Ugly Betty is PRETTY Good

Ugly Betty may be filling the gap where GIRLFRIENDS slacks off. Executively produced by Salma Hayek, Ugly Betty tells the story of an ordinary girl [played by America Ferrera] hired as an assistant to the editor of a top fashion magazine in New York City. Very much a Devil Wears Prada for TV, Ugly Betty is not a new concept. It's actually based on the Columbian telenovella Yo Soy Betty La Fea, and I think ABC has struck gold with this one. The show is fresh, funny, and it's refreshing to see a non-traditional, non-white family as the focus.

Ugly Betty is a keeper, and America Ferrera is doin' a bomb job!

~jaz

It's Worth the Work

I'm probably a bit behind, but I recently got a chance to hear the story of Lisa Price and her company, Carol's Daughter [http://www.carolsdaughter.com/]. Lisa is an African American woman who (as she put it) turned a hobby into a business. Carol's Daughter carries a variety of beauty products, many of which Lisa was once preparing by hand in her kitchen. Today the business has grown and she's a self-made millionaire.

Listening to Lisa's story got me to wondering why more of us don't do that. I sincerely believe that we all possess at least one (in some cases more) God-given talent, skill, or ability -- but why are so many of us just sitting on those skills and not putting them to use? What is the difference between the person that let's their skill go to waste, and say a Cathy Hughes or a Lisa Price? What is it that he or she is missing? Some argue, "No one ever told me that was even a possibility." And to those folks, I hear you loud and clear, but you can't make me believe that if you were stranded some place, desert island, mountains, unfamiliar city -- whatever -- you can't make me believe that you wouldn't *figure* some things out. I have to believe that you would eventually learn how and where to get food, that you would eventually learn one or two survival techniques, if surviving was important to you. And these things, again, you would *figure* out on your own -- WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF NO ONE.

The world that we live in is no different. Most of us don't have the family examples to follow, but I believe that all of us have the capability of being the example for someone else. We have the choice of whether or not we want to start a new trend. And if you are one of the people that's looking for the example, use Cathy and Lisa -- and of course there are others -- but here are two excellent examples of starting from nothing. Cathy would be the first to tell you that she sacrificed much to build what she has, but I'm sure she'd also tell you that it was all worth it.

African Americans, as a people we really need to step up our game, if not for ourselves, for the examples we want to set for our children. My challenge for you is to begin taking the steps (no matter how small they may be at first) towards creating something of your own. Lisa began by selling her homemade goods at church and local flea markets. Find out who the clientele is for your product or service, and make yourself known. Anything is possible.

Just remember, "It's worth the work."
~jaz

I Miss Toni Childs

GIRLFRIENDS had become one of my favorite shows on network television, but this season it just isn't the same. The woman that brings the spunk to the show, and my favorite character, Toni Childs, is no longer present, and I keep wondering if the show will ever be the same.

Mya's too much by herself, Lynn's storylines have always been kinda' boring, and Joan is too whiny -- Toni was the extra *something* that kept things going, kept things alive -- kept things funny. For those faithful GIRLFRIENDS supporters out there, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Mind you -- they are making small strides to maintain loyal viewers, but it's taking a while, and I keep wondering if it will ever again be the show that I couldn't wait to see.

I miss you, Toni Childs!
~jaz

Let's Give Thanks

Today is a day when family and friends gather together to laugh, smile, and recount old memories. It's a day of food, football, naps, and more food. Those of us that have lived a few years will usually reflect at some point today, and share with others the many things we are thankful for. So in the spirit of giving thanks, I thought I share my thoughts with you...

Most of us probably don't have all of the material possessions we wish for, nor have we accomplished all the goals we set for ourselves. However, there are others much less fortunate, and I think it's important to remember them when we feel we don't have enough.

Hurricane Katrina Victims
These families are still trying to rebuild their homes and their lives. If you haven't seen Spike Lee's When the Levies Broke -- you need to. It really opened my eyes to the magnitude of the devastation still present in the city.

911 Victims
I'm sure we will forever remember where we were and what we were doing when we got notice of the horror taking place n US soil. The unfortunate truth is that even though a few years have passed, many of those whose families were directly affected by the tragedy are still grieving.

Local Impoverished
Wherever you live there may only be a few or there may be hundreds, but there are those living on little or nothing. There are children that Santa won't visit, there are addicts that won't kick their habit, and there are women that will stay in abusive relationships. We should all keep these people in mind when we feel we have "nothing."

