Blog Request: Khloe & Lamar "Sometimes I feel like a fatherless child"

It never occurred to me to do blog requests, until I actually got a request (LOL). But I absolutely love the idea and would be more than happy to blog on any topic you would like to see talked about. So feel free to leave a request comment or email me!

And sorry for the lack of posts lately. It's about that time in the school year where the work load starts picking up and the first thing to go is my blog. Sorry :-(

Anyway, I got a request to talk about last night's premiere episode of Khloe & Lamar on E!

I have to admit that I watch all the Kardashian shows....yes its true.

It's my guilty pleasure! Aside from all the hunger for media attention that is the essence of the Kardashian family, they're alright with me. (LOL)

I for one could have neverimagined that a sex tape would result in an entire empire for not just Kim, but her entire family! It might be fair to say that her star power has surpassed that of her R&B crooner turned reality TV celebrity co-star Ray-J. ( -__- )

And though I certainly have my criticisms of the first family of reality TV and how they acquired their fame, I will reserve judgment for now.

So back to last night's premiere.

I initially was sort of irritated at the thought of yet another spin off show. I mean honestly, the Kardashians are on our small screens consistently year round. Did we not JUST close out Kourtney and Kim Take New York last week? Kardashian saturation was not putting me in a good head space.

But, I tuned in despite my better judgment, and was pleasantly surprised.

Let's face it. When you first got wind of a wedding for Khloe and Lamar you just new things would not go down unless a camera crew was there to witness. The whole situation was a quick recipe for reality TV gold. But their marriage, though only a year, has outlasted many of our expectations. But we can't say we didn't see this show coming.

My thing is, I'm a Laker fan. And anything that would potentially distract Lamar from the game was just simply not going to fly. But so far, it doesn't seem like its affected his game. Also, Khloe & Lamar is one of the few shoes to get actual NBA access to shoot footage. I wonder if LaLa will have such luck...hmm?

Anyway, last night's show I'm ashamed to say had me on the brink of tears. I know, I know I'm shaking my head right along with you. But if you didn't watch...don't judge, thanks!

The episode featured a hot button issue in our community, fatherless children.

Lamar's father Joe Odom, who is a former heroin addict popped up on Khloe and Kourtney at a book signing. This was the first time they had met. After getting acquainted and making small talk, Joe preceded to ask Khloe if it's alright if he and his new wife get a couple of tickets to the Laker game. Khloe agreed to make it happen. Things were all fine and well until Khloe mentioned the little family reunion to Lamar who was none too pleased.

Lamar expressed to Khloe that he and his father had a difficult and complicated relationship that was beyond her comprehension, and suggested that she just leave it alone. However, Khloe having lost her own father, didn't see why Lamar was being so cold and why he wouldn't even allow his Dad to come to a game. Lamar said Joe knew the terms of his and Lamar's relationship, which did not include game attendance. He felt Joe should have never popped up on Khloe. Unsatisfied with Lamar's reasoning for isolating his father, Khloe continues to push the issue; at which point Lamar makes a random phone call to Joe to show Khloe his true nature.

This is where things got misty. After what seemed to be a few minutes on the phone, Joe Odom started asking Lamar for money, tickets, shoes, etc. Lamar had already been fully supporting Joe with rent money and a monthly allowance, yet his father consistently sought out more material things from his rags to riches son. I was so hurt for Lamar. He regarded the phone call as though it was typical conversation, which was very saddening. It was as if he had become completely numb to his father soliciting money from him. Yet, you could still see he was very hurt that his father only maintained a relationship for what he could get out of it. The two had lost so many years of their relationship due to Joe's postwar drug addiction. And now that both are seemingly in a better space in their lives (Lamar's pro-ball career and Joe's sober life) Joe was more focused on using Lamar than loving him.

It's no secret that post Vietnam, soldiers were not properly taken care of to make sure they were mentally sound to return to a normal life, and many turned to drugs and alcohol to cope, resulting in a range of negative consequences for them and their families. Many ended up abandoning their responsibilities. Lamar's story is all too familiar to so many families. Lamar acknowledged his father's difficult life, but said that he was not looking for him to be a father, but to just act like he was a father. Acting like a decent human being would have sufficed. I don't want to judge Joe, because I honestly can't imagine all he has been through, but there has got to be a better way to go about having a relationship with Lamar. But does he even REALLY want a relationship?

