her, Ms. Naturi Naughton is roughly Lil Kim's old complexion and petite. Ms. Kim does not look a darn thing like Milian. But you be the judge....

She needs therapy, the Lord and some unconditional love.

HONORABLE MENTION: Traveldiva. Yeah, I'm giving myself a nod. Michelle Obama was having lunch at Georgia Brown's, the restaurant right outside my building. I actually saw crowds of people excited about something, but I thought it was some kind of protest, so I was like, just move so I can eat my Cosi salad. DARN IT! I could have gotten a pic!

Pic Source - Milian, Lil Kim, Comparisons

Early Joker Nod

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is a real piece of work. He's on tape saying all kinds of horrible, illegal things and he has the absolute nerve to act like he is a victim. Now this bozo had the audacity to compare himself to Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King --other public figures wrongly persecuted. Seriously Rod? Seriously? You attempting to secure a cushy job for your wife is equivalent to Mandela in prison for over 20 years? You attempting to sell a senate seat for your own personal gain is equivalent to MLK marching, being threatened, jailed and ultimately killed for his civil rights work? Give me and the people of Illinois a serious break.

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Inauguration Pics

Hey guys, I'm still tired. I'll give a recap soon, but here are some pics!

INAUGURATION WEEKEND IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FINALLY! I am soooooo excited. There is so much happening in D.C. this weekend that I just can't STAND IT! I know most locals are staying home because of the hassle. But I cannot be around the corner from history and not try to participate. I'll report back on the haps! Tomorrow, I'm hitting Ibiza for Vibe's Icons Ball with Mary J. Blige and Common; Sunday, I'm headed to a gospel concert at my church (oddly hosted by Vivica Fox) featuring Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Tye Tribbet, Marvin Sapp, etc.; and Tuesday, I'll be headed downtown for the swearing-in and possibly staying for the parade. WOOOOHOOO!

And who knows what else I'll do as the city is jumping with activities! I'm contemplating going to the opening events on Sunday, but I don't want to get stuck downtown and not be able to make my evening concert. I briefly contemplated going to see Jigga at the Warner Theater, but tickets were $500 each. I'd like an evening with Jay Z, but unless that includes a limo ride, dinner with him and Beyonce, two dozen roses and a personal concert--it's not really worth all of that.

Happy four day weekend!!!

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Hot New Blog

Hola Bloggers!

I had to post about two fantastic new travel blogs by TriniDiva. One is http://itravelforfun.blogspot.com/ and the other is http://mypostcardsfromaroundtheworld.blogspot.com/. These sites include hilarious recaps of TriniDiva's travels, pictures, great travel tips and other great information. I can vouch for Trini because I have travelled extensively with her, and I can tell you that in addition to great sights, there is always some craziness. I'll give you an example:

In 2006, Trini, Lily and I were in Rome over Thanksgiving. One Saturday night we were hanging out in Campo De Fiori, a little square full of bars, restaurants, etc. where people go to chill, drink and people watch. We had had a great time--met lots of attractive italian men, met some random folks from other countries, etc. Around 4 or 5 am, we were talking to three guys and just chillin' when a couple of women came up to me and said, "Oh My God! We know you, you are a singer!" I was like, "Umm, no, no I'm not." And they said, "Yes, Yes we know you!" Just as I was about to deny it again, my friend Lily leaned over and said, "Ssssh, we're on vacanza." And then they laughed and squealed and said, "We knew it! We LOVE you. Please sing something for us." Now, I knew that if I broke out into song, the jig would definitely be up. So I said, "I'm sorry, I don't sing when I'm on holiday." HAAA! They then begged and asked me to please sing something for them. I told them I wouldn't sing, but I'd take a picture with them. They were elated and jumped right in for a photo. (See below). As I said goodbye to my fans, they blew me kisses and said, "We love you sooo much. We love you." Now, to this day, I have NO CLUE who the h*ll they thought I was. But when they rounded the corner, Lily, TriniDiva and I literally collapsed in one of those fits of laughter that literally caused stomach pain, tears and had us leaning on a wall for support.

I said all of that to say, our travels never have a dull moment and TriniDiva's new blogs will definitely bring a smile to your face and get you ready to hop on a plane. So take a read.

Joker of the Year Award Winners

Thanks to all who voted and to those of you who just wrote "LOL". I'm guessing the categories were just too tough to decide. LOL. Here are the results:



1. Right Wing Republican You Most Want To Slap Into Next Week (If it wouldn't result in you landing in Guantanamo Bay....) Award - Sarah Palin

2. Bonehead Politician Award - Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick

3. S/He Said What? Award - Bob Johnson

4. Entertainer Who Shows That You Can Pay For School But You Can't Buy Class Award -Papoose

5. Person Who Wishes The Most That He Or She NEVER Heard The Name Barack Obama - Jesse Jackson, Sr.

6. WTH? Moment Award - No winner - Joe the plumber, gas prices, stock market crash and Jesse's on mic comments all tied.



7. JOKERS OF THE YEAR - McCain/Palin.



And now it begins all over again....I hear Charles "DUI" Barkley is looking for a nod...