Lazy Days

Like a lot of the East Coast,we have been out of school more than we have been in school lately. Gotta love cold snowy days. So what does one do? Well if you are me, you read a lot. You watch a lot of movies, and well, you bake. Last week, we only were in school on Friday. If I ever get another job, outside of the school system, I will probably die. I absolutely love my work schedule. Can't beat it. 

That being said, Netflix has become my family's bestest friend. Everyone is watching{catching up on} some series and they watch every free moment they get. I can take it or leave it but given how much time off we've had, I too have gotten in on the action. I love a good show with complex characters, engaging plot, and lack of predictability. I am eagerly awaiting the return of two Netflix series. Orange is the New Black and House of Cards are really good shows. Again, no compensation but check them out. I am a big fan of Kevin Spacey and he is the star of House of Cards. Orange is the New Black grabbed me pretty quick and I am eagerly anticipating new installments.

Yesterday, I was home alone and had nothing else to clean  that I wanted to clean.. I decided to finally watch Fruitvale Station. It is the story of a young African American male, 22 years old who is senselessly killed by rent a cops the subway guards at a subway station on after ringing in the New Year. It left me teary and sad. It left his family and friends shocked and outraged. It left a daughter who was clearly a daddy's girl to be raised by a single mom. It left me again thinking about how quickly life can change. One minute, Oscar was celebrating the New Year with his girlfriend and homies and the next he was fighting for his rights as a man and minutes later, his life. The story is tragic and heartbreaking. Oscar is no angel but neither are most of us. He was flawed but he was a real complex young man who clearly loved his family and friends. Senseless deaths occur everyday all over this country and it really does make my heart ache. Life is full of twists and turns. It's precious. Tell your loved ones you love them.

When I am tired of watching movies and television, I resort to my favorite thing....baking or cooking. With the invention of Pinterest, there are a ton of new things out there to try. If the kitchen is not your area, then you might be inspired by the craft ideas. When all else fails, I love word games. My family will not play Scrabble with me despite the fact that it remains my favorite family board game. Thank goodness, my Iphone allows me to keep my mind productive. I have countless games of Words with Friends and Scramble with Friends going on. I am also addicted to Candy Crush Saga. Last week my daughter introduced me to Quiz up. Needless to say, I can keep myself entertained. I am not a napper so sleep is not high on my priorities. 

Finally, I do try to spend more time developing my relationship with Christ. I am always looking for inspiring devotionals and studies. I have read the Bible from cover to cover on several occasions. Every time, there is something new to discover about God and myself. If you are a Christian, you know that you are always a work in progress and there will always be room for improvement. This year I want my relationship with Christ to be more personal and more dynamic than ever before. I am trying to personalize the scriptures for myself because every promise God made is for me{and you too}. I think our prayers are strengthened when we make God's Word real and personal. I am hoping that as I go through various trials, that I can clearly see God's Hand every step of the way and that I give Him the praise He deserves. I want to be as faithful to Christ as He is to me. I already know that 2014 is going to be a game changer. Only God knows how He has worked it out. I am trusting and believing that Jer. 29:11 is written for me in this season of my life. Peace and blessings!

In Diva Love, 

Pam

Love, Peace, and Soul

On February 1, 2012, news reports indicated that Don Cornelius was dead from an apparently self inflicted gunshot wound. He was 75. Don Cornelius is best know for launching the now extremely famous long running music show, Soul Train. If you are an African American person, you probably spent many a Saturday morning in front of your television watching, singing and dancing to the latest musical talent in our community. Hardly a Saturday morning went by, where most of us didn't take the "hippest trip in America." White America revered Dick Clark and American Bandstand, Soul Train was the African American community's equivalent.

I have great memories of getting up on Saturday mornings and doing some serious cleaning. A break was always guaranteed once Soul Train graced the air. I could figure out the Scramble board with expediency and you could believe that my brother and I were grooving down our own Soul Train line. The fashion was eccentric and the moves were meant to imitated. Who can forget the Asian chick with the long hair or the afros, or the robot? So many memories come flooding back and they all make me smile. Cornelius hosted the show from 1971 to 1993. Thirty five years is a long time and it covers various musical eras and styles of dress. The show continued until 2006. Soul Train was a platform for seasoned and upcoming musical artist of color. It defined black pop culture for many years.

Cornelius apparently had serious health issues having suffered a stroke at some point and also had undergone brain surgery as well. He was a smooth dresser with a trademark deep voice. His vision for the show was groundbreaking because he really gave Black music a face. He also created the Soul Train Music Awards to highlight and give our artists their due. There is an extraordinary Time Life series highlighting the long running show. Not just a host but the owner of his shows, Don Cornelius leaves a legacy in the music community that will not easily be matched or surpassed. No one knows what drew this legend to end his life but a void will be felt. By all accounts, Don Cornelius was loved by many. He leaves two sons behind. There are memorials planned and even a flash mob to commemorate his life. Rest in peace!

In true DIVA love and soul,

Pam

Diva Dialogue-September, 2011

So I have a few minutes so I thought I'd whip out a blog. Hey, y'all! School started yesterday. I now have a high schooler and a 5th grader. Time flies when you have children. My grandmother told me that long ago and of course she is correct.

