Hmm....What have we here

Though I haven't been wondering what Michael Jackson has been up to, it appears some have. I could speculate on a couple of things but then again maybe not. Word is - according to New York Magazine's The Cut that is - that MJ is going to launch a clothing line. See the article here. Unfortunately( or fortunately depending on how you look at things) its going to be sold exclusively at a boutique in Los Angeles. Hopefully the cut or some other fashion magazine will have pics of the new line so we can all check it out. Glad to know its not one of the things that crossed my mind.

What do you make of this....

Woman suing over thong injury

Taking a back step

So the other day I said that I didn't think Meet the Press host Tim Russert was replaceable. I personally feel like no one is going to be able to break down the complexity that is politics the way he did. Well, its no secret lots of bloggers are debating this very same topic - though some have taken it a step further. Media Bistro's FishbowlDC blogger, Patrick Gavin decided to take a look at possible replacements. See the post here. He went through the pros and cons of some obvious ones like Tom Brokaw and Dick Gregory. As I continued reading. I saw a name on the list that never crossed my mind - Gwen Ifill. Gwen Ifill from the PBS show Gwen Ifill. It never occurred to me. I've seen her show and I have seen her on MTP and always thought how great it was to see a black woman as well versed in politics as she was. But as a replacement for Tim Russert? I have to say, I think she can. She and Russert had a good professional relationship as she recalled in a post she did for The Root on Sunday. His post jogged my memory. See the article here in which she refers to him as a stand up brother. She also talk about their friendship, him hiring her and his sincere interest in finding out about things he didn't know. It was nice to seem him remembered outside of main stream news.

This will sure to play out in the next couple of days and I now can't wait to see who the permanent replacement will be.


Gavin also blogged live from the Russert memorial. Take a look at it here. I guess since its a DC blog it had lots to cover with the passing of Russert. One of his first posts this morning was a graphic from some a T-shirt made in Russert's honor.

Taking baby steps.....

If you have stopped by my blog before you may have noticed that I have done a little revamping. When I first changed the layout, I didn't like it so much but after a day of two of looking at it, its as if it has gotten a nice makeover. Its a big girl blog now. Though I still see what I write as having an identity crisis, I think the pink background didn't help my case at all.

I also plan to increase my posting in that original goal of practicing my writing. As I have said there is no real identity so we will see where this goes.

Let me know what you think........

NBA Finals...Its Final

Whew!!!!!!!!   Finally, the FAT lady has sung! I was worried when the Celtics lost Sunday night's game but then I remembered; they were headed BACK to Boston and that would probably be the most fitting way to close this thing out. Paul Pierce MVP - sweet.

 I knew this was over, shortly before the 1st half ended, when Kevin Garnett sunk an awesome awesome shot. I actually got up and headed to my laptop to surf the web... Phil Jackson even alluded to this as being pivotal in the game.  

Way to go Celtics! It's been a long time

Best Wishes in the Big Apple

You've probably heard me say this a time or two already but, part of the fun of having a blog is to be able to write about whatever tickles your fancy. Some people have narrowed down their focus a bit and have followed their passion to the fullest.  But a lot of people are like me - they haven't quite found that niche yet. 

One of my girlfriends has found her niche.  In fact that's part of her company's name - Accessory Niche. Tomorrow, she is headed to the Big Apple to take part in a competition for independent handbag designers. Big sister, Sonya and her Mom are accompanying her to this one of a kind competition. Isn't family support nice :)

Here's a shot of the winning entry .

Her bag, named the "Nubuck Hobo", is in The Best Handmade Handbag Category in the Second Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards. 

Kudos goes out to Shara - that's her name- because she is 1 of 5 selected of out 600- from around the globe. The competition takes place tomorrow, with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres being served before the 8:30 PM awards presentation.

In business since 2003, she focuses on creating classical design styles with a twist -as she puts it-of modern detail. While she has only been in business since 2003, I remember her way WAY back (in junior high, mind you) always creating, always designing something. Check out her some of her other designs on her website here. 

Good Luck again, Shara. I'll be thinking about you tomorrow. Be sure to email me or post a comment after the awards ceremony.

For more information on the Independent Handbag Designer Awards check out their site here.

Honoring the great Tim Russert...Irreplaceable

If you are into news and journalism like me, then you understand why between emptying boxes this weekend, I was glued to NBC and MSNBC. I watched ALL and I mean ALL  of the coverage on Tim Russert. When I posted news of his sudden death on Friday, it had just reached the internet so there wasn't much written on him. By the time I got home from work though, it was a different story. It was all over both stations as drops here and there on the other news stations. 