Use this holiday season as a time to do something for someone else. It will make you feel great, and the recipient(s) will love you for it.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving,
~jaz

Thank God For Pepple Getting The Hint

Isn't it nice when someone FINALLY gets the hint?

That's all!
~jaz

Watch out for Debo!!

Born in Evanston, IL, Jackie Wilson [Debo] is no stranger to a microphone. Singing since the age of three in her church choir, her rich, melodic voice has been coating tracks with a rich dose of soul for most of her life. Starting out listening to classic radio shows, Jackie's love for house goes back to her childhood in the Chicago area. After taking a break from singing during her early college years, she dove in headfirst fronting the five-piece band Chi-town band Home. During this time, she also cut her teeth getting involved in Chicago's monolithic house scene. She frequented spots such as Boom Boom Room, Smart Bar, and Madbar where she fell under the spell of Chi-town talents like Mark Grant, DJ Heather, and Frique. Upon moving to Los Angeles, Jackie connected with SoCal producer Justin Michael for collaborations on tracks: "Ready for More", featured on British house label Duffnote; and "Turn it up" on Delecto. These tracks found their way into the hands of world-renowned DJs such as DJ Heather, Miguel Migs, the 3 Degrees DJs, Kaskade, BBC 1Xtra's Aaron Ross, Diz, and Marques Wyatt. Recently teaming with Jasonic Audio productions has been a welcome breath. It allows for a return to her more organic songwriting, and ever the late bloomer, she continues to blossom. Look for another Justin Michael colab called "Funky Love", recently remixed by Jay-J and released on iTunes under Swank Records fall 2006.

She's a personal friend of mine, and she's the bomb!

www.myspace.com/debomusic

~jaz

He's Usually Funny. This Was Foolish.

Michael Richards [aka Kramer -- Seinfeld] stunned a comedy club audience, shouting racial epithets at people who heckled him during a stand-up routine.

The 57-year-old actor-comedian, best known for playing Jerry Seinfeld's eccentric neighbor Kramer on the hit TV show "Seinfeld," was performing at the Laugh Factory in West Hollywood Friday night when he launched into the verbal rampage, according to video posted on TMZ.com.

The tirade apparently began after two black audience members started shouting at him that he wasn't funny.
Richards retorted: "Shut up! Fifty years ago we'd have you upside down with a f------ fork up your a--."

He then paced across the stage taunting the men for interrupting his show, peppering his speech with racial slurs and profanities.

"You can talk, you can talk, you're brave now mother------. Throw his a-- out. He's a n-----!" Richards shouts before repeating the racial epithet over and over again.

While there is some audible chuckling in the audience throughout the outburst, someone can be heard gasping "Oh my God" and various people "0oh" after Richards uses the n-word.
Richards performed the next night at the Laugh Factory without incident.

Calls to Richards' representatives were not immediately returned early Monday.

He refused to comment on-camera when reached by CNN, but the network reported that he said off-camera he felt sorry for what had happened and had made amends.

Word Up! All Hail the 90s!

You might be a child of the 90s if...