So there are quite a few things going on. First and foremost, the GOP presidential candidates are trying to gear up for what is going to be a long dreaded race. I am so not feeling that. Obama has a fight on his hands with one of those fools folks. Here's my opinion, Obama has been soft and the public is pissed. They hate the health care plan, there are still few new jobs, and most are hoping for a different type of change.  Congress has been hard and unyielding. Frankly, I am sure they can care less what their constituents desire as long as they have yet another chance to disagree with the POTUS. I think it is time for Obama to take a hard stance on something and follow it through. I really want him to have a Southside Chicago moment but America would then label him an angry Black man and we definitely don't need that.

Normally, I don't watch the Oscars but this year, I just might. Eddie Murphy has been selected to host the event. I am kinda intrigued by that. He is an impressive comedian who I think can be edgy but not rub folks the wrong way like Piers Morgan did. We'll see! Only time can tell. I will tune it and see what I think for myself. Hopefully, this year will include some movies that people actually go to see and enjoy.

So Beyonce is preggers. Do we care? I think not. I am happy for her and Jay-Z. Let's hope the baby gets the best of both of them. When I think about it, that baby could turn out to be not very cute. Let's hope it gets the best of the talent pool too.

I am cynical about Hollywood marriages. I hope Jada and Will don't come out in a couple of weeks talking about their marriage is over ala Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. Rumor has it that Jada and Marc had an affair. My question is this, if you have an open marriage, can you really have an affair? IMHO, Marc Anthony is not attractive. He looks kinda dirty to me. Oh and for those of you who don't know, Hawthorne was cancelled.

Kate Gosselin is job hunting. Any takers? TLC finally cancelled her lame show and no she has to find a legit gig to take care of her eight children. Ex-spouse, Jon, is probably very happy since being on television was detrimental to his kid's normalcy. As if they could be normal with such crazy parents.

Shaunie O'Neal should be ashamed of herself. I don't watch either of her shows but let's face it, they are crap. None of the so called Basketball Wives are in fact, wives. Oh I forgot, you can be a former wife, a groupie, or a baby mama and qualify. Makes me wanna holler! I know I expected Shaunie to produce a more classy show and held her to a standard that she obviously didn't deserve. Shaunie is prostituting those women and they are desperate enough to let her. She sits back and chills while they make complete fools of themselves. Why? because she is getting paid, that's why. Diva lesson for the day: Never sell your soul for the Almighty Dollar!

Okay that is it for now. Real random, right? I know I am sorry, it just had to come out. On a more serious note, in a few days, it will be the tenth anniversary of 9/11. There are quite a few television remembrances being shown. If you weren't affected, be thankful. If you were, my heart and prayers go out to you. Let's all reflect and remember the lessons that we have learned as a result of that day. America is a strong country and we move on, but we are ultimately shaped by everything that takes place in our conveluted history. Till next time, peace and blessings!

Copyright September 7, 2011 by Pamela Cole Thorpe

Reality Television

I am not sure when we became so obsessed with other people's business but we have, at an alarming degree. On any given day at any given hour we can be transported smack dab into the middle of someone's life. Their lives can be more volatile, glamourous, or over the top than our own. Whatever the case, we have become enthralled in the lives of people we will probably never meet or who will never ever impact our own lives. We anticiapte their next stupid decision, we scream at the TV, we update our FB statuses, and we chat about the show the next day with our co-workers and friends.

Why has reality television become so popular? I think it is because it allows us to escape our own mundane everyday lives. We are fascinated by the ordinariness of someone who is supposed to all that and a bag of chips. We can't believe some of the stuff other people do. We champion the perceived underdog. Maybe we are simply bored because television has reduced its offerings to this BS programming and we tune in because there are no other meaningful options. (Now we all know we could turn off the boob tube and do something else, right?)

So what show is your vice? Why do you like it? My favs are Run's House and Top Chef. I tune into the Real Housewives of Atlanta, as well as the TO Show and Daddy's Girls.  Sometimes I am disappointed(RHof ATL) and sometimes pleasantly surprised (TO Show). I have my favorite personalities that I love to hate and hate to love. We all do.

NeNe keeps it real but is she really the Joneses? I think not. Women in Atlanta should be pissed that these women were chosen to represent the elite of the Peach State. Why is Kim even on the show? Did Sheree really wait seven years to get a huge divorce settlement? I could go on. Who knew Terrell  was not just an arrogant showboating athlete? I love the episode when he returns home to confront his dad and sees his ailing grandmother who is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. We get to see a human who is humble and emotional. The Simmons family is so down to earth. I love how they choose to show their emotional highs and lows in a mature way. They have fun with each other and support one another. I think their representation is a good one because we hardly ever get to see African Americans loving and supporting each other on television. Let's face it, this may be the only education others get to see of a true American family of color(we can include the Obamas but they are not on reality TV).

No matter what you view, remember we only see what the producers want us to see. The snapshots that get pieced together in the editing room may not be accurate. The shows are there to get ratings and make money. Don't be guillible, negative television is big bucks. Finally, remember, your reality is your perception! So it goes with reality TV, whatever perception is put out there, is the perception that we take away from watching.

Copyright: September 9, 2009 by Pamela Cole Thorpe