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Well Thump, since LiLi doesn't know a thang about movies or music, what's your take on this new release. I mean, LiLi thought Notorious should have been picked for an Oscar.

OMG!!!! This is embarrassingly ridiculous. Black directors make movies they feel are relevant to their personal agendas and those of their targeted audience (which is generally black). White people have nothing to do with it. Negroes need to move past their paranoiac race fantasies of persecution and see reality for it is. The Negroes who were upset about Chris Rocks movie were embarrassed that non-whites would now know the astringent details of the difficulty of grooming and managing black hair (as if they didn’t already know!). Outside of the deep rooted shame and self loathing of their natural hair, there is no sane reason for Negroes to protest such a simple movie. I personally heard two black women bitterly complain the Rock had “exposed black women’s secrets” (I know…I know, as pathetic as that sounds -I actually heard them say it!). Same can be said for the movie Precious. It was a hard core gritty story about a young black woman’s tragic life. All the trappings and characters in the movie are real and black America is filled with legions of Negroes who are carbon copies of every single character in this movie. So why all the histrionics and temper tantrums about situations, behavior and characters that are pandemic in black America? Makes no sense…….

I did not know you could do that with Thumb Nails. Hey Carey that was pretty creative. But as the cliche goes if we forget the past we are doomed to repeat it. As the Jews say we must never forget. We can move on but we can not, must not, forget our history, what little we still know... even if you are tired of hearing it.

Shameless begging: I got money, I need an editor [Carey] “Your family stories are always so touching. You should write a book” - PPR_Scribe “Your life reads like an excerpt from a Novel that I would not only buy but stand in a long line that wraps a corner, just for the Author's signature. WOW - Now that's what I call a Testimony” - Free Spirit People will pat you on the back and I may be the biggest sucker in town, but I need an editor. I need an editor. I will pay $5 - $10 a page for editing. $300-$500 up-front. I accept the risk. I’d send the first $300-$500 along with a few pages. I believe the stories are okay, but I know they need a little cleaning. Some pages might not need anything but a sentence shift or comma here and there, but the page will still be paid for. I don't think it's bad part-time money. I know it’s not a lot of money but it could be fun. If you think I have something I can work with, let me know. Check out these short stories. I call them snippets. They all come from larger chapters. I heard the shot... I felt the combustion... a loud thunderous roar ....it felt as if air was trying to force it's way through my head. Six told me that no one would be shot, we were only taking guns to scare them. I'd seen people shot on television but it was nothing like that. Blood was spurting from the man while he lay crying and moaning on the floor. I was only 18 ....I was involved in a bank robbery and a possible murder. I entered the bank after giving the appearance of a man shoveling snow outside. Bank robbery is relatively simple ....there are seldom guards. It's the escape and entrance that harbored my concerns ....pedestrians are also unwanted factors. After placing my shovel outside the door, I entered the bank and without saying a word I handed the tellers a large bag, suggesting that they should fill it. One clerk fell to the floor ....she was too scared and weak to comply. The other ....with eyes widened, trembling from shock and fear, stumbled through the process. I was covered from head to toe ....they couldn't tell if I was a man or a woman, white or black ....I walked out. As you know that was not my first bank robbery. At an early age I witnessed the small nuances between tricks and the women that served them. Everyone enjoys the touch of another and many need to feel as if they belong. I learned that men who paid for the company of women didn't do so merely for sex. They needed to feel like they were a match for the women ....that she may even like them. The women did not have to be beautiful ....many were not. Eva wasn't in many opinions an attractive woman .....she was clean, barely 5'5" and overweight. She was sweet and always carried a smile. Smooth was cool, he wasn't like the winos that everyone poked fun at. He dressed sharp and everyone wanted to be like him. People said he wasn't a junkie ...but he used Narcotics. Smooth was the talk of the town ....all the women loved him ....I would later find out why. I wanted to be like smooth but I couldn't. I already had a family and I didn't even smoke cigarettes. My brother Carl was a wrestler, a state champ. He told me that he was good because he worked harder than others at his craft. He got up earlier than