- You're named Hunter, Tyler, Taylor, Kyle, Koby, Danny, Destiny, Hailey, Madison, Britney, Caitlin or Shaye.
- Master Splinter is more than just a rat to you, and you thought that eating pizza and living in a sewer would be a "tight" way to learn martial arts if you were a turtle.
- You EVER thought that Ricky Martin was straight, Britney Spears could sing, and The Backstreet Boys, N*Sync, or Christina Aguilera were "da bomb".
- Big purple dinosaurs make you want to start singing and so do small colorful babies with antennas sticking out of their heads.
- Mom or Dad has ever yelled at you because s/he stepped on a Micromachine.
- You had serious discussions with your friends over whether Tommy or Jason was better at Martial Arts.
- Lunchables were once a satisfying meal for you.
- You're not sure if Christina Ricci, Macauley Culkin, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and Elijah Wood still need a babysitter, or if they should be dating the babysitter.
- Cheesy poofs sounded delicious, but you weren't allowed to say anything else Cartman said.
- Your dream car was a Jeep wrangler, Hummer, Mazda Miata, or a new VW Bug.
- "Hakunahmatata" sounds like a real word to you.
- Nintendo 64 is state of the art and the Tomb Raider girl seemed REALLY sexy.
- Body glitter was a must-have to go along with your pink hair...or maybe just by itself if you never ACTUALLY went through with the hair.
- It seems like the internet and MTV have always been around.
- You ever added "izz" and "ite" to a word to give it more "flava", as in "That '64 Impala is the shizzite"
- Someone that you knew, or maybe even you, had a belly button, nose, or eyebrow pierced (and pretty much everyone you knew had their ears pierced, more than once).
- At one point, you pulled your t-shirt up over your head and ran around the house screaming, "I am Cornholio!" and you know exactly why you needed t.p.
- If you could just get Pikachu trained...
- Tickle-Me-Elmo, a Super Soaker, and a pair of light-up tennis shoes were once on your Christmas list.
- The best concert you could ever go to would be called anything-palooza, and would feature everyone from Cypress Hill, Nirvana and Pearl Jam to Korn, Limp Bizkit, No Doubt, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Smash Mouth, and Sugar Ray.
- Unless, of course, you were a gangsta'-thug-life type kiddie...then you scoffed at all of the above and understood that Lauryn Hill, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, Warren G, Snoop, and Dr. Dre were the only ones who REALLY knew what waz up.
- Ace Ventura, Pet Detective, made you laugh, and Vanilla Ice and Dennis Rodman didn't.
- If Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Beverly Hills 90210, Party of Five, Moesha, Friends, Third Rock, Ally McBeal or Melrose Place was on, not even Freddie Prinze Jr. or Alicia Silverstone could get you to go out with them.
- The big stars to you are Jennifer Lopez, Sandra Bullock, Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Denzel Washington, Brad Pitt, and Matthew McConaughey.
- You're not sure who Winnona Ryder is, but you think she's that lady that used to be going out with that guy who looks like Skeet Ulrich.
- Sailor Moon and any other anime that you could get your hands on was stuff to make all your friends at the raves jealous with.
- You saw Men In Black, Dazed and Confused, Rushmore, Friday and Scream 1 and 2 when they were still in theaters.
- Even though you'd never admit it, you're now slightly afraid to go camping just in case the Blair Witch is somewhere near by.
- You secretly believe that maybe, just maybe, Tupac is still alive.
- And we all know you'd still go out with Edward Furlong or Pamela Anderson if s/he asked.

That's Phat!
~jaz

Take a Chill Pill -- All Hail the 80s!

You are the children of the Eighties. You are not the first "lost generation" nor today's lost generation; in fact, you think you know just where you stand - or are discovering it as you speak. You are the ones who played with Lego Building Blocks when they were just building blocks and gave Malibu Barbie crewcuts with safety scissors that never really cut.

You collected Garbage Pail Kids and Cabbage Patch Kids and My Little Ponies and Hot Wheels and He-Man action figures and thought She-Ra looked just a little bit like I would when I was a woman. Big Wheels and bicycles with streamers were the way to go, and sidewalk chalk was all you needed to build a city. Imagination was the key. It made the Ewok Treehouse big enough for you to be Luke and the kitchen table and an old sheet dark enough to be a tent in the forest. Your world was the backyard and it was all you needed. With your pink portable tape player, Debbie Gibson sang back up to you and everyone wanted a skirt like the Material Girl and a glove like Michael Jackson's.

Today, you are the ones who sing along with Bruce Stringsteen and The Bangles perfectly and have no idea why. You recite lines with the Ghostbusters and still look to The Goonies for a great adventure. You flip through T.V. stations and stop at The A Team and Knight Rider and Fame and laugh with The Cosby Show and Family Ties and Punky Brewster and what you talkin' 'bout Willis? You hold strong affections for The Muppets and The Gummy Bears and why did they take the Smurfs off the air? After school specials were only about cigarettes and step-families, the Pokka Dot Door was nothing like Barney, and aren't the Power Rangers just Voltron reincarnated?

You are the ones who still read Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, the Bobbsey Twins, Beverly Clearly and Judy Blume, Richard Scary and the Electric Company. Friendship bracelets were ties you couldn't break and friendship pins went on shoes - preferably hightop Velcro Reebox - and pegged jeans were in, as were Units belts and layered socks and jean jackets and jams and charm necklaces and side pony tails and just tails. Rave was a girl's best friend; braces with colored rubberbands made you cool.

The backdoor was always open and Mom served only red Kool-Aid to the neighborhood kids- never drank New Coke. Entertainment was cheap and lasted for hours. All you needed to be a princess was high heels and an apron; the Sit'n'Spin always made you dizzy but never made you stop; Pogoballs were dangerous weapons and Chinese Jump Ropes never failed to trip someone. In your Underoos you were Wonder Woman or Spider Man or R2D2 and in your treehouse you were king.

