Lessons form 2 Great Shows

 

Lessons from 2 Great Shows

 

 

We all have favorite shows. I don't watch a lot of television, but there are a few shows that I enjoy. Did you know that you can learn valuable life lessons from television. There are some lessons I have learned from 2 great shows:

 

"Scandal"

 

This is my favorite show. What lessons have I learned from Olivia and her team?

1. Trust no one.

2. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

3. Decide what is important.

4. Love is worth fighting for.

5. People are only human. They make mistakes.

 

What invaluable lessons have I learned from these business sharks?

 

"Shark Tank"

1. Know the market for your product.

2. Know your product.

3. Always pay yourself.

4. Have a plan.

5. Know how much money it will take to make your product sell.

 

 

 

 



Monica Lewinsky in the News Again

 

 

Monica Lewinsky is in the news again. "Personal" items from Lewinsky's time as a White House intern are being auctioned off, and it is believed that they will bring a pretty hefty sum. Huh...Poor Monica, will she ever escape the Clinton Incident? I guess not. I will admit that I was wondering what had happened to the infamous intern that led to the impeachment of a president. In fact, I had recently done an internet search to see if she had married and settled down. No, she hasn't. Lewinsky remains single (And, there is nothing wrong with that!).

 

A smear was left on both Former President Clinton's life and that of Lewinsky. However, the former president has risen above the incident and he continues to be one of the nation's favorite president. Well, he is definitely one of my all-time favorite presidents!

 

As for Ms. Lewinsky, I wish her the best. I know it must be difficult to try to live a private life after such world-wide attention. 

 

Men and Food Stamps

 

The debate over food stamps rages on. Government official want to cut food stamps, regulate what people purchase with them, or make community service mandatory. Today, we were having a discussion about men and food stamps. Should men be allowed to receive food stamps? Is this an insult to their dignity or should they receive equal rights like women? 

Super Moon

Last night we experienced what they call a "Super Moon". The moon was extremely close to the Earth and it was full. I was very beautiful. I didn't get to get that great photo shot I was hoping for because it was too dark by the time it came up. I did get to take some pictures of the sun going down.

Paula Deen Fired from Food Network

The reign of the Queen of Southern Cooking has come to any end. Food Network recently announced that it would not be renewing Paula Deen’s contact when it expired at the end of June. Deen was a feature chef on the network for 11 years. She was known for her big smile, southern charm, and love of rich food. So, what could end such a glorious reign?

Paula Deen got her start with her catering business in 1989, The Bag Lady, which she ran from her home kitchen. Her next venture was The Lady and Sons Restaurant. Deen opened this restaurant in Savannah, Georgia in 1996 with her two sons, Bobby and Jamie Deen.  Like The Bag Lady, her restaurant was a success. The Lady and Sons gained nationwide attention when it received the “Most Memorable Meal” award in 1999 from USA Today.

Paula Deen’s next move was to begin publishing cook books. These too were extremely successful. They led to Paula’s introduction to television. She landed a spot on the Food Network in 2002. As a result, Paula Deen became a household word. It seemed nothing could stop this Southern belle’s reign over Food Network and Southern cuisine.

Deen’s downfall came after allegations of racism. The cooking star was accused of using racial jokes and slurs at her restaurant in Savannah. Deen recently admitted that she was guilty of the accusations. In response, Food Network decided not to renew the celebrity chef’s contact. 

As an avid fan of both the Food Network and Paula Deen, I am shocked to learn of the charismatic chef’s fall from grace. I would have never guessed that behind that beautiful smile was a darker side. I too am a Southerner, and I am also an African American. I know that using racism was a part of the era in which Deen was raised. However, I am shocked to learn of Deen’s behavior. I would have thought that in this day and time she was be above such behavior. There have been several African American guests on Deen’s show like Pat and Gina Neely. So, I wouldn’t have thought that she was a racist. Is she a racist or a victim of the times in which she was raised? Only Paula Deen can answer this question.

Should Food Network have fired Paula Deen? Some fans believe the famous chef should have been given a second chance. Others are in agreement with the network’s decision. I, for one, know that in order to protect themselves the Food Network could not keep Paula Deen after her admission. Would I have continued to watch her show in she had remained on Food Network? Although I loved her and her food, I have to admit I would not.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/paula-deen/bio/index.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/paula-deen-issues-video-apology-racial-slur-article-1.1379262

 

Things We Do for Love

Today one of my friends admitted that she married her husband in a desperate attempt to get her ex-boyfriend to rescue her at the altar. Sad to say, this didn't happen. She got married just to spite her ex-boyfriend. Needless to say, she regrets it. I even know women who have faked being pregnant just to keep a man. Read:  http://www.helium.com/items/2345041-reasons-why-some-women-fake-pregnancies Would you do the same thing? What desperate measures have you taken to save a dying relationship?

Law of Attraction

We were having a discussion the other day at work about the things that men prefer. Most black women claim that they are not as attracted to lighter complexioned men. However, a few of us observed that men tended to have the opposite preference. Okay, we are women, so we can only go from each of our personal experiences. What do you think? Are black men more attracted to dark-skinned women or lighter skinned women. Or, does it matter at all. I would love to do an article on this. Let me know what you think.