Don't ask me why, I have never met the man, but I was truly saddened by this. I did watch his show and I still remember when he wrote Florida Florida Florida on the little white erase board. Someone left a similar one with his name on it outside the studio.  Talk about tugging at the heart. Matt Lauer was part of the saturday edition of the Today Show and when he said, "Pal, go get 'em". I lost it a bit. I did lose it sunday though when Meet the Press started and  Tom Brokaw said this is a celebration". Wow. I repeat I did not know this man. Part of what made his show so interesting to me was the way he approached his interviews and how he always seemed to make sense of politics that didn't. I always came away with a better understanding after seeing a topic discussed on his show.  This year's election coverage will truly be unfamiliar without him. I am thinking Meet the Press should stop here and have another show with a different name. I don't think anyone will be able to Rake 'em over like Russert. Truly Irreplaceable!

My sadness of the situation changed though this morning thought. The Today show had an extensive interview with his son, Luke. He was all smiles and acknowledged all that was great about his Dad. He spoke with grace and elegance and even gave Matt Lauer a laugh or two. See the video below. 

Ahhhh............To Be At the Top of Your Game

When I decided to start blogging, my main goal was just to have a forum to write. To not lose the skill. And when I was ready to hit the pavement in search of  THAT  writing gig -be it freelance or otherwise,  I would be able to hit the ground running, ready to work.   I wasn't sure what I wanted to write about, because I love a LOT of things - a LOT. I love entertainment a lot, I love fashion a lot, and I love beauty (if you saw the counter space in my bathroom you would know this was definitely true - product junkie til I die). In addition, I had come across several blogs that were really doing it and I guess lack of confidence had me thinking I couldn't compete. So I decided I would just write about nothing in particular. Of course nothing in particular doesn't draw traffic, which we now know can translate into big bucks. Blogging has become mainstream and there is no shortage of those who have decided to follow the trend. Some of my favorite blogs have found their niche and have built a nice following to suit.  Entertainment blogs like Young Black and Fabulous and Bossip, fashion blog I Like Her Style and beauty blogs like Afrobella and Shake Your Beauty have all receive national nods for their blogs. I Like Her Style was recently featured in the May issue of Essence magazine (p. 92, to be exact) as part of their work and wealth series. She gave herself a pat on the back here. 

Another example of how ingrained in our society bloggers have become - not to mention the lucrative benefits is Perez Hilton. Friday, the Los Angeles Times put the spotlight on Hilton's (a.k.a Mario Lavandeira) success in their How I Made It section of the Business pages.   Not sure if you have to get an account with them to read the article, but here is the link. Hilton talks about how he began blogging as a hobby and why he chose to focus on Hollywood. I am sure getting sued by New York Post gossip section, Page Six didn't hurt either. The article says advertisers pay as much as 54K to run a one day- yep you read correctly ONE DANG DAY ad package on his site.... Is this only news to me or is it just a well kept secret.

I started this blog as a hobby so we will see. 

Sad news, Thought Provoking news and just plain old FYI

Happy Friday to you all.... Here's a couple of stories that I found interesting. In addition it allows me to showcase some of my favorite spots for news and the like. Enjoy....

•  Meet the Press moderator Tim Russert has died. He was 58. See early reports here.
  
• In other political news, on a story that broke earlier this week, various bloggers are seething at Fox News for a story they did in which they referred to Michelle Obama as a baby mama. Poor judgement my ass......Check out the coverage of this ignorance as expressed in the opinions of writers at  The Daily Voice, The Huffington Post and Afrobella's . I would place a link to an urban dictionary but I don't to insult meh readers. 
  
• Sharon Tate's killer wants to get out of jail........ so she can die.. It says she is seeking a 'compassionate' release from prision...Wonder where that compassion was when she killed Tate. See the article here (taken from CNN's website). Damn bold if you ask me!
• The people who tied their son to a tree for being disobedient, could be looking at murder charges. See the article here from the Fayetteville Observer
• In sports, I am so feeling the way the Boston Celtics are playing in the NBA finals.They are up 3-1. See ESPN's coverage here in an article titled Into Thin Air. Fitting, don't you think? I don't want to get too excited cuz the fat lady hasn't sung as yet but if you're a fan, you can't help but feel excited about this one....Go Boston!!!!
  
• In Business news, Shaquille O'Neal is trying to make the transition smooth. See this article in the Orlando Sentinel. I always liked him. 
  
• Coming soon (July 11, to be exact) to an AT&T store near you Apple plans to release a new iPhone - at a cheaper rate nonetheless. The iPhone blog recently did posts on why you should and shouldn't upgrade to the new iPhone 3G.  I love a balance. 

And last but not least if you haven't heard this piece of news by now...sit first because you WILL be shocked...R ruh (that's R&B artist, R. Kelly for you non-listeners) has been acquitted of all charges. What did you say, "Blow you over with a feather"? Yea, I was shocked too! I had to check several credible news sources before I shared it with others. I am sure this is not the end of this, but this is where we are today 13 June, 2008. (Article taken from MSNBC)

Have a good weekend!