In the Eighties, nothing was wrong. Did you know the president was shot? Star Wars was not only a movie. Did you ever play in a bomb shelter? Did you see the Challenger explode or feed the homeless man? You forgot Vietnam and watched Tiananman's Square on CNN and bought pieces of the Berlin Wall at the store. AIDS was not the number one killer in the United States. You didn't start the fire, Billy Joel.

In the Eighties, you redefined the American Dream, and those years defined us. You are the generation in between strife and facing strife and not turning our backs. The Eighties may have made us idealistic, but it's that idealism that will push us and be passed on to our children - the first children of the twenty-first century. Never forget: You are the children of the Eighties.

Grodie!
~jaz

Can You Dig It?!? All Hail the 70s!!

You might be a child of the 70s if you know the answers to these questions:

- Many 70s children loved this little rabbit, who appeared in many books, as well as having a range of stationery and toys. What was the rabbit's name?
- Nowadays Saturday morning kids' TV is taken for granted. But in the early 1970s there was no such thing. The BBC's first Saturday morning children's show was Noel Edmonds' "MultiColoured Swap Shop". Who did NOT present "Swap Shop"?
- This superhero (heroine?) caused millions of little girls to make themselves dizzy spinning round in the playground, and was an object of their big brothers' fantasies. But which actress was Wonder Woman?
- 'Star Wars' was probably the most famous movie of the decade, but which of these other movies did not first become a hit with kids in the 1970s?
- Hong Kong Phooey was a 'number 1 super guy', but who was his alter-ego?
- Which of these foods did NOT become popular for parties in the 70s?
- 'Battle of the Planets' was a Japanese cartoon (dubbed into English) about a group of superhero child astronauts. What was the name of the evil villain they regularly defeated?
- Which of these hit toys was NOT popular in the 1970s?
- This television series had a person who was the epitome of "cool." One snap of his fingers and girls would magically appear. What was the name of this television series?
- There were two kinds of bell bottom pants. One was called Bell Bottoms, but what was the other kind called?
- This toy, very popular in the 1970s, has a bright red frame and two knobs, which you turn to draw or write. What is the name of this toy?
- This fad was very popular among girls, as well as guys. It was raved as "psychedelic" for the cool designs and colors. What was this fad?
- Which famous rock band made their first television appearance on Paul Lynde's Halloween Special in 1976?
- What were jeans called in the 1970s?
- This teen idol had a major hit in Europe with the single "Morning Girl." Who is this superstar that made young girls go crazy?
- Who won the Grammy in 1977, for the record of the year?
- Which Team won the World Series in 1977?
- What film won the Oscar for best picture in 1977?
- What show won the Emmy for best comedy series for the 1977, 1978 seasons?
- What Musical won the Tony for 1977?

Flower Power,
~jaz

Yeah Baby!! All Hail the 60s!

