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
Sunday, November 26, 2006
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
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
Thursday, November 23, 2006
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
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
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
Monday, November 20, 2006
Thank God For Pepple Getting The Hint
Isn't it nice when someone FINALLY gets the hint?
That's all!
~jaz
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!
~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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