Black hair: Don't Touch

Sistas, has anyone asked you lately to touch your hair? If they have you are not alone. People of all races seem to be fascinated with our hair. It doesn't matter if it is your natural hair, braids, extensions, or even a wig. Other races are especially fascinated with our hair. And, like the lady in the article below stated, I have even caught people of other races trying to touch my hair when I was not looking. What's the big deal? It is only hair-real or fake. It is just hair. And, yes, black women can have naturally long hair. And, yes, other races also wear wigs and hair extensions. Sistas, you are not alone. No, I don't think that certain grades of hair are better than others. "There is no such thing to me as "good hair". All of our hair is good. If we take care of our hair, it can grown and be just as health as other races. Would you let some stranger touch your hair?

http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/07/25/touching.natural.black.hair/index.html

How to Choose the Right Color for Your Dark Skin Tone: A Black Woman’s Guide

By: LaWanda Shields

If you are like me, you want to look good in everything you wear. One ways to accomplish this is to choose the right color to compliment your skin tone. This is sometimes easier said than done. Again, if you are like me, you have read countless articles on how to decide which colors are your best colors. So, what’s the problem?

The problem is that these articles are written for people who are fair skinned. If you have darker colored skin, these color guides that talk about “cool” skin tones and “warm” skin tones are not for you. Instead of “cool” and “warm” colors, I like to use the different seasons. The following is a guide to help women with darker skin find their right color match.

*Spring –lighter complexions (Vanessa Williams, Alicia Keyes, Leona Lewis, Ida Ljungqvist)

If you have lighter colored skin, you can wear “cool” colors and “warm” colors successfully. Your best color choices are earth tones, pastels, and metallics. Earth tones include browns, olives, golds, and burgundy. Pastels look especially good on you. Pastels include peach, lilac, powder blue, and coral. Metallic colors include gold, bronze, and silver. The metallic colors that compliment your skin tone the best are gold and silver. 

*Fall-medium skin complexions (Halle Berry, Rihanna, Zoe Saldana)

For those of you who have medium colored skin, you can also successfully go between “cool” colors and “warm” colors. However, earth tones and warm, rich colors are your best choices. You can use all shades of browns, olives, emerald greens, reds, oranges, golds, and blues like turquoise and sapphire. When choosing pastel colors, choose the richer versions of the color. The lighter colors do not highlight your skin tone as well as the darker ones do. Your best metallic colors are gold and bronze.

*Winter-dark skin complexions (Naomi Campbell, Alek Wek, Yaya Da Costa)

Your skin is of the richest hue. You should choose colors that highlight your beautiful skin tone. Believe it or not, pastels are your friend. Use pastel colors like lilac and powdered blue. You are also blessed to be able to wear all the different types of metallics. Your best metallic colors are going to be bronze and silver.

Picking the right colors to wear can make the difference between looking okay and looking fantastic. So, if you have darker colored skin, don’t get frustrated with articles that talk about people who have cool skin tones or who have warm skin tones. These don’t apply to you. The guide above provides a great way for you to identify the colors that will compliment your skin darker colored skin.

What Black Men Want From Black Women

What Black Men Want from Black Women

 

By: Lawanda Shields

Men are unique creatures. They think and act differently than we do. And, black men definitely take some figuring out. After interviewing several different black men, I discover that there were a few things that they all wanted from us as black women. This article is a list of the things on their most wanted lists. So, if you are a black woman and you are wondering what in the world black men really want, then this is the article to read.

*Attention

Men, like women, want attention whether they admit it or not. They want a woman who will spend time with them and tell them how wonderful they are. They don’t want a woman who lies, but who will take time out of their busy schedule to make them feel special. They also like it when you take some extra time to look good for them. So, some nights put up the flannel and wear something nice and leave the lights on.

*Support

Black men face a lot of challenges. Society tends to throw a lot of obstacles in their way. They need a safe haven, and they want to find it in their women. Black men want a woman who will support them and their dreams. They want someone who will tell them that they can make it in spite of the odds. Black men especially need a woman who will encourage them and lift them up.

Respect

A lot of black men don’t feel that their sistas give them the respect that they need. Yes, respect. Black men want a woman who will respect them as men, and who will honor them as the “true head of the house”. They especially want a black woman who will not embarrass them in public or who will belittle them. This is not to say that they don’t want a woman who is afraid to express herself. However, there is a time and a place for all things.

*Cut the Attitude

Black women have to learn to control their attitudes. Sure, not all black women have attitude problems, but the ones that do have branded the rest of us. It is evident by the increasing number of interracial marriages that black men are no longer settling for women who are bitter or who snap their heads off. Having a negative attitude can destroy your chances of a lasting relationship with a strong, black man.

*Hold them accountable

Black men want a woman who will hold them accountable. Yes, they want attention, support, and respect, but they also want their woman to hold their feet to the fire. Black men want someone who will tell them when they are wrong, and they want a woman to make them live up to their responsibilities. However, this should be done in private and not in front of their friends or in public.

 

Men think and act differently than we do. And, if the man in question is a black man, things can get even more complicated. Despite their uniqueness, there are a few things that they all want from black women. They want our attention, support, and respect. They want us to hold them accountable, but without all the drama.

Will Smith's "After Earth"

"After Earth" A Must See

If you haven't seen Willie Smith's new movie, "After Earth", you are really missing a great movie. Regardless of what other critics have said, it is a fantastic movie. I plan to buy it as soon as it is released on DVD and Blu-ray. I just might go see it again. This a wonderful movie for fathers and sons to go see. As African American's we need to see more movies that show us in a positive light.