You might be a child of the 60s if…

- Hangups had nothing to do with the phone.
- You knew the words to "Dominique," yet you didn't know a word of French.
- "The Twist" was a dance – not a doughnut.
- You know that the first "moon walk" was taken by Neil Armstrong, not Michael Jackson.
- On TV, parents slept in separate beds.
- The word assassination took on a heartbreaking – and all too real – meaning.
- You rooted for that new baseball team, the New York Metropolitans (New York Mets to you later fans).
- You unraveled your jeans to have a fringe on them.
- Four words: "Sock it to me."
- You own every Bobby Rydell record ever made.
- You know what a record is.
- You know that the British Invasion was not a military operation.
- Your lipstick was white, not black.
- "More" was everybody's wedding song.
- "Turn on, tune in, drop out."
- A joint was not a corner bar and weed was not just an annoyance that poked out of the family yard.
- Jeans were called dungarees.
- Topics of heated discussion: Was Paul really dead? Does anyone know the real lyrics to "Woolly Bully"?
- Michael Jackson did not look like Diana Ross.
- You wore miniskirts the first time around and only wish you had the figure to wear them again.
- You still do drugs – but now they are aspirin.
- Songs about magic dragons and unicorns could actually be hits on the radio.
- Bilbo and Frodo were your Harry Potter.
- You wished you could be a California Girl.
- You loved Mickey Mantle; you hated Roger Maris.
- You wore bell bottoms – the first time around.
- You only had friends in fours so each of you could be one Beatle.
- The more patches your clothes had, the better.
- Your house only had a one-car garage because most families only had one car.
- You actually used a slide rule in math class.
- You'll never forget how you learned that JFK had died.
- You knew who had a bomb shelter.
- "Night of the Living Dead" terrified us.
- Fidel Castro terrified us even more.
- Gas cost less than 30 cents a gallon, had lead in it and the attendant pumped the gas, cleaned your windshield and sometimes fixed your car.
- Top hair accessories: an ironing board, pink rollers, beer cans, Dippity Do, and a hair dryer with a bonnet and a hose.
- Look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls!
- Watts was a section of Los Angeles where riots occurred, not the power of a bulb.
- You liked either the Beatles or the Rolling Stones – never both.
- You knew all the words to "Light My Fire."
- You thought saying "far out" was really far out.
- You would never trust anyone over 30.
- You followed Frank Zappa's advice and never ate yellow snow.
- You learned to dance by watching "American Bandstand," "Hulaballoo" and "Shindig."
- You know what "One ringy-dingy" means.
- Seven words: "Tonight, we have a really big show."
- You remember when the Ponderosa was not just a food chain.
- You rolled up your skirt after you left the house and rolled it back down before you got home.
- You wondered how you could get tickets to a little rock concert in the Catskills.
- You dreamed about becoming a surfer, even though you didn't live anywhere near the water and never even saw a surfboard!
- You either loved Dr. Kildare or Ben Casey – never both.
- Catholic Mass was said in Latin, and you thought "e cum spirituo" was a phone number.
- The Pill was more popular than Viagra.
- "Take it off, take it all off" was a shaving commercial.
- You still have your long ponytail, but it's gray now.

Far out!

~jaz

Eponym Trivia

An eponym is a general term used to describe from what or whom something derived its name. Therefore, a proprietary eponym could be considered a brand name (trademark or service mark) which has fallen into general use. A very poplular one, for instance, is Kleenex. Obviously Kleenex is the brand name and facial tissue is the product. Here are some other popular eponyms:

- xerox
- coke
- scotch tape
- white out
- q-tip
- post-it-note

Betcha' didn't know that these, too, are eponyms:

- frisbee
- kool-aid
- popsicle
- styrofoam
- jello
- thermos
- hi-liter

My new most favorite eponym... GOOGLE!!

Be easy,
~jaz

A Moment of Silence

Gerald Levert, the R&B singer whose hits included "I Swear" and "I'd Give Anything," as well as chart-toppers with the groups LeVert and LSG, has died, according to his label, Atlantic Records. He was 40.

Levert died of a heart attack Friday at his Cleveland, Ohio, home, according a statement from Atlantic.

"He was one of the greatest voices of our time, who sang with unmatched soulfulness and power, as well as a tremendously gifted composer and an accomplished producer," the statement read. "Above all, he was an exceptional human being whose warmth and grace inspired us all."

Levert, the son of O'Jays member Eddie Levert Sr., first hit it big with his sibling Sean and friend Marc Gordon as the trio LeVert in the mid-'80s. The group's hits included the 1987 song "Casanova," which hit the Top Five on the pop charts.

Gerald Levert went solo in 1991. His hits included a duet with his father, "Baby Hold On to Me."

In 1997 he and singers Johnny Gill and Keith Sweat formed LSG. The group's self-titled album sold more than two million copies, and their hits included "My Body."

More recent albums by Levert included 2002's "The G Spot" and 2004's "Do I Speak for the World."

His most recent album was 2005's "Voices."

Levert had four children.

[POSTED: 4:54 p.m. EST, November 10, 2006 / www.cnn.com]

In Case You Care...

Around this time of year everyone begins to make their list and check it twice. I am no different -- but for those of you who's list I fall on, and for others that care... welcome to my Christmas Wish List:

- $1400.00
- GNC gift card
- treadmill
- world peace
- water filtration system
- Welcome Back Kotter DVD
- roman chair
- end war in Iraq
- new car
- $200 Target gift card
- Harry & David fruit basket
- donation to rebuild homes in New Orleans
- anything Anne Geddes
- Just the Right Shoe
- classy blue ink pens
- adopt a child from Sally Strothers
- King of Queens DVD
- $2500.00
- sphynx kitten
- end to natural disaster
- glove & scarf set
- 2007 calendar
- digital camera
- end to world hunger
- personal trainer
- violin lessons
- cowboy boots
- prosecution for all rapists and those that commit child sex crimes
- Jamba Juice gift card
- Spanish tutor
- Everybody Love Raymond DVD

Like I said... in case you care.
~jaz

It's Not the Devil

Addictive, maybe, but not the devil.

