EVERYBODY TUNE IN!!!

Watch Malcolm In The Middle this coming Sunday, April 2nd, 7pm EST. My friend Ryan Raftery (you can see his name listed here <=== in the online TV listings) will be guest starring in a HILARIOUS role presented as only he could play it. Ryan is exceptionally talented and my partner-in-crime when it comes to dancing it up and performing like maniacs in the clubs. Seriously, we are hilarious together. What up baby!!!

Oh, and after you view the episode, and naturally begin to love Ryan, start spreading the word and tell every casting agent you know (if you know any, or know anyone who knows any) to cast Ryan in EVERYTHING!!! :)

No Comment

The Greatest Problem Of All

(click on pic to enlarge)

ARTICLES:

The Sun

NY Daily News

Wow. I truly hope that this is not as true as they are implying. I know there are folks out there who will automatically dismiss it under the pretense that the story was sold to The National Enquirer but you should know that the line about "everything in the tabloids being false" is only sold by THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CAUGHT OUT THERE BY THE TABLOIDS AND WANT TO BRAINWASH YOU INTO BELIEVING THAT ALL OF THEIR STORIES SHOULD BE LAUGHED AT. Seriously.

I will not say that everything they publish is true. That's not the case with any publication, newspaper, magazine, website, or memoir (what's up James!). However, it is not all false either. If you think back, a lot of the stories that are broken in the Star, or The National Enquirer are just broken first because they are paying friends and colleagues to become turncoats and rat our their famous buddies.

Pay attention and approximately one month later, you will start to hear murmurings on the street about the possibility of some of the points in that "tabloid" article actually having an ounce of truth in them, and then *boom* it's on the front page of US Weekly and People and then the NY Daily News and NY Post follow a week or so after that and then the local morning news shows talk about it a week after that and then UPN 9 news picks it up about two months after that. ;)

Anyway, back to Whitney. SOOOOOOOOOOOO sad. What's especially troubling about this is that Bobby is now the normal one. I KNOW he is sitting at home watching the Damien Marley "Beautiful" video while rehearsing for his Essence Music Festival performance with New Edition while negotiating the terms of his 2nd season contract for his reality show "Being Bobby Brown" with Bravo mumbling out of his cockeyed jaw over and over again "I told y'all so".

It's interesting that a story already came out a few weeks ago about Bravo asking for a 2nd season of his show and that Bobby's people told them they were interested but that this time around it would only focus on Bobby and his kids. Mmmm...

If this sister-in-law woman is just a crackhead herself looking for more money to score more rock, then SHAME IT ALL ON HER. But considering Whitney's track record in the past 5-10 years (YES, it's been that long), things aren't really looking so rosy for her in this argument.

Wow. I REALLY hope this woman gets some help soon. Otherwise, I fear her and Pete Doherty announcing they are a couple is not that far behind.

Britney Spears "Will & Grace" Fans With Her Comedic Charm

Brit was great on Will & Grace. She was! I always knew that girl had talent
(even though she has bad taste in men post-Just-would like him to be my man-in Timberlake). If you didn't get to catch the episode, try to catch it on a repeat.

On that note, many pop female recording artists have guest starred on "Will & Grace" (in addition to a million others who aren't necessarily pop female recording artists) and they are usually pretty darn good on it. Janet Jackson was OK auditioning Jack as a potential back-up dancer but Madonna was GREAT as Karen's roommate. She totally stepped out of her typical behavior and did the whole "office manager for a record label" to hilarious perfection. But I think Jennifer Lopez was the most surprisingly funny performing at Karen's wedding and I usually don't think she's talented at anything but dancing and looking pretty with her makeup and hair done by the best in the biz. If you are interested, you can watch the episode with J.Low here:

Jennifer Lopez on Will & Grace

I Take That Back, Even The Inmates Are Scared Of Her

I did you all the favor of persuing the various articles on Nutso Naomi and condensing my favorite parts right her on The Wonderful World of Miss TLC (I'm SUCH a timesaver!):


From the NY Daily News...Link to "Maid Says Beauty Turns Attack Beast By Alison Gendar, Tony Sclafani, Ben Widdicombe and Robert F. Moore:


"You f------ b----!" the cantankerous catwalker shrieked yesterday inside her Park Ave. penthouse apartment, accusing her maid, Ana Scolavino, of stealing a pair of $200 Chip & Pepper jeans, sources said.