others .....no one knew what he was doing. He did it his way. I latched onto that idea. I was young ....the world was in front of me and I wanted it all. I wanted to be cool like smooth, a family man like my father, tough as my brothers and go to college. Women whispered their pleasures to me and I entertained the possibilities. College was fertile ground for young attractive women. Cool was in me ....it had touched my soul. I was about to travel a road that I could never have imagined ....no one told me ....they didn't know. The US military is one of the largest vehicles for drug smuggling in the world. Rita was my friend ....my lover and my company. She agreed to come along on a trip after receiving a promise of adventure. She was very attractive ....stunning ....movie star quality ....she liked me. While passing through the gate Rita's face showed the look of impending doom. The officer ordered everyone out of the vehicle ....a search was about to guidance. Earlier we were in a village ....it was called the jungle ....an area frequented by blacks who were accepted by the locals. It was a humid day ....the sun was bright ....Rita and I were filled with excitement. She was from Virginia and had not traveled much ....she trusted me. We were free and fear was not our enemy. Prior to our journey we talk about the future and the dangers of our travel. I carefully questioned her on the what-if's ....the possibilitie of roadblocks ahead. The officer again said to vacate the vehicle ....Rita went to work. My life spiraled out of control for several years ....one day in the midst of a storm, I called my mother for help ....she said that she had given it to god and suggested that I pray ....I didn't have a relationship with god at that time and was very depressed about my situation ....I nevertheless sent a weak prayer to god and things changed. I didn't know how to pray ....yet I knew I couldn't continue along this path ....I sat in my cell and asked God for help and guidence. Some have said that there are no time stamps on prayers ....I waited. I am here today ....grateful and alive. My mother told me that although I didn't have a relationship with god at that time ....he had never left me. I've come to believe that to be true. NEXT Here’s another very short one: When I was a kid, we lived in the projects. My father told us that one day he was going to buy a house with a basement. In the basement, he was going to build a gym. He did that. Well, it wasn’t a big gym, in fact, it was nothing more than a few items like a bunching bag and small weights, but we loved it. My father screwed in a spring resistance thang in a support beam. It was a used item that my father purchased from the Salvation Army, so there wasn’t much resistance but we made it work. My father said if I stood back far enough and worked that thing long enough, I would eventually see some results. Okay, I had faith in my father’s words, so for days and days, for hours and hours, I pulled on that contraption. One day I noticed a little bump on my arm. It was a muscle! Years later, I had gun boats. Many more years later, I bought a home, and I had a gym in my basement. To make a long story short, take a look at my son’s arms. (picture not available in this medium) And, Daddy’s little Girl: I've always thought being a man was about being tough and strong. I put a great deal of emphases on providing for my family and protecting them. I believe it's safe to say most fathers... real fathers feel the same way. Looking back... the hardest thing for me to do on a continual basis was share my emotions. I gave my family most things that I thought would be beneficial for their survival. Yet I sometimes wonder if I gave them all the tools necessary to endure the long haul of life. I now look back and wonder if I gave them all of me. It would be easy to take the less painful road and say it's not about me. I could blame everybody and everything ....I could open the door to excuses. Yet, I've come to believe that would be closing the door on growth. How does one prepare for the departure of their only daughter. In many ways my daughter was a bond that kept my family together. She was an integral part of my family unit. She was not planned .....her mother and I were kids playing house and she became pregnant while we were in high school. We married and struggled as young parents .....We shared dreams and spent many days and nights preparing our daughter for the day I will never forget. Being a young father .....I was just like the birds and the four legged animals that had to find safety in a tree. I could change my spots to look like a man and talk like a man but I wasn't a man. I seldom reached inside to find the soul of a man. I had always mimicked my father ....he was a great influence on my life .....I watched his moves but I never saw his tears. When I became a boy with a child I was scared and insecure .....I masked my fears and shoved those emotions behind. I thought it wasn't manly to show fear .....I found it hard to admit that