I'm talking about Myspace. I was one of the ones boycotting it's existence in earlier days, but as of late I’ve grown to like and somewhat depend on this vast Internet Community. It really hasn’t failed me yet. Anytime I’m looking for someone, I can either find them on Myspace, or find someone that knows them. Either way I’ve won! And it just keeps getting better and better, since the site continues to gain so much popularity – and not just amongst the adolescent crowds. It’s a great way to advertise your service or product, meet new friends, and a sure home run for finding old ones.

Long live Myspace!

www.myspace.com/jasmynneshaye

A Sprinkle of Confidence Goes a L O N G Way

Admittedly I’m a proud supporter of America’s Next Top Model. And though there are several things I’d love to change about the show – the fact still remains: these girls are getting an opportunity they may have never had before. And for that very reason, I tune in on a weekly basis.

Well for those of you that secretly (or openly) watch along with me, you saw that our Middle Eastern beauty, Anchal, was given the ax. Anchal is definitely the most beautiful contestant I’ve ever seen on the show, but unfortunately for her she lacked that little something. She lacked belief in herself, and because of it, when she looks in the mirror; she doesn’t see the same thing that we see. Anchal lacks confidence, and I’ve never seen a better example. Here you have it: the epitome of perfect bone structure, natural sex appeal, and a wonderful body – but the person herself neither believes nor sees any of this. How can this be? I’m sure more than anything it has to do with years of being told otherwise. Being told in some form or fashion that you’re not good enough. Perhaps even being called ugly or unattractive. This was Anchal’s situation, and she’s currently fighting an uphill battle in a effort to obtain any shred of confidence that she can.

And we’ve all seen it – a sprinkle of confidence goes a long way. The super-unattractive guy with the modelesque female and she can’t be with him for his money because he’s broke. She’s with him because unlike most of his counterparts he had the guts to step to her. For whatever reason he believed himself to be good enough for her, and she bought it – hook, line, and sinker. We’ve seen it a million times, and it’s true: no one will believe in you until you believe in yourself.

Anchal couldn’t *sell* model, though she’s a beautiful girl she just couldn’t sell it. But she’s not alone, because I think many of us fall short in this arena in some form or fashion. Can we sell ourselves in the job interview? Can we make this hiring manager believe that *we* believe we’re the best candidate for the position? Can you sell yourself to the Casting Director? To the cute guy that just moved in your building? To whoever for whatever… can you do it? Bottom line is do YOU think you’re good enough??? Someone once told me to “fake it ‘til you make it.” And I sware it’s some of the best advice I was ever given (as generic as it may be), and that’s what I plan to do – keep a healthy dose of confidence with me at all times.

Be easy,
~jaz

Slow & Steady Wins This Race

There is much to be said about a disciplined person. Be it a professional gymnast, basketball player, or a Pulitzer Prize author – it took discipline to get there. It took discipline, sacrifice and hard work for Cathy Hughes to build the empire that she now has. Most of us saw the transformation as Oprah went from being Donahue’s competition to having no competition at all. Again, it took discipline. And discipline can be a tricky thing. I think many of us have set our sights on a goal, developed some new habits to ensure we reached the goal, but for whatever reason we fell short somewhere. Somehow or another our newfound discipline lasted for only a little while. Mind you – during those few precious months [or weeks] we were a force to be reckoned with, but those gale force winds soon calmed to quiet whispers, and before we could count to 10 the old habits had returned, and that new discipline was no where to be found. And when this happens we often times beat ourselves up as if we’d never even stepped foot onto this new path. The mental bashing continues for so long that it takes another lifetime for us to re-saddle our horses and begin the ride to accomplishment again.

Here’s my suggestion: let’s mentally shrink these mountains we’re trying to climb by setting smaller goals for ourselves, and treating the grand achievement like a marathon. Along the way we’ll win a battle here, loose a battle there – but in the end we will win the war, and finish the marathon as proud contestants. Someone once asked, “How do you eat an elephant?” ANSWER: One bite at a time. Let’s not bite off more than we can chew. We *are* conquerors and we *are* overcomers – we just have to pace ourselves a little better.

Are you with me?? If so – see you at the finish line!