*** MISS TLC SAYS: $200 jeans??? Even I wouldn't hit anyone over missing $200 jeans......$2000 jeans maybe, but $200? Naomi, that's pocket change to you! Then again, I am not a Chip and Pepper girl so maybe I just don't get it. (If anyone out there is reading from Seven For All Mankind - YOU are my numero uno jean choice so feel free to send me some promotional items in exchange for this very lovely shoutout - size 27...Thanks!) ***


Judge Richard Weinberg issued an order of protection against Campbell and released her on her own recognizance. He also allowed her to keep her passport so she could leave today on a scheduled charity trip to South Africa with Nelson Mandela.

"Surrendering her passport would not only be unfair to her but unfair to the children of South Africa," her lawyer, David Breitbart, said.


*** MISS TLC SAYS: Well that all depends, do the South African kids like Chip & Pepper jeans? ;) ***


From the NY Post...Link to NY Post article "Crazed" By Brigitte Stelzer, Larry Celona, Heidi Singer and Dan Mangan:


Earlier, Scolavino scoffed at the idea she would have stolen clothes from the super-skinny supermodel.

"Do I look like I'd fit in her jeans?" the plump, short woman derisively asked.


*** MISS TLC SAYS: Good one housekeeper! ***


Shortly before the incident, a crew from Oprah Winfrey's production company had set up in Campbell's apartment, where they were planning to tape the model for an upcoming broadcast.

A production spokeswoman said that crew members were out of the apartment when the alleged attack occurred and that Winfrey was not scheduled to go to the residence.


*** MISS TLC SAYS: Thank heavens. Oprah's been through enough this year between the James Frey and Tom Cruise incidents. ***


Past incidents of violence involving Campbell include:

* July 31, 2005 - She was accused of attacking and bloodying a friend, Italian actress Yvonne Scio, during an argument in Rome over clothes they were wearing.

* Nov. 9, 2004 - She allegedly attacked gofer Amie Castaldo by head-butting her, biting her on the lip and pulling her hair in the model's Park Avenue apartment.

* Sept. 15, 2001 - The supermodel allegedly put a beating on personal assistant Simone Craig, who accused Campbell of holding her hostage, hitting her in the arm and face, and throwing a phone at her in a Beverly Hills hotel.

* September 1998 - Campbell's secretary Georgina Galinas accused her of hitting her with a telephone and threatening to toss her out of a car while they were on a Toronto highway.


*** MISS TLC SAYS: Not good. ***


From CNN.com...Link to CNN article:


The model's lawyer, David Breitbart, said the maid had been working for Campbell for two to three months and was being fired because several items were missing from the house. "When this happened this morning, all hell broke loose," he said.


*** MISS TLC SAYS: You sure you want to put it that way? ***


Long-lost cousins perhaps?



Holla on the comments if you have something to say about this whole mess.

Can We Just Make Room For Her In Kim's Cell Already?

Um, yeah. That's a picture of Naomi Campbell getting arrested this afternoon in NYC.



You know where this is going.








The following was taken from E! Online:

Naomi Campbell Busted for Housecleaning
by Joal Ryan
Mar 30, 2006, 11:30 AM PT

Another dull staff meeting at Naomi Campbell's...

The supermodel, twice before accused of striking employees with telephones, was arrested Thursday at her New York City home for the alleged assault of a housekeeper whom Campbell said she'd fired hours earlier.

Campbell, 35, was taken into custody at 11:30 a.m. (ET), and booked on second-degree assault, New York City Police spokesman Lieutenant Gene White said. The professional poser could be arraigned in court as soon as the afternoon.

The unidentified housekeeper, a 41-year-old woman, was treated at Lenox Hill Hospital for lacerations to the head, White said.

At 8:30 a.m., according to police, the woman was struck in the back of the head "by an object" at Campbell's residence. The woman left the home, and went to the hospital for treatment. The hospital alerted police to the purported assault.

When asked if the offending "object" was a telephone, White said he didn't know. An Associated Press report cited police as saying a telephone had been used in the alleged attack.

Campbell, wearing sunglasses, boots, pants and a smock, did not resist arrest, White said. "She's a tiny little thing," he said. "She's not going to give two NYPD detectives any trouble."

Per Campbell's camp, it is the globetrotting model who was the victimized party.

"We believe this is a case of retaliation, because Naomi had fired her housekeeper earlier this morning," a statement from Campbell's publicist said. "We are confident the courts will see it the same way."

In 2000, Campbell pleaded guilty to hitting a personal assistant, Georgina Galani, over the head with a telephone. Three years later, she was sued by an administrative assistant, Simone Craig, who claimed Campbell threw her around, threw a telephone at her, and held her captive.