I didn't know how to handle certain things. I was about to leave my daughter on the steps of a large University .....with strangers. My daughter had never seen me cry .....my wife had never seen me cry ....in truth, after leaving my parents home ....I had never cried. I thought back to the day my father told me to leave his home and go raise my family .....I remember his pain .....I now was sharing those same emotions. I wondered if I was making the right decision or was I living through my daughter by suggesting she go to a large University far away from home, when she could have gone to a local college with similar benefits ....did I think her chances of being an Olympic star were greater .....living my dream? My wife and I were about to leave our daughter at her new home ....The University of Kentucky. We were proud yet fearful ....I was her track coach. I had accompanied her on most of her trips. My wife would always be by my side ....assisting as mothers do ....she even ran along during training ....we used her as a rabbit. My daughter would spot her yardage and try to beat her to the line. My son was along ....he was just joyful of the promise of a Happy Meal. My daughter was a high school and national age group champion .....she now was going to Kentucky ....A College National Champion. In many ways my wife and I didn't plan for this day. Sure, we planned for our daughters new day but not our lives together, without our little girl. The days were gone when we would nudge one another to see who would change her diaper or pick her up from practice. There would be no more loading of the car .....the four of use for family trips to wonderful cities. What would my wife and I do when we didn't have our daughter around? Someone we felt we had to stand guard over. Was this like retirement? Was I retiring from being daddy and she daddy's little girl. I couldn't fake this one ....I couldn't change my spot from a sad, insecure and fearful father to one that appeared as if he had it all together ....this was real. Emotions flooded me ....I looked at my wife for answers ....her eyes and posture told me that she too had visited a dark place. Emotions I seldom dealt with, invade my soul ....rationalization and ambiguous thought were no match for the pains I was feeling. I was the leader of the family. As we got closer to the moment of goodbyes ....I again looked in the eyes of my wife ....and with some reserve and trepidation .....I looked into the eyes of my daughter ....they both were looking for answers from their leader. That was a defining moment in my life. At that moment I think I became closer to being a real man ....I lost it ....I cried ....I couldn't talk, I cried. I showed my vulnerability ....I didn't have all the answer and I didn't know anything else to do. Okay Thumper’s Corner, I am looking for a good editor. I have more stories. Much more. I have stories of all kinds. I have childhood stories, crime stories, lost love stories, young fatherhood stories, drug abuse stories, gun play stories, work place stories, drug smuggling stories, seeing death stories, incarceration stories, pimp stories, my family stories, love stories, church stories, loneliness & depression stories, overseas stories, blogging stories, lessons I've learn stories, life in the military stories, racism stories, self-discovery stories, grandchildren stories, my education stories, did I say love stories, shame and guilt stories, all true stories... All on paper. I need help. Editor wanted Another short one: Baby momma drama... If a women has children by different men what is she? Some are quick to call her a scank or a ho. Others might say she's a woman of low principles. Let me tell you a story and I'll tell you what I call them. I have a definition that's counter to the popular opinion. This story is about a man and a women that fell in love. Do you like a good love stories - I do. Like most love stories there's a beginning, a middle and the end. This story begins with a man that had lived a few years and a young beautiful black women that was just leaving her nest. They met in the military; he a fast talker, slick walker. She was a young innocent girl out to see the world. He had a history. In fact, he was denied entry into one branch of the military because of past criminal behavior. He was young but the streets called him at an early age. Being of a criminal mind and no ones fool, he found a way to slip into a different branch of the armed forces. Since he considered himself a lover and not a fighter and wasn't going to shoot at anyone, he wiggled his way into the cool confines of office life. He felt like one of the Beverly Hillbillies ....swimming pools, movies stars AND air conditioning. Life was good, he had a first hand view of all the new women that arrived on the base. Aside from greeting them at the door, their records preceded them. At first he felt kind of funny looking at their past but he rationalized that it was his job to make sure all their records were in order - it was one of his jobs. He