~jaz

F I N A L L Y

The wait is over gang!! It's finally here! For those of you that have turned blue waiting for the arrival of Beverly Hills 90210 on dvd, call your respiratory therapists 'cause you can breathe again! IT'S HERE!! Can you believe it?? Don't believe me? Visit amazon.com and see for yourself [http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/102-2639673-7658545?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=beverly+hills+90210&Go.x=8&Go.y=8 ].

I don't know about you, but I've been waiting, petitioning, and begging for this day for what seems like forever, and I'm so happy I can hardly stand it! Woo-hoo! Thank you Aaron Spelling! Thank you FOX! And thank you dvd gods! 2006 hasn't let me down after all!

PS: Season 1 of Melrose Place was also released today as well.

Can this day get any better?
~jaz

Silverstein Please! [to be shouted in similar fashion to the ridiculous Ovaltine commercials]

Is there any thing, place, or person that snatches you back in time when you see it? It [or they] force you to take a silent journey to a memorable euphoric place, and all you can do is smile? I’ve got several of those euphoric memory triggers, and one of my most favorite is kept in arm’s reach so that I can visit such classic times on a daily basis if I choose. His name is Shel Silverstein, and the books are The Giving Tree, A Light in the Attic, and Where the Sidewalk ends. Shel is one of my favorite authors because his books made me snicker, giggle, and laugh uncontrollably when I was younger. And today, when I revisit them I’m reminded of those days, and typically smile because I can’t wait to share these treasures with my future children. And for those of you that do have children, nieces, or nephews, don’t sleep on Shel – Dr. Seuss, Richard Scarry, and Mother Goose aren’t the only ones that know how to cater to the kids. Look him up, you’ll be glad you did, and the kiddies will love you for it!

Be easy,
~jaz

A Phrase Not Used Enough

Do you ever feel like responding with "Who cares??" when someone tells you something or asks your opinion? Call me crazy, unsympathetic, or just plain rude -- but it seems more often than not I find myself biting my tongue from blurting this seemingly appropriate phrase. Let me give you a few examples…

Man! I need to go get my nails done.
[silent: Who cares?]

Jazzy, somebody took the last bagel from the break room.
[silent: Who cares?]

Dolce & Gabbana said their gonna discontinue my favorite perfume. What am I supposed to do now??
[silent: Who cares?]

Do you think we’re all gonna get laid off?
[silent: Who cares?]

New York was actin’ a fool last night on Flava of Love!
[silent: Who cares?]

Can you believe my dad said he’s not gonna pay my cell phone bill anymore?!
[silent: Who cares?]

We took the dog to the vet yesterday, and she’s got cancer.
[silent: Who cares?]

I ate a piece of cheese at lunch and I feel so fat.
[silent: Who cares?]

My ex-boyfriend said he wants us to get back together.
[silent: Who cares?]

I went to the mall last night and couldn’t find nothing to wear this wknd.
[silent: Who cares?]

My cousin just had her baby!! Wanna see the pictures?!
[silent: Who cares?]

Do you think I should wait 3 months before I have sex with him?
[silent: Who cares?]

My biology professor told us that his wife is leaving him.
[silent: Who cares?]

I’m not even sure why I’m choosing today to speak on this, maybe it’s got something to do with the 18 meaningless conversations I had today, or maybe I just wanted to vent a little. So I guess I can close this chapter for now (until I choose to revisit it again).

But really… who cares??
~jazzy

Praise Where Praise Is Due

I had a chance to catch The Color Purple on Broadway, and was more than pleased. Alice Walker wrote a phenomenal book, Steven Spielberg directed an exquisite film, and Gary Griffin has given us yet one more reason to love this timeless story. From curtain open to curtain close it was spectacular! The acting was top-notch, the singing was mesmerizing, and the story was told in a rich, captivating manner staying a bit closer to the original novel.

Many of us rattle off such phrases as the following like nothing.

“You told Harpo to beat me?!”
“I may be black; I may even be ugly, but I’m here!”
“Next time I’ma put a lil Shug Avery pee in it. See how he like that.”
“My name is Mary Agnes.”
“My God, the dead has arisen.”
“That’s when I know’d they is a God.”

And with the onset of the musical it’s truly as if a special place and time has somehow been reborn. It’s a magical masterpiece that should be seen by all. Treat yourself if you can – you will not be disappointed!