In a 2004 TV interview, Campbell admitted to having once been addicted to a "speedy drug" that she confirmed was "like cocaine."

# # #

No Comment

I'm Saving Y'all The Time

I know a lot of you out there watched "Flavor Of Love" (heck, it was one of my favorite shows this year) HOWEVER we all know that it was trash. It was just like a train wreck that you couldn't turn away from even if you tried. Well on that note, the reunion special entitled "Flavor Of Love: After The Lovin" airs this weekend and TMZ.com obtained an exclusive clip which contains the main scene that everybody would tune in for anyway. Check it out here: New York & Pumpkin Reunite

Maybe They Should Have Named Him Donna Instead?

I know this is old news but when I saw this very funny take on the new Martin baby's proposed name, I had to post it. I just thought it might make you all chuckle as well!...

From Us Magazine Online:

Gwyneth Paltrow’s Fetus to Get Ass Kicked on Playground In Six Years

Comedian Ross Mathews — best known as Ross the Intern from The Tonight Show with Jay Leno — got pal Gwyneth Paltrow to take an 11-question pop quiz for his blog at rossmathews.net. In one of her answers, currently preggers Paltrow admitted that she and husband Chris Martin will name their baby Mortimer if it’s a boy. According to the New York Post, the name comes from Paltrow’s godfather, director Steven Spielberg, who Paltrow has nicknamed “Uncle Morty.”

So to recap: After giving daughter Apple Martin a name one vowel short of being a popular cocktail, they’re naming their son Morty Martin, which sounds like he should be juggling flaming cats on a vaudeville stage.

# # #

I am all about the funnies but I am NOT about people seriously dogging my Martins. :) I think Gwynnie's fantastic and sweet and Chris is excessively talented with his band Coldplay. On that note, I went to see them on Monday night at Nassau Coliseum and I must say I was blown away. I love love love their CDs but every time I've seen them perform on awards shows and the like, Chris kinda sang off-key and they were kinda boring. So I was honestly expecting them to give me like a 7 and they ended up giving me a 15. For real. This was the setlist in case anyone's interested:

Square One
Politik
Yellow
Speed Of Sound
God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
What If
Don't Panic
White Shadows
The Scientist

*clothes change*
Till Kingdom Come (Johnny Cash tribute)
Ring Of Fire (Johnny Cash cover)
Trouble
Clocks
Talk

*encore*
Swallowed In The Sea
In My Place
Fix You

And in addition to them playing kick-ass songs, Chris sounded BETTER than on CD and was SOOOO funny and personable. His dancing and his banter with the fans was great and so appreciated. And the lighting WAS OUTSTANDING. Whoever does their effects should be given a bonus (honestly, contact me and I'll try to negotiate something for you!). Their opening was hot ta death and the subsequent effects they used were cool, different, and engaging. Right Chris?



Right Miss TLC!!! (This was an actual pic of him taken by me that night on my camera phone. Sorry it's a bit blurry but he was dancing all over the place!)

Tucker Tuckered Out

16-year old Lisa Tucker was voted off American Idol last night and I will personally fight anyone who says that "America made the wrong choice this time". Lisa is talented, no doubt. Lisa is cute, no doubt. Lisa is friendly and has a successful career ahead of her, no doubt. But did Lisa ever sing well during her three performances on the live Top 12 shows? NOOOOOO!!! In fact, Lisa has personally ruined Kelly Clarkson's "Because Of You" for me with her totally off-key/nasal/screeching performance of it that I had to hear 17,000 times this morning on all the local news shows. And I LOVE me some Kelly Clarkson.

I'm a BIG American Idol fan and I am also a BIG Simon Cowell fan. Randy is musically adept so he sometimes makes constructively critical comments to the contestants but Simon is the only one who really "tells it like it is". As a matter of fact, I was FURIOUS with him for not abusing Katharine McPhee's TRULY AWFUL rendition of Christina Aguilera's "The Voice Within" on Tuesday night but thankfully he made up for it last night when he admitted that he watched the show back on TV and saw that it was completely off. I don't know what it is about that studio in L.A. but they seem to always say that everything sounds great in there but that you only hear the performances for real when you watch it back on TV. Huh? That's weird. But at least that explains why some family members and fans have the audacity to boo at Simon after he tells someone they sucked when THEY DID.

Most of Tuesday night's performances were straight up embarrassing. They honestly made the show look terrible. One week it looked like there was SO much talent this year and the next week it looked like there was no one to choose from.

LISA started off the night rounding up the neighborhood cats.

