I'm going home to Detroit on October 12 to visit my mother and sister. The Lions are hosting the Buffalo Bills that Sunday so I couldn't resist the temptation to secure tickets to the game. eBay is a wonderful thing! I got a pair of Club Level tickets at Ford Field in Section 332 for less than $200.
Now, I just hope Detroit is winning by then because I hate going to a game and seeing them lose!
Is Aaron McGruder having what his main character Huey Freeman describes as "a nigga moment?" What's up with his not wanting to communicate with the folks who syndicate his comic strip about when he'll return from his sabbatical to recharge his creative juices? I just read an article in The Washington Post that an NABJ colleague shared with our listserv and I'm just scratching my head.
I'm wondering what's so difficult about at least giving his editor an update? If he wants more time off, why not ask for it the right way? Has Hollywood gone completely to his head making him think he's above treating his business partners with the same respect he would expect? I'll admit, the television version of The Boondocks is da bomb! I love the show and bought the first season DVD as soon as it hit stores. Cartoon Network renewed the show for another season on Adult Swim and I hear a movie is in the works. That's all great. But, the strip is where it all started. The strip, if you ask me, is the bread and butter. The strip is what makes the TV show and movie possible. I sincerely hope he's not going to kick that to the curb and silence that sharp political and social commentary voice.
There hasn't been a lot to celebrate in New Orleans over the last 13 months. Hurricane Katrina did her best to destroy the Crescent City in August 2005. And while the city is doing her best to come back, New Orleans remains a long way from being back to normal. Most of that is bad. Inside the Louisiana Superdome last night, not being back to normal was exactly what football fans wanted. Normal would have meant going to see the Aints play on Monday night.
I was fortunate to be invited to an exclusive kickoff reception in Atlanta for the upcoming 2nd Annual Turks and Caicos International Film Festival. Approximately 700 people gathered at the Sun Trust Plaza Building on Saturday night to enjoy cocktails, hors d'oeuvers, a little conversation and a lot of people watching.
Her plan might have worked had Misick not met LisaRaye the following night at the awards dinner. This photo of me with LisaRaye, which made all of my male co-workers extremely jealous, was taken at that dinner. Do I need to say any more about why the then honorable chief minister instantly became the honorable chief smitten-ster?
The Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers each came into today's game looking for their first win. Green Bay got it. GB 31 DET 24 Which means, the Lions are now alone at the bottom of the NFC North standings, down 2 games (really, 2.5 games) to the first place and undefeated Chicago Bears.
Our season may be over already after just three weeks.
Oh, Good Evening.
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While gasoline prices are dropping- the national average for regular unleaded is $2.44 per gallon at the time of this writing- there is no denying that pain at the pump is causing a great deal of pain in the pocketbook for many Americans. Whether you drive a super efficient, match box sized car like the Chevy Aveo or a gargantuan, gas thirsty HUMMER H2. Gasoline-electric hybrid models help improve efficiency, but testing shows the gains to be not as good as carmakers tout. Then, you have alternative fuels, like the ethanol based E85.
EfficiencyFord Crown Victoria
Dodge RAM 1500 4x4
Because E85 does not produce the same amount of energy as gasoline, vehicles burn more E85 to get the same performance as burning gasoline. For the vehicles listed above, drivers would pay between $202 and $492 more for fuel each year. In terms of competition, my choice would be clear- E85 loses.
In his 2006 State of the Union Address to Congress and the American people, President George W. Bush outlined The Advanced Energy Initiative which included calling for more research in developing "cutting edge methods of producing ethanol" from corn and other materials. "Our goal is to make this new kind of ethanol practical and competitive within six years," he said.
That is a fantastic goal, but meaningless to the average consumer if automakers can't figure out a way to produce engines that are, at the very least, as efficient running on E85 as they are running on gasoline. Engines that run more efficiently on E85 would be ideal.