Ahhhhhhhhh-min.
~jaz

Favorite Things

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens;
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens;
Brown paper packages tied up with strings;

Wait – scratch that. THESE are a few of my favorite things:

Favorite color: blue
Favorite movie: Dirty Dancing
Favorite city: Seattle
Favorite book: The Giving Tree
Favorite weather: 72 degrees and sunny w/a light breeze
Favorite snack: potato chips
Favorite actor: Edward Norton
Favorite actress: Charlize Theron
Favorite beverage: cranberry juice
Favorite pizza: mushroom + onions
Favorite dish: lasagna
Favorite scent: orange/citrus
Favorite sound: ocean waves
Favorite building: Heck-Andrews House
Favorite TV show: Beverly Hills 90210
Favorite Michael Jackson video: Smooth Criminal
Favorite collectable: Just the Right Shoe
Favorite comedian: David Spade
Favorite mess: my family
Favorite relaxation: napping
Favorite guilty pleasure: hot dogs
Favorite fruit: mangos
Favorite teacher: Rhondi Fizer
Favorite fictional character: Strawberry Shortcake
Favorite radio personality: Russ Parr
Favorite dog: Great Dane
Favorite physical activity: jogging
Favorite infomercial product: Magic Bullet
Favorite restaurant: Katsu-Ya
Favorite accessory: sunglasses
Favorite instrument: violin
Favorite 5-minute meal: grilled fish via George Forman
Favorite writing utensil: blue ball point pen
Favorite reality TV: America's Next Top Model
Favorite supplement: biotin
Favorite old habit: quoting Ace Ventura
Favorite new habit: blogging

Be easy!
~jaz

Word Play

Do you know what a portmanteau is? If not, let me take a minute or two to introduce you. A portmanteau is a word blend formed by combining two or more portions of separate words to create something new. Easier exampled than explained: spork = spoon + fork. And there you have it! A portmanteau! You'd be surprised to find out that some words we use all the time are portmanteaus. Take a look...

bash = bang + smash
blog = web + log
blurt = blow + spurt
hassle = haggle + tussle
brash = bold + rash
prissy = prim + sissy
smash = smack + mash
twiddle = tiwst + fiddle

And there are the more common ones like: infomercial, televangelist, smog, brunch, croissandwich, rockumentary, and ginormous. I think my most favorite portmanteau is SPAM. The luncheon loaf made from bits of horse hoof and pig nostrils. Well, yes -- SPAM, too is a portmanteau. SPAM is spiced ham. [Can you believe they would even consider calling it ham?]

One of my favorite pastimes is creating new portmanteaus that will someday leak into pop culture and one day be as much a part of language as "da bomb" and "bling." Here's what I've got so far:

busiual = business + casual
frinner = frozen + dinner
fask = face + mask
pranner = printer + scanner
cofable = coffee + table

As you can see I've got much work to do to come up with something catchy enough to be infused into pop culture. For now I'll just continue to be bold, using my ridiculous combinations in public until I get a, "That's cool!" or "Yeeaaah! I've never heard it called that before!" Then I will know that I have arrived. Until then, wish me luck.
~jaz

Just Jaz

This is where it all starts, I suppose... My first post. My introduction to those who chose to grace this page... I don't know. I think you'll find that I'm a fairly simple person. Not terribly unlike most. Just like you I've got likes, dislikes, some pet peeves, and a few strong opinions as well. But it's all good, right? The mix of good, bad, and ugly is what makes us human. I don't wear anger, hatred, or ill will on the end of my sleeve -- but I probably won't greet you with a fake a$$ grin either. If the occasion calls for a smile, you'll get it, otherwise... I'm just Jaz. That's me: Just Jaz.

Now don't get me wrong, I like to cut up as much as the next one [if not more]. It's probably my most favorite thing to do. Laughing out loud for no reason. Picking on myself for the ignorant things I do, and picking on other people for the ignorant things they do. That’s the beauty of it – I *can* and DO laugh at myself. I suppose I truly believe that laughter is the best medicine. I guess I’ve experienced enough depression and despair that I openly accept and often times seek out any opportunity for a good laugh. And I’ll even let you in on a little secret: if you’ve got a crazy-wacky-sarcastic sense of humor like I do, one of the laughs of my year was captured on an episode of Good Times. It’s actually the last episode of Season 3: The Rent Party. On this episode you’ll see Michael Evans gettin’ his sing and dance on in a way only he could pull off. HIL-A-RIOUS!! If you can’t get your hands on a copy of the DVD, youtube.com is the next best option.

Welcome to my blog!
~jaz