KELLIE sounded like a cartoon character performing a Country song and dance at a Nashville amusement park.

ACE was not on key for even one of his notes (although the comment Paula made to him about his scar - "you'll have to tell me the story of how you got that one day" - was HILARIOUS because she so obviously wanted to end that sentence with "...when we are in bed" but both Simon and Randy's eyes popped out of their heads as they screamed "PAULA!" cuz you just know under their breath they were both muttering "we don't want another lawsuit you maneater").

MANDISA just did a lot of screaming. And I usually like that song.

TAYLOR sounded good but was kinda dull and that song wasn't good enough for American Idol. I know who Ray Lamontagne is but most people don't.

CHRIS was WAY too Gwar-ish for American Idol.

BUCKY was actually the best I've ever seen him to be honest with you. Does that mean he should win American Idol? No. Does that mean he's even good? Maybe not. But I tell you one thing, he does know how to work dem country songs (which should work well for him next week) so he will probably become a big line dancing night showcase star back home when this competition is over and done with.

KATHARINE scared me. Straight up. First off, WHAT THE HELL WAS SHE WEARING?!?! I couldn't get my face to relax from a grimace expression the whole time she was singing because her top looked like it was a joke. Honestly, she looked more like the captain of the Starship Enterprise rather than an AI contestant. And her singing? Yeesh. Now THAT made Christina Aguilera chuckle (yes, I know you and your hubby were watching X-Tina!). It was soooo painful.

PARIS was one of the only two who I thought were REALLY good this week. Sista girl WORKED IT OUT for real!!! I was JAMMING when I heard that song start off first of all because I am one of the few people who actually LOVED that Beyonce song when it was released as her first real solo single (way before her Dangerously In Love album dropped) but I was nervous because I know it's a doozy. Paris had NO FEAR though and not only hit all the right notes but she also had all the words right (which is a lot to ask of these kids - Melissa McGhee anyone?) and some hot dance moves to boot. My boy Simon wasn't feeling it but I did see his point (that she was like a little girl trying to do Beyonce) but that is what she is essentially. In reality, isn't Beyonce trying to be Diana Ross...Chris Brown trying to be Usher...Usher trying to be Michael Jackson...Ciara trying to be Aaliyah (RIP)...Britney Spears trying to be Janet Jackson...Christina Aguilera trying to be Mariah Carey......???

And then ELLIOT, dear ELLIOT, closed the show AND saved the show. He, along with Paris, were the only two really worthy performances Tuesday night. Elliot is adorable (sorry to my cousin Bren for pushing up on her man!) because he's not conventionally attractive but because he's so genuinely humble and personable and humorous, it makes him attractive in the end. His white boy hip-hop dance moves and his jagged teeth with big ears to match make him huggable and sweet. And did I mention he has diabetes as well? Yep, it's in his bio at Official American Idol Site in case you want to check up on me. So he faces adversity at a young age as well. Such a trooper!

That's it for Idol now peeps. Holla at me on the comments if you have anything to add or debate. Miss TLC OUT!!! ;)

Simmons Split?

Rumors are rampant that Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons marriage is over. US Weekly is due to go public with the story this week that Russell is dating a 23-year old model and that it's been over for months now. According to the NY Daily News, both of the Simmons' reps refused to comment on this story which naturally makes me suspicious. Not to mention the fact that Kimora has been skating on thin ice as we all know already. Anyone who saw her VH-1 special which went behind the scenes at Fashion Week could clearly see the cracks in their union. I know that producers edit things to sensationalize their shows but I think it was pretty straightforward when Kimora kept dismissing Russell from her office when he wanted to show her something from his new jewelry collection. She could've been joking around but she seemed quite abrasive and condescending as she kept flinging her hand in his direction and saying that she had no time to view the pieces he was so excited about because her jewelry collection was so much hotter to begin with.

SIDENOTE: Really Kimmy? What's so hot about this ring? <===== And what grown woman would wear this crap ESPECIALLY when it's $4000?!?!?! (And no, Mariah Carey doesn't count.)

Back to their supposed split, I don't wish divorce on anyone so I hope it's not true but I think it is. Marriage is tough. We all know that. The Simmons are both hard workers and their kids are cute as hell but I think this union was kinda doomed from the start. What I really want to know is whether or not this topic will be addressed in the reprinted versions of "Fabulosity".

He Did It Bitches!!! #1!!!

You can't read all the quotes but you can see all the stars and the tagline at the bottom: #1 DEBUT...MAKING HISTORY. :)

What U Know About That?!?!?!