So, back to the question "What's in it for me?" The facts are very clear: E85 is not significantly cheaper than gasoline; E85 is not as readily available as gasoline; E85 does not burn as efficiently as gasoline; and it would cost me more to burn E85 versus gasoline each year. E85 may be the smart environmental choice, but it clearly is not the smart economic choice for the average consumer. At least, not right now when, for most people, every penny counts.
Oh, Good Evening!
On August 19th, a special preview screening of Gridiron Gang was held at the 31st Annual National Association of Black Journalists Convention in Indianapolis. Unfortunately, I could not attend because I joined friends at the simultaneous preview screening of Idlewild. So, I had to wait until GG hit theaters in September. I went to see the film Wednesday night before leaving Atlanta on my way home from vacation. While it's no Oscar contender, it's a good film. I found myself fully engaged in this combination Boyz N The Hood and The Longest Yard movie.
Gang members end up in a California juvenile prison where their two detention officers convince officials to let them start a football program to help instill discipline, commitment and pride in the young men who, up to this point, have known nothing but gang banging and selling drugs.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (Walking Tall, Scorpion King) and Xibit (Pimp My Ride) star along with several young newcomers. Gridiron Gang is based on a true story and as the end credits roll, you get to see clips of home video from the real coach and some of the players.
If you like touching drama mixed with some hard hitting football game sequences, you'll love Gridiron Gang. It's a touchdown on my scoreboard.
Oh, Good Evening!
While riding around town during my recent visit to Las Vegas, I commented to my brother about the abundance of high rise condominium buildings under construction. They are literally sprouting up from the desert like weeds. To which, my brother said, "yes, all surrounded by the state bird."
I must admit, as much as I love cars, I've never been much of a Lexus fan. Toyota's luxury division has always produced fairly good looking vehicles but they've always been too much luxury, not enough road enthusiasm to me. The LS430 has always been a beautiful sedan with a plush, executive look and feel to it. That's probably what that car should be. But as you moved down the line to the smaller Lexus models, they all contained a bit too much of the LS model's DNA. The ES has never been a favorite and I have never liked the SC. The IS- while sporty- never appealed to me either, though the new second generation of the model is a big improvement. The GS, on the other hand, has always intrigued me but I had never had a chance to really take a good look at one, or more importantly, test drive the model.
Say hello to Manny! That's my father and his beautiful 2006 GS430, both in front of his northwest Las Vegas home. If I didn't care much for Lexus before, I do now. Folks, in the words of South Park's Eric Cartman, this car is "super sweet!"
I missed the premier of Rachael Ray's new talk show but caught the second episode this morning while packing to leave Las Vegas. The perky little Food Network host/cook is even perkier on her new show, but that's what makes Rachael, Rachael.
I was enjoying a succulent dry-aged New York sirloin at America, a restaurant at New York-New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, when this woman sits down at the bar a few stools away, yelling into her cell phone. It became clear to me that she was talking to her significant other whom she apparently left at another bar after some type of disagreement.The young woman apparently could tell through her perephial vision tha I had turned to look at her and was none too pleased that she was disturbing my solitude, distracting me from enjoying my juicy, very well prepared steak. The next thing I knew, she was apologizing, which I appreciated. However, I did not acknowledge the apology with so much as a look because I didn't want what came anyway- further
explanation of the problem.
"I got married a year and a half ago in Las Vegas and now it looks like I'll get divorced when I get home from being in Las Vegas," she said through tears. TMI! I just want to enjoy my dinner!
Then, the husband calls back and it starts all over again. I tried to ignore her but couldn't resist taking the photo and sharing. After another minute or so of yelling into the phone, the young woman asks her hubby, "What do you want me do to get you to come back to the room with me?!?"
"Just tell me, I'll do anything," she continues. Then she jumps off the stool, grabs her cigarettes and says, "I'm leaving this bar because I'm sitting her yelling at you." This happens just as John, the bartender, asks me if she's bothering me because if she is I have to kick her out.