This issue is something that can arise with many young men today growing up without a father. If you don't take the opportunity to be one when you had it, can you ever really reestablish that relationship?

Your thoughts?

Fights Over Spaghetti and the Last Clearance T-Shirt....Is This Who We Are?

This week two disturbing videos surfaced in my news feed. My heart was heavy after viewing the way young black women were portrayed and ultimately, the way they conducted themselves.

Here are the videos before I say my peace.

I don't even know how to describe my frustration. Wait....yes I do.

First let me say that I was not present at either altercation, and do not know any information other than what was displayed in the videos. Much of the commentary associated with the first video seemed to be in defense of the two young girls who were said to have been "provoked." I can see that. There was no visibly just cause for calling them animals for eating on a subway. Simply minding your own business would have prevented this situation. As someone who was verbally harassed and demeaned on a NYC subway, I understand the struggle to keep composure when pushed to the edge. I only really began to take issue with this video after I saw the second clip. There seemed to be an interesting theme, "black girls fighting=entertainment."

The girls on the subway were being harassed, yes. Any reasonable person would have been defensive, true. But what played out here, goes far beyond a mere subway scuffle, which is what made this video worthy of being but on YouTube, with over 100,000 views. It's the dynamic. Angry black women vs......whomever really. We can never get enough of that right? No one stepped in (until all hell broke loose) to mitigate the situation. Again, I say this as someone harassed on a train when again NO ONE offered so much as squeal of support. But sadly, it seems that's just the world we live in now. If it doesn't concern me, I'm keeping my mouth closed. Oh, but I will pull out this camera and have you caught out there on YouTube looking senseless. I will lend you a hand with that.

And this second video. Acting a H.A.M in a business establishment as though it were a scene from Fight Club. Punches thrown, merchandise vandalized, weaves flying every which-way. Is this who we are? I'll answer that... no! But this is how the world continues to see ALL OF US, as a result of the select few and that truly irks me. I don't say this looking down on these individuals because, again I was not there to witness the events that transpired leading up to the physical altercations, but I'm willing to bet it just wasn't that serious. And how can I blame these girls anyway. Is this not the same behavior we see aired weekly on Bad Girls Club? Basketball Wives? Jersey Shore....need I go on?

It seems that winning the title of "the baddest" reigns supreme over "the brightest," which is just stupid. I'm not sitting here waving my little judgmental finger over everyone. I had a hand in this as well. I watch these shows...well not Jersey Shore, but that's neither here nor there. Anyway, while I thought I was just being entertained, it seems we are being conditioned to believe this is the way women settle disputes. We name call, we demoralize, we humiliate, we fight. We just can't help but tear each other down and take pleasure in the presumed victory. I can just hear these girls now "yea, I beat that (insert words here), and its on YouTube!" No...please take a seat in the nearest super-glued chair. To use my very best English, this ain't winning.

But the reason these videos scored so many hits on YouTube is the same reason these deplorable television shows get the highest ratings...even over scripted programming. Why do we enjoy seeing women tear each other down?

There wouldn't be as much issue with these shows if they were the exception and not the rule. But there are far fewer positive portrayals of women on television, particularly women of color to combat these negative images. As a result, life imitates, well if I can even call it art.

And with bystanders so willing to pull out a camera phone to make some quick cash from worldstarhiphop, it won't be long before the next aspiring Bad Girls Club castmember auditions via a YouTube street brawl.

I don't have a thought provoking question as I usually do to close this post.

It's actually more of a rant. But I like to hear your rantings as well, so please leave a comment.

Let's love each other ok? :-)

And I feel the need to make this disclaimer:

My feelings on these videos are far more complex and more in depth than what this blog post can explain. I've been a black woman for a long time so I can't possibly sum up the whole of my feelings in a few minutes. But it's enough to get a conversation going...so talk to me!

Art Paisley

Just got this cute mint color from Ulta last week. Had to test it out. What do you think? Hot or not?

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Funky Fresh

It's been a little minute since I've posted some nail designs. How cute are these?!

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New Music: Sha Stimuli Wake Up & Go

(Via Clutch Magazine)

This was a cute concept. Unfortunately this message isn't loud of enough to drown out the sound of the self-hate promoting records put out everyday. Sighs...