Ok. I didn't need anymore convincing that T.I. was the ish but then he has to go and put on an Italia shirt?!?!?!? Was he trying to get my attention??? I think so. And if you think not then don't tell me because I want to keep thinking so. If you don't know, T.I. is a rapper/actor who has a new album entitled King dropping today and a new movie entitled ATL coming out on Friday.

Most importantly though is T.I. is hot. He has a baby face and impeccable fashion sense. Oh you don't think so? Then peep these shots below. (You might want to have his latest hit "What U Know" playing in the background when you look at these so go to http://www.grandhustle.com for your soundtrack.)





"Go buy the King album today...not because I'm talented but because I'm hella sexy"





"Go see ATL on Friday...not because it's entertaining but because I'm adorable"





"Stop playing......you know I'm cute"

I Want A Cool Rider

I'm sorry but I LOVE "Grease 2". I just saw this pic in an Entertainment Weekly article on the worst sequels ever and I just felt the need to comment. "We're Gonna Score Tonight", "Reproduction", "Who's That Guy?", "Back To School Again", "Let's Do It For Our Country", "Girl For All Seasons", just what movie were these critics watching? This was a classic if you ask me. And I know all the words to all of the songs in case you are wondering......some dance moves too. If you are interested in the article though, click here.

And always remember the Pink Ladies Pledge: "The Pink Ladies Pledge is to act cool, to look cool and to be cool, till death do us part, Think Pink!" Wait a second......I'm a Pink Lady and I didn't even know it! ;)

Someday My PRINCE Will Come

So those who know me know it's been very hard to keep quiet about my man until now. However, I wanted to speak about him at an important time, like the release date of his latest CD, 3121 (TODAY!!!). You can read the reviews below if you like or you can just take my word for it; this is a Miss TLC Record Recommendation to the umpteenth degree.

Since 1988, Prince has only released two perfectly cohesive and wonderful albums (as opposed to songs): Lovesexy and The Gold Experience. Now don't get me wrong. I have LOVE LOVE LOVED bits and pieces and songs and tracks from other releases of his throughout the 90s. Diamonds and Pearls, The Symbol Album, Come, Emancipation, Rave, The Rainbow Children, Musicology, etc. have all had their genius moments. But 3121 is different. It takes elements of his entire career and infuses them into one cohesive product. There is Prince as a lover, Prince as a brother, Prince as a rocker, and Prince as a sex symbol.

The main thing that has been missing from albums like Come, Rave, Chaos & Disorder, and The Rainbow Children are mainstream singles. 3121 looks to change that. "Lolita" alone can reach the masses and keep people singing and dancing about temptresses throughout the summer. 3121 also shows people that the "80s Prince" that they are always pining for is still there and very much alive. He just doesn't feel like bringing him out just because you want him. He's brought him out this time because he wanted him. Songs like "Fury" can not help but conjure up memories of "1999", and cuts like "3121" automatically make you think of "If I Was Your Girlfriend" mashed together with "Crystal Ball" (yes! Camille is back!). "The Word" and "Beautiful, Loved and Blessed" take religion to a whole 'nother level. They are two of the most uplifting, gorgeous songs Prince has done to date. "Incense and Candles", "Love", "Satisfied" and "The Dance" aren't too shabby either. They'll keep you fulfilled darlings. Just go get the album and you'll see. Trust me.

Selected Reviews:
USA TODAY (3 1/2 stars)


PEOPLE (3 1/2 stars)

Double Trouble

Hmmm...this skirt looks MUCH better on Linds. I'm sorry Mimi but the look just ain't yours. But hey, don't cry. You can still sing this lil' girl under the table.



It's gotta suck when you are a celeb and you are photographed wearing the same designer item as another celeb. It just makes it so easy to compare...... :)

No Comment

Get Ur Facts Str8

Keeping with our current celeb pictures theme, I can NOT STAND when publications and websites get their information wrong. I understand that to err is human, but when you make a glaring ridiculous error like calling one celeb another just because they are both Asian, or big-chested, or tall, or fat, or whatever is just irresponsible journalism. I come across this a lot with picture captions. Sometimes they are funny. Sometimes they are just downright insulting. If a photographer wants the job of attending events and taking pics on the red carpet, or outside clubs or on street corners, then they should AT LEAST do their homework and know who they are taking pictures of. For example, I just saw the following picture on the Getty Images site:



That's Pamela Anderson and Ray J in case you didn't know. However, this was the caption:

LONDON - March 13: Pamela Anderson and rapper Ginuwine (real name Paul Hewson) leave the Kaberet nightclub in Soho on March 13, 2006 in London, England. Pamela refused to be pictured with the rapper whilst he wore his real fur coat, but happily posed after it had been removed. (Photo by Nat Travers/Getty Images).