The girl must be a mind reader. I finished my steak in peace.
Oh, Good Evening!
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Cirque du Soleil is taking over Las Vegas and I don't think anybody is complaining. There are five Cirque shows on The Strip, each at an MGM-Mirage owned resort in its own custom built theater. New York-New York Hotel and Casino is home to Zumanity: Another Side of Cirque du Soleil. And, when they say another side, they mean 180 degrees from the staging of other Cirque productions.
Women- and some men- in the audience get chills when the "Cuban Candy Bar," Alex Castro, struts on stage. He tosses roses in the audience then proceeds to do a sexy strip tease right down to his birthday suit. No full frontal nudity, though. Several well placed model heads keep you from seeing the nuts on this Almond Joy. I heard a few sighs of disappointment at the conclusion of that act as Alex and Crew descended down the round elevator that is built into the stage, one of four. Later in the show, Alex returns in a skimpy bathing suit but does little more than lay on the floor with the other cast members in what becomes the big Eyes Wide Shut style orgy finale. He's a stripper- no more, no less.
Another interesting act is the two aqua nymphs exploring their sexuality in a water bowl routine. This was probably the the most sensuous act in the show. It was interesting watching the two acrobats perform in the confines of the bowl which isn't even body length in diameter.
I just finished watching the Lions vs. Bears game at a bar in Las Vegas. My brother found a new joint, owned by a guy from Detroit, to check out and the atmosphere was pretty cool because literally everybody there was wearing either a Lions, Tigers, or Pistons jersey to show their allegence to Detroit. There were a few Bears fans in the house and it turned out to be their day because the Lions were horrible! No other way to put it. The final score drives home my point-- DET 7 CHI 34.I'm sitting in a Las Vegas sports bar watching the Detroit Lions play the Chicago Bears and something that bugs the crap out of me when I'm in my living room is ten times worse over the sound system here. WHY ARE COMMERCIALS SO MUCH LOUDER THAN PROGRAMMING?!?!?!
WHY?!?! Somebody please explain that to me?
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To say I am having a ball on this trip to Las Vegas would be an understatement. I've driven some great cars from GM, seen a great concert show from a Prince look alike and now, I've sat through a casino version of the longest running game show in television history. My brother and I went to see The Price Is Right LIVE at Bally's this afternoon and it was worth every penny of the ticket price!
You don't get Bob Barker at The Price Is Right LIVE. We had veteran game show host Todd Newton guiding us through the fun. Newton has hosted such shows as Hollywood Showdown and Whammy! The All New Press Your Luck, both of which aired on the Game Show Network. He was great on the Bally's stage. Our announcer is another veteran of game shows. Randy West's voice has been heard on Hollywood Showdown, Supermarket Sweep and The Weakest Link, among other shows. He was absolutely hilarious during the audience warmup before the show started. "I took a Viagra last night and it got stuck in my throat," one joke started. "I had a stiff neck all night long!" That joke had my brother rolling. That's West (far left) in the photo, taken after the show, with Newton (far right), me and the two show models who played the "Barker's Beauties" roles. I'm telling you, this was as close to the real thing as you get.
Las Vegas is famous for celebrity look alikes and knockoff shows. Last night, I saw one of the best imitations of Prince you will ever see.
I arrived in Las Vegas Thursday night and first thing on Friday afternoon, I was at The Drive with my father for my GM performance cars and SUVs experience.