came from the streets so he'd witnessed all the pimps and hustlers trying to lay their magic on women but his thang was different. An old player told him that women love sincere men that make them smile. So his thang was sincerity with a smile and a pinch of dishonest ....just a pinch. He knew that most women felt isolated in the military and longed for home. Well, while looking through their records to see if they had any ...ahhh, any ...ahhh, things he didn't want to catch, he would look to see what high school they went to and the city they were from. He was a cleaver old fox. While greeting them at the door he would extend his hand and then quickly pull it back with a startled look and say, "Helen Lampkin, German Town High School, women you haven't changed one bit". The ice was broken, the women was comfortable with her lost and found homie. Now, he still had work to do but friends before lovers was the name of the game and two friends had found each other on a lonely military base. One such women tweaked his heart along with his love of hide and go seek. She was a city girl that walked with a long stride that said, I know I look good and you can't have any. Her shoulders were back and her chin was slightly tipped up. She had heard all the lines. Women like that don't have to sleep alone. The old wolf knew he had to come with a new game. He decide just to be sincere without any lies. He told her what he generally did when anticipating a new arrival but that he just want to be straight up with her. He told her that he just wanted to meet her and he didn't want to start a friendship off with a lie. She paused and asked him if he looked in her medical records. He looked deep into her eyes and told her that he had not - he lied but the relationship blossomed :-). Hey, he was a wolf, okay. Life was good, they were the talk of the base. They drove around in a brand new block long Oldsmobile Ninety Eight that she helped him pay for. They yelled out the windows at the other soldiers and turned up their music to blast Marvin Gay .....what's going on .....what's going' on. They were in love. There was only one problem. This wolf turned serious lover had another lover - back home ...a child too. I went in the military to start a new life. But as my mother would say, if you play with a puppy, it will lick you in the face. My father's version was, if you sit in a barbershop you will eventually get a haircut. I fathered a child as a teenager and her mother was waiting for me back home. We had planned a life together yet I was in the arms of another women. I was hesitant about telling this part of my story because there remains a sense of guilt that I hurt others by my selfish ways. The shame and guilt goes away when I address the issues and honestly accepted my wrongdoings. When I jacked up my slacks and said I messed up, I can then move on. But to share my story and my pain with others is a new journey. The road is tough when the fingers of fault are pointing directly at me. However, I've grown tired of many depicting mothers with children by different men as some sort of women with flawed character or low morals. I was involved with two wonderful women that just happened to run into a guy like me. While playing house with my new lover we brought another child into the world. I wasn't man enough to tell either of the women about each other so I maintained two separate lives. I was close enough to my home town that I could drive home when I choose to do so. I lived this lie for 2 years until everything came tumbling down. I had become so comfortable with living like this that I even drove my second family to my parents home to let them visit with their new grandchild. I put them in an awful position. My father would give me the look of deep concern and ask me what the hell I was doing. My mother was force to take the route of don't ask don't tell. Everyone paid a price when the news broke. After visiting my parents one weekend, I decided to stop at a local horse racing track on my way out of town. My skills at picking winners wasn't very good so I decided to leave after the 5th race. I was with Rita* (*name changed) and my son. As we approached the car a voice said, "how are you doing Carey", it was Debbie*, the mother of my first child. She had a gun in her hand, a 2 shot derringer. I was stunned, I walked toward her. My son ran behind me saying daddy daddy. He didn't know there was danger, he just couldn't understand why I was walking off from him. At that moment my life changed and so did the lives of several others. To be continued ...........later Okay, one more short one: All kinds of momma’s day! Another Mothers Day has come and gone. That's my Mother and Father in the picture (not included here) It was a great day. I started my day at church with my lady. I was around all types of mothers. I also experienced several emotions. My mother no longer lives in her home, my sister now lives there. My mother had to move to a place that didn't have stairs. Mom lived in her home for nearly