Ok, so first off, it ain't Ginuwine. Secondly, Ray J ain't a rapper. And third of all, Ginuwine's real name is not even Paul Hewson. It's Elgin Baylor Lumpkin. Yeah, I know. Hahaha.

Bottom line, do the research people. It's worth it. Holla.

Un-Effin-Believable

Did they learn nothing from my previous post about the paparazzi??? NO. Cause NOW you can actually STALK celebrities if you want. WHY? Why does ANYONE in their right mind think this is normal? Why are we allowed to follow and berate celebrities to the point of tracking them on online maps just because they are famous?

Don't get me wrong. I like perusing celeb pics just as much as the next guy but it's more for the fashion than the personal obsession. I for one run into celebrities all the time being from NYC and I don't lose my head over it or run after them for an autograph. Who cares. They are just regular people who slept with undesirable people to get where they are today. I kid. They have not all slept their way to the top. Look at Tara Reid. She's only slept her way to the bottom. Ba dum bum ching! I'M JUST JOKING!!!

Anyway, the stalkerazzi crap has got to stop. I am SO not in support of the guerilla tactics used by these mongrels to obtain personal pics and locations of the glitterati. My life would still be the same without them. And I know I sure as heck wouldn't want anyone tracking my whereabouts on Google Maps. Sheesh. And I'm not even famous. Well I guess I am......sorta. :) Actually, one of the main reasons I've decided NOT to become a celebrity is because of the paparazzi stuff. Who wants to be bombarded by flashbulbs when they come out of CVS?

READ ABOUT WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT HERE: (GAWKER.COM NEW FEATURE MENTION)

So sad. Mark my words, there will be plenty of lawsuits coming in with this one.

No Comment

The Best Little Show On TV

Get ready for Sunday folks cuz it's on. I have spoilers but I am not going to ruin it for everyone. All I can say is YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS IT so tune in this Sunday, 9pm on HBO. David Chase is back to doing what he does best. In case you aren't excited enough, watch the trailer here:

Wanna get psyched for The Sopranos? Click Here

WHY isn't this illegal?

Paparazzi are such losers. Look, I understand celebs are living the life they asked for, and that they are compensated with million dollar paychecks and tons of perks but I don't get how a job like this can be so freely practiced when it's obvious HARRASSMENT. Watch the following video where they are STALKING Lindsay Lohan just innocently coming in and out of stores and tell me your stomach didn't turn. Honestly, I was sickened. Hit me on the comments if you agree/disagree.

Watch Lindsay Deal With A*holes

No Comment

Ewwwwwwwwww

In today's news...

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Restaurants, gas stations, stores and other businesses in one Connecticut city may soon face another regulation — coat hooks in all public bathrooms.

The City Council Ordinance Committee has endorsed a proposal from City Councilman Keith Rodgerson to create a local law requiring coat hooks. Rodgerson has said no one should have to leave belongings on a public bathroom floor because there is no coat hook.

The City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposal Monday before deciding on whether to amend the city’s health code to include the proposal.



MY TAKE:

I'm sorry...what??? People actually put their belongings on a public bathroom floor just because there is no coat hook??? Seriously???

Apparently YES. No sooner did I see this story on the news this morning but then I read the following story during my commute an hour later. Needless to say, I was shocked and appalled.



From January 2006's Glamour Magazine (yes, I know, I need to catch up on my mags but I just have too many)......




My eyes almost bugged out of my head when I saw it. Do people REALLY do this? I would NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS put my handbag on a public bathroom floor. Why can't you hold it in your lap? Or just hold it in your hand while "using the facilities"?

Wow. Well either way, be sure to write your local congressman and demand coat hooks!

Checka check it out

So I saw two great things this weekend - Dave Chappelle's Block Party and Common in concert at the Nokia Theater in NYC. First, I will discuss Dave Chappelle's Block Party.



DAVE CHAPPELLE'S BLOCK PARTY

It was f'in great. Go see it.













No really. I know you are expecting me to say more but that's all you need to know. I was highly impressed. Being a fan of all of the artists featured in the film myself, I figured I would enjoy it regardless. However, the sound at the actual concert (held in September 2004) was so on point that the concert went from being a performance to an experience. I was honestly holding my breath during several songs. Dave was his typical self - entertaining, captivating, appealing and hella hilarious. Bump that, I will go on record right now and say that this movie will be nominated for best documentary at next year's Oscars. Yes, I went there.