Our first stop was the off-road course. I was eager to give Dad a ride in a HUMMER H2 and me the chance to see what they can are truly capable of doing in off-road situations. This photo shows a couple of the smaller but equally capable H3 models on the course. The side inclines are 40-degrees left and right. When driving through them, you feel as if the vehicle is going to tip over! Then, there's the 60-degree incline hill. When you hit this thing and start going up, all you see is the sky, as if you're about the launch in the Space Shuttle. It is practically straight up. You reach the top and level off momentarily before starting the ride down. Our instructor told me to keep steady pressure on the brakes and ease her on down the hill. Dad got a little scared in the back seat when all he could see was the ground below but the H2 did exactly what the brochures and salesman say it will. She also handled the rocks, logs, and 16-inch step with ease. Dad was impressed and so was I. But, I'm not sure I'll be taking my personal HUMMER off-roading. (LOL)
Next, I took on the venerable Corvette Convertible. It was quite windy on Friday so they wouldn't let us drop the tops on the roadsters, but who cares when you're driving a Vette! It's all about feeling the power of that 400 HP, 400 lb-ft of torque engine! And, boy was it sweet! The two laps went by quickly, but they were well worth $4!
That damn Michael Knight on Bravo's Project Runway can make some hott clothes! I just finished watching last night's show on my DVR and once again, Knight amazed me. More importantly, he once again impressed the judges. He didn't win the challenge, but he finished a close second. They never tell you who actually finished second, but I could tell based on the judges comments. And, while I'm no fashion design expert, I know what I think looks good and what doesn't and the judges and I were in sync on this one.
Throughout the course of this season, Knight has been praised for his stellar designs and impeccable construction. He has wowed designer Michael Kors to the point I'm thinking Kors might hire the guy, if he doesn't win. ELLE Magazine Fashion Director Nina Garcia loves his work- week in, week out- and she's not easy to win over. Host and executive producer Heidi Klum likes his designs so much, I'm thinking she might consider hanging out with Knight if she weren't already married to singer Seal and pumping out babies for him. OK, that's probaby a stretch.
It is truly amazing how Knight and his fellow contestants crank out designs on Project Runway. The challenges are demanding and seem impossible. Can you imagine coming up with a sketch in 15 minutes, hearing that your budget is $100, having 30 minutes to shop for your black and white fabric which you have to use every last bit of, and only having one day to pull it all off?
Right around 3:45 this afternoon, somebody in the newsroom read aloud an urgent that had just crossed the Associated Press wire. "Whitney Houston has filed for divorce," said my co-worker. I immediately jumped to look over her shoulder at the story. It was, indeed, right there in black and white on her computer screen. My response, "it's about time!"
September 11, 2001 is one of those dates that you will always remember exactly where you were and what you were doing when the terrorist attacks happened in New York City.I was awakened by the telephone shortly before 9:00 AM on that morning. It was my mother calling from Detroit to see if I was watching the news. I turned on my television and changed the channel from ESPN, I went to sleep the night before after watching the late night edition of SportsCenter, and turned to NBC's Today which is what Mom was watching. As Mom was explaining that a plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers, I was hearing Katie Couric and Matt Lauer talk about the pictures being broadcast at the time-- black smoke billowing from the tower after a plane had crashed into it. I thought it had been a small plane of some kind and with few details available at that time-- the crash had just happened minutes ago-- I waited for more information. Then suddenly, I saw another airplane come into view. This aircraft didn't appear to be a small personal aircraft, but a commercial airliner. In a matter of seconds, this second plane flew right into the other WTC tower. Clearly, something was not right. I said into the phone, "Mom, I have to go!" I hung up, jumped in the shower, got dressed, and raced to work.
As the morning progressed, a third plane was crashed into The Pentagon outside Washington, DC; a fourth plane was believed to be headed for the U. S. Capitol Building or possibly The White House but crashed into the ground in Pennsylvania; and back in New York City, less than two hours after the initial impacts, the World Trade Center towers collapsed. These were all devastating images to watch as thousands of people were killed in seseless acts of terrorism and other died in the aftermath.