Enjoy it while you can. :-)

Kobe Bryant: "I Want What All Men Want, I Just Want it More"

Last week after a disappointing loss to the Miami Heat (94-88) Kobe Bryant did something that reminded us all why he's a candidate to be the greatest NBA player of all time.

Oh, yall didn't think I knew about sports huh? LOL, not much...so don't get excited. But I do follow my hometeam. #Lakers! Woot woot!

Anyway, via NecoleBitchie.com, while Kobe's teammates hit the showers and headed home or to their post game festivities, Kobe spent an additional TWO HOURS practicing his game.

Several reporters and NBA players tweeted in awe of Bryant's dedication:

@WojYahooNBA: Kobe’s been going for over an hour now on AA Arena floor, covering every spot on the floor with jumpers. He’s out beyond 3-point line now.
@desmond_howard: Kobe put himself through a 1.5hr workout after every1 left the arena. http://twitpic.com/48cen3. He’s not THAT GUY by accident. #DEDICATION
desmond_howard: This is Y I have so much admiration for Kobe as a professional athlete. http://yfrog.com/h3hdvyjj. His professional focus is unmatched
dannyhoyt: Love that Kobe stayed and shot for an hour after losing. AN HOUR. When the Heat lose, they cry. When Kobe loses, he gets better. #Lakers
IraHeatBeat: Yes, Kobe Bryant, right now, more than 2 1/2 hours after the game, is shooting jumpers on the court, with media told building is closing.
IraHeatBeat: Kobe Bryant still out on the court, shooting, more than a hour after the game. Even Erik Spoelstra came out to take a look. i have a whole new respect for him right about now
When asked why he stayed behind, Kobe nonchalantly stated:

"I had some things to work on."

He told another reporter by text message:

“I want what all men want. I just want it more.”

This my friends is what greatness looks like. Kobe is great because he practices greatness and wants it more than ANYONE. The Heat can recruit Lebron. Shoot they can phone the Harlem Globetrotters for all I care, but no one, NO ONE will match Kobe's dedication to the game.

Whether you're a fan or not, you have to respect that.

This inspiration is applicable to anyone. Take heed.

Watch video of Kobe's extended practice here:

Are We Being Too Rough on "The Game"

Not everyone was pleased when the hit sitcom "The Game" returned to cable television with record-setting ratings. Sure, I expected that. There's always a critic. But, its been 8 weeks since the show's return and feedback has been steadily less than flattering.

I initially voiced by concerns with the new, more dramatic format of the show in a past post, but eventually came to terms with new changes. However, negative whispers about Kelly's new attitude, a soap-operaesque plot, and the Brit-brat swap have been festering consistently since season 4's debut and its truly beginning to worry me. This coupled with so-so ratings and the fact that the show has not yet been confirmed for a 5th season has me wondering are we in danger of losing the show again?

I've thought seriously about some of the complaints that I've heard, and it all seems quite trivial in the larger scheme of things. We are in a television era where Jersey Shore ranks as the highest weekly rated show for cable TV and yet, we take issue with The Game? Someone help me see the light, please! This baffles me.

I wouldn't be surprised if the shade thrown at The Game's new season is provided by those who hopped on the bandwagon. At any rate, the actors on the show are aware of the mixed feelings of "fans" who have reached out via Twitter, and the cast has urged them to direct their comments toward the powers that be at BET.

I partly feel as though social media's involvement in the show's return is beginning to backfire. Roughly two years ago, Game fans on Facebook and Twitter united to lead an ambitious campaign for The Game's return. And obviously it worked. However, I think there was a price to pay. It seems as though viewers have become to invested in their presumed "power." Because they were responsible for the comeback, they feel a sense of entitlement to the shows content. Sure every fan has right to their opinion, but we can't expect for it to be adopted as law.

Furthermore, people have to get used to change. Hello! Things change. They just do. In this case the show can't win for losing. If they hadn't changed a thing, I'm sure some would have said the new season ran dry. Now that they've stirred the pot, people don't like the recipe. Sigh...

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with voicing opinions. In fact, most shows encourage social media heads to "watch and discuss." The key thing here being to watch.

Anyway, I say all this to say. Discontentment cannot cause us to disengage. What a shame that would be after all of this right? Bottom line is there are about two handfuls of reality Tv shows we should probably be petitioning against right now....and we're not. Why?

Why are we being so rough on The Game?