Oh, and don't fret that it only came in at #7 at the box office this weekend.
(A) It wasn't in that many theaters.
(B) Dave made the film for only $3 million.
(C) It has grossed $6.5 million so far.

So he's still riiiiiiiich biiiiiiitch.


COMMON LIVE

Wow. First up, if you do not have Common's latest album "Be", you are missing out fool. Common is exceptionally talented as an MC, lyricist, and freestyle aficianado. However, for me, it wasn't until this album that he really got the whole one cohesive entity thing. See, some albums have several great tracks, or two or three hit singles, but there are holes (tracks you skip or zone out on). It's not necessarily a bad thing. Some of the greatest artists in the game have holes on all of their albums.

To create a truly solid work of art, you need to get a vibe going and ride it through from start to finish. "Be" accomplishes this. From the opening notes on the title track, all the way through track 11, you are a passenger on that ride with Common. He takes you through his hood, on the corner, through the bedroom, and even on trial. Therefore, I would've just been happy with straight up recitations of the album last night. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised and knocked on my ass. COMMON TORE IT UP. He sprung (literally, sprung) on the stage like a caged beast running and bouncing and chanting his lyrics with crystal clear clarity (it also doesn't hurt that Nokia's sound system is superb - if you haven't been to a show there yet, what are you waiting for?).

From what I remember, he did the entire new album as well as previous hits such as "I Used To Love H.E.R.", "Come Close", and "The Light". Hip-hop legends Pete Rock and DJ Premier hit the stage to show support and do shout outs with the crowd and Ice T was present as well. Common moved the crowd, preached, breakdanced (he was good too), and sexed up a girl he pulled from the audience. Oh yes ladies. The boy broke it down but good. He two-stepped with this chick to The Isley Brother's "For The Love Of You", slow danced to Prince's "Adore" and bumped and grinded to R. Kelly's "Bump & Grind". He had this girl's legs around his waist, grabbing her ass and everything. He definitely got game. :)

Other than that, his energy was remarkable. He was the straight up Energizer Bunny running back and forth giving the crowd pounds, holding the mic out for chants, pumping his fist, and spitting fire. He even jumped into the crowd during his encore. I've been to countless hip-hop shows in my life but I can now say that Common holds the crown as the best live show to date. DEFINITELY make sure to check him out if you get the chance. If not, just get the album. You can thank me later.

No Comment

Sex Ed = Self-Esteem Ed - Pt. 1

I recently attended a music industry party where I received a gift bag upon my departure. Within the gift bag was a tank top kinda shirt with the words "Be Sexy: It doesn't mean you have to have sex" and right away I was in love with it. You see nowadays the world revolves around sex. It's in music, movies, TV, museums (located on Broadway in NYC), high schools, junior high schools, and elementary schools. Kids are having sex at an alarming rate and STD transmission is out of hand. Now I'm not totally trying to bring this blog down but this was the "serious topic" I was talking about that's near and dear to my heart. I definitely plan to keep this blog entertaining. Heck, I plan to ride this thing until the wheels fall off. Publicize it, merchandise it, and revel in it. (On that note, please remember to mass email your friends, family and colleagues: "CHECK OUT MISSTLC.BLOGSPOT.COM!") But in order to really do that AND feel like I am doing something constructive at the same time, I am going to try to balance the funny with the not so funny. Now I think I've done enough lighthearted posts in the last two weeks to allow me to do a serious one. So here goes.

Don't get me wrong. I love sexuality. I love being sexy. I love my sex appeal. However, I don't love the fact that 12 years old girls are performing oral sex on random older boys because they don't think it's a big deal (Web MD Article). And I don't like that the youth of America are bombarded with sexual images on a daily basis (Web MD Article). Sadly you hear of 16 year old girls having babies because they felt they couldn't ask their boyfriend to use a condom or else he'd break up with them.