Within months we saw many dramatic television shows write the attacks into their storylines in tasteful and sensitive ways. And now, five years later, we're beginning to see feature films related to the attacks. United 93 and World Trade Center, the most prominent of the projects. While both of these films have received stellar reviews for their storytelling, accurate depiction of events, and sensitivity to the material, I haven't been able to bring myself to view either because I'm just not ready to relive the horror. I don't know that I will ever be ready. It's just too painful. I made the mistake of turning on Today this morning and upon seeing the video of the hijacked planes flying into the towers mixed with live images of people visiting Ground Zero for today's memorial activities, found myself sobbing- almost uncontrollably- as if the attacks had just happened.
Life will never be the same after 9/11. As a society, we now look at people of Middle Eastern descent with suspicious eyes. Justified? Maybe. Does that make it right? No. We see all Muslims as radicals and threats to our global safety. Justifed? Maybe. Does that make it right? No. Air travel is hugely more inconvenient, with extensive and exhaustive new security guidelines. Justified? You bet! Does that mean we have to like it? No. We won't even talk about the psychological effects of 9/11 on our soceity-- young, old, and in between.
As we mark the fifth anniversary of the attacks, we pray for those killed and for their families who live on without their loved ones. We pray for our troops who continue to wage the War on Terror, however misguided some say the battle is. We pray for our President who believes he is making decisions in the best interest of the United States of America and the world. And, we pray for those who would wage terror on America and other parts of the world, for they are the ones who really need God's help.
Oh, Good Evening.
From what I've read, The Drive offers two driving experiences to those who visit. One is a sporty track where you get to drive some of GM's hot muscle cars like the Chevy Corvette, Cadillac CTS-V and Pontiac Solstice through tight curves, and chicanes.
Many people have a hard time understanding why anyone would want to drive a HUMMER H2 particularly now that gasoline prices are sky high and the H2's fuel efficiency is basement level low. But if you like rugged vehicles and the prospect of going places that most vehicles can't, the H2 is a dream drive. Of course, I think it's a dream drive on-road, too. The H3, while smaller in size, is the H2's performance equal in virtually every way.
In terms of sheer fun, GM is offering some great options for car enthusiasts. Topping the list is the Corvette. I haven't driven one of these beauties since I was a teenager. Boy, was that a thrill. I think I was 17 or 18, home from school for the summer when one of my father's friends came by in his new, shiny red Corvette. I was literally drooling over the car and I asked the gentleman if he would take me for a ride. His response was, "you know how to drive, go ahead." And, he tossed me the keys. I drove that car around Southfield, Michigan for a good 30 minutes with the biggest grin on my face. When I returned home, it was difficult to give the keys back.
While paging through the current issue of Road & Track magazine over the weekend, I came across this photo/illustration of a possible new offering from Volkswagen. The related write-up talks about plans to bring back the sporty VW Scirocco to the U.S. market which would be good for VW since the Scirocco was pretty good seller in the 70's and 80's.
General Motors has announced its new 100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty for up to five years on all 2007 model cars, SUVs, and light duty trucks. For most models, this is a big increase from the former three year/36,000 mile or four year/50,000 mile warranties previously offered. GM says it now offers the best warranty coverage in the industry.
For the true NFL fan, it's hard for any network to screw up coverage of a game. We watch for the football. Not the announcers; not the graphics; not the theme music; not the studio hosts. We watch for the hard hitting action that is pro football at its best, pure and simple. That said, NBC's Sunday Night Football is no better or no worse than NFL brodacasts on Fox, CBS, or ESPN. Next to join the fray-- the NFL Network, which begins live game broadcasts on Thanksgiving night.
Oh, Good Evening!
I am back in football heaven! The Lions are hosting the defending NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field and Detroit is wearing their black jerseys. As you can see in the photo, I am appropriately dressed to match. (This is part of my annual ritual. I own home, road, alternate, and throwback jerseys in various forms so that I can be appropriately dressed each week.)
I'm pumped. And, so are the Lions. We're only midway through the second quarter and already, Detroit has blocked two field goal attempts, forced and recovered a fumble, and jumped out to a 3-0 lead, which Seattle just matched by converting their third field goal attempt. Don't get me wrong, I'm not celebrating by any means. But I'm encouraged by the team's intensity. GO LIONS!
While it would be easy for me to say, "same result, different season," it really isn't. Yes, Detroit lost the game, but the defense was awesome, and the offense will blow up as soon as quarterback Jon Kitna gets in sync with his primary receivers. Kevin Jones is showing signs of of the form he had during the second half of his rookie season, and the offensive line looks improved. They just have to get the ball in the end zone! 
CONGRATULATIONS to the Detroit Shock for winning the 2006 WNBA Championship! The Motor City is title town once again after the Shock defeated the defending champion Sacramento Monarchs in Game Five of the finals.
Point guard Deanna Nolan was named WNBA Finals MVP after scoring 24 points in Game Five and averaging 18 points for the series.
It's NFL Kickoff Weekend and I could not be happier! It's been a rough seven months since Super Bowl XL ended on February 5th. I was cool through the conclusion of the NBA Playoffs, but baseball is not my sport so I've been like a crack addict in rehab with no pigskin action to watch.Remember, these rules are in effect thru the conclusion of Super Bowl XLI on February 4, 2007. The penalty for violating any of these rules is automatic humiliation by verbal lashing.
GO LIONS!
Oh, Good Evening!
Okay. I didn't like the debut of the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric on Tuesday but I gave the newscast another chance on Wednesday and I'm not on the road to conversion.
Day Two of the Couric era featured an exclusive interview with President Bush at The White House. I know the networks periodically land one-on-one interviews with the leader of the free world-- Brian Williams with NBC had an exclusive with President Bush in New Orleans last week-- but Katie getting Bush on her second day in the chair left me thinking The White House played along with an effort to make her look more like the network command anchor, kind of like those on the West Wing payroll work to make Mister Bush look more like a president in control on a daily basis. But, more power to her and the Eye for landing this week's presidential exclusive.
My big disappointment and concern about Day Two was that for the second straight night, there were no reports from any correspondents of color in the newscast. No Byron Pitts; no Russ Mitchell: no Joie Chen; no Vince Gonzales. It was like eating bland fried chicken from Piccadilly when the spicy variety from Popeye's is so much better. And, then came the announcement that Rush Limbaugh would be the featured "freeSpeech" commentator on Thursday. Good grief! (Sigh!) Maybe she'll invite Rev. Al Sharpton to do Friday's segment.
Oh, Good Evening!
Justice (Wednesdays, 9pm on FOX): Jerry Bruckheimer Television produces this high speed, high tech legal drama that focuses on a high profile law firm where the specialty is defending clients in high profile cases. Yeah, I know that sounds like most other legal dramas. The hook here-- you don't know how the crime was actually committed until the end. I LOVE IT!!! Give it a look. Stars include Victor Garber (Alias), Kerr Smith (E-Ring), Eamonn Walker (OZ), and Rebecca Mader (The Devil Wears Prada).
Vanished (Mondays, 9pm on FOX): A U. S. Senator's wife mysteriously disappears from a charity dinner in her honor and the search to find her will take all season. It will also reveal a series of other secrets that add more mystery and intrigue to the story. It's got elements of 24, which I think is the best damn drama show period, that make this one work for me, too. Stars include Gale Harold (Queer as Folk) as Special Agent Graham Kelton, John Allen Nelson (24) as Senator Jeffrey Collins, and Joanne Kelly (Slings and Arrows) as the mysterious and missing Sarah Collins.
Other shows on my TiVo Season Pass List:
Oh, Good Evening!
I'm not sure what's up with the Detroit Shock and their inconsistent play, but the women were on point in games two and four of the 2006 WNBA Finals. I hope they come home to the Palace of Auburn Hills with the same fire in their bellies so they can hoist the trophy after Saturday's deciding Game Five.
