To those who have caused a pain in my chest...

I'm not a big fan of awards shows because I am familiar with so few of the nominees and the ones I am familiar with often don't win, so the show is not very entertaining beyond a few performances. But, this past Sunday, I watched the Grammy Awards for the first time in a few years and boy, am I glad I did!

For starters-- I loved the opening tribute to my homegirl, Aretha Franklin.  Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, Yolanda Adams and Florence Welch absolutely wore out a medley of Franklin's greatest hits followed by a taped message from The Queen of Soul, herself.

Barbara Streisand's performance of her classic "Evergreen" also was a treat. But, the show stopper was Cee Lo Green performing the clean version ("Forget You!) of his hit anthem, "F*** You!" along with Gwyneth Paltrow.

I feel totally out of touch saying this, but-- I had never heard of the song until seeing that performance Sunday night.  It is totally infectious and I have now adopted it as my favorite anthem. At least for the moment.  I just love part of the refrain-- "Although there's pain in my chest, I still wish you the best with a... F*** you!"  That pretty much sums up my feelings for... well, you can fill in the blank.

Oh, Good Evening!

Johnson and Suh earn Pro Bowl honors!

Congratulations to Wide Receiver Calvin Johnson and rookie Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh on earning starting spots on the 2011 NFC Pro Bowl squad. GO LIONS!!!

Nothing like a good spray!

This video clip from today's edition of "The Talk" on CBS is HILARIOUS!!!  Co-host Holly Robinson Peete shared the link via Twitter and it had me ROTFLMAO!!!

I can't tell you how many times something like that has happened to me.  Holly said that was not her proudest TV moment.  Maybe not.  But it was genuine and it was truly hilarious in a gut-busting way.

Oh, Good Evening!

Remembering a friend and brother

Bruce D. Weathersby
1966 - 2006

On this, World AIDS Day 2010, I am remembering my best friend Bruce Weathersby who died on November 3, 2006.  I did not know it at the time, but Bruce had lived many years with HIV.  I have spent much of the last four years trying to understand why he never told me.  Even more difficult to process-- why I didn't recognize the signs.

The Three Amigos

(L-R) Karl Sykes, Mike Woolfolk

and Bruce Weathersby

For the 15 years of our tremendous friendship, I never had a clue.  I suppose it was proof, positive, that those with HIV who take care of themselves, get medical attention and take available medications can live long and productive lives.  But once Bruce lost his good job with BellSouth (now AT&T) in Mississippi, despite a stellar record, he also lost his health benefits which cut off his access to prescription medication.

After his passing, I found revealing information that confirmed his status and documented years of psychological torment over his situation.  How he hid this from those close to him, including his family, is beyond me.  None of us had a clue, until after he was gone.

It should not have come to that for Bruce.  It should not come to that for anyone.  I pray for the day when we finally conquer HIV and end AIDS.

Related Links:

Expressing Myself - The Story Behind the Birth of "Oh, Good Evening!"

Excuses, excuses... - The Beginning of the End

Bless His Soul - The Passing of a Well and Faithful Friend

The Terrific Trio - Reflections on a Great Friendship

A Difficult Trip - Farewell to a Friend

Mother Knows Best - Insights, Advice and Comfort

Lions win in Stafford's Return

I am ghoulishly giddy on this Halloween night thanks to my beloved Detroit Lions and their big win over the visiting Washington Redskins!

Lions QB Matthew Stafford
Photo Credit: NFL.com

Quarterback Matthew Stafford made is first start since Week 1 when he suffered a separated shoulder at the hands of Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers.  Oh, what a return it was!  Stafford threw four touchdown passes-- three of them to Calvin Johnson-- and for the second straight season, handed the Redskins a nice big "L" to show for their visit to Ford Field.

While I am extremely happy to get the win, I can't-- for the life of me-- understand why Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, down by six points late in the fourth quarter, benched starting quarterback Donovan McNabb in favor of backup Rex Grossman claiming Grossman could best run the two-minute drill.  HUH?!?!  Shanahan really blew that one and Detroit's defense made him pay.  Grossman coughed up the ball after taking his first snap!  Ndamukong Suh scooped up the loose ball and danced into the endzone! Now, we're up 13.  Game over!

Lions DE Kyle Vanden Bosch sacks
Redskins QB Donovan McNabb
Photo Credit: DetroitLions.com

I'll take my wins any way that I can get them and I was fairly confident that the defense would do what it had done all game long-- give McNabb fits-- and protect the win.  But, Shanahan pretty much conceded defeat when he inserted a barely warmed up Grossman into the game at such a critical point.

Hmmm.  The Redskins are off next week giving Shanahan, McNabb and the media two weeks to let this thing simmer.  It will be interesting to see how things play out for the rest of the season.  More importantly, it will be interesting to see how things play out after the season.  My guess is that Donovan McNabb-- while standing on the sideline after being pulled from the game-- was thinking to himself, "I'm calling my agent as soon as we get back to DC and telling him to start quietly planning my departure from this comedy of errors."

Oh, Good Evening!