Now I know what you're saying. There's nothing you or I can do about this. Peer pressure is strong and kids like to experiment with things they think are taboo or cool. That's not true. It's just that we have been approaching this topic from the wrong angle all along. Older, more conservative folks think that promoting abstinence is the only way. Don't push abstinence. Kids aren't going to tell other kids that they are practicing abstinence. It sounds corny and old-fashioned. Shoot, even I wouldn't tell anyone that. It sounds dated and makes you look like you couldn't get anyone to have sex with you if you wanted to. Freer, more open types take the stance that kids are going to have sex regardless and that we should at least prepare them by having the birds and bees talk and then providing them with condoms and birth control. This isn't going to work either. Teenagers will only pay attention to the fact that you seem OK with them having sex so they will dive in headfirst and then freeze up when their boyfriend tells them that wearing a condom is like "taking a shower in a raincoat". So they'll go along with it unprotected and just hope for the best. The last common approach is the fear tactic employed by sensationalists and medical junkies. Telling a 15 year old boy that he's going to catch Herpes if he has sex is not going to affect you like you imagine it would. Kids think they are invincible and they NEVER read the pamphlets or pay attention to the material you give them on the subject. They think "Eh, if I catch something, I'll just go to the doctor and get some medicine for it. Oh, and only the gays get HIV." Yes, they still really believe those things.

So what shall we do you ask? We should mentor more. We should listen more. We should tell more honest stories (like the one where you had sex with the captain of the football team because you thought that he loved you and then you walked in on him having sex with a cheerleader at a party that you attended with him). And we should first and foremost teach girls a major lesson in self-esteem. From this point on, I am only going to focus on women. Mainly because I am one and also because females are the ones who really decide if and when they are going to have sex really. They hold the keys fellas and you know it. :) 9 times out of 10 young girls have sex because they think it will get someone to like them more. 9 times out of 10 young girls have sex because they think that they have to in order to become popular. 9 times out of 10 young girls have sex because they think it's what all cool women do. 9 times out of 10 young girls have sex because they think it will propel them into becoming adults quicker. 9 times out of 10 young girls have sex because they think their boyfriend will break up with them if they don't. We as adults know of course that this is wrong.

Now this is the part that you read to your little sisters, daughters, nieces, and baby cousins. Sex doesn't make you cooler, or more popular, or more wanted (in a good way). Sure, your name will be all around town and guys will be approaching you from left and right BUT THEY ARE ONLY TALKING TO YOU BECAUSE THEY HEARD YOU ARE A SLUT. Honestly. They will never tell you that but it's true. The kind of popularity the girls who are giving out blowjobs like lollipops is NOT THE KIND OF ATTENTION YOU WANT. Not only that but you will probably begin to lose girlfriends as well at that point. Girls you thought were previously your friends will talk behind your back and spread nasty gossip about how you gave it up to three guys in the same night. Not to mention the fact that you are not confirming your relationship or locking in your boyfriend just because you laid down in a bed with him and let him do whatever he wanted to do. He will still leave your ass when he's bored or finds another girl who is also willing to sleep with him.

Please don't get it twisted. I am not saying sex is purely evil and that all girls should wait to have it until they are 75. All I am saying is that girls need to be taught confidence first. Girls need to be taught how beautiful and worthy and valuable they are from jump. Believe me, it works. I am living proof. My parents instilled such great values in me that I confidentally walked around high school thinking "I would never have sex with any of these losers who DON'T DESERVE something so special from me." My parents were not shoving "don't have sex" diatribes down my throat or lecturing me on my "flower" and saving it until marriage. Instead they just taught me to pay attention in school, study, and be all I could be (without joining the army). My intelligence was being built up so that I could make safer, more balanced decisions while I was also realizing my full potential (which didn't include lying on my back). So while all the neighborhood guys were sitting around trading stories about which girls they had "had", my name was never uttered from their lips. Therefore I have no regrets. I have no bad memories of letting so and so have sex with me on some drunk night in someone's basement. I was strong enough to wait until I felt it was really right and was with someone who was not asking for sex on a daily basis (girls, that is code for 'I am only telling you I love you to get in your pants') It just happened naturally and wasn't a painful "guess I gotta finally give in" night.

This is the first part of several that I will write on this topic. I really feel that I have something beneficial to say on the subject and I hope you feel the same way and email this post to the young ladies you care about in your life. I will take this a step further in each post so I hope you return for more. Girls, I've lived this and I have no reason to lie to you. I am a beautiful, talented, intelligent and funny woman who could have any guy I wanted. I just chose not to act on that until I was really ready.

In conclusion, the shirt I was given at that music industry party was actually from the Candies' Foundation. I did some research and found out that there are plenty of celebs behind this cause. I am very impressed and pleased with their slogan and the message they are promoting. Check out the site at Candies' Foundation and buy one of your own to show your support. Give it to your daughters and little sisters and cousins and tell them that even though Britney lied about saving her virginity, Jessica Simpson didn't. And granted, Jessica's almost divorced now but she's still much better off than Britney, don't you think?

(That last part was said in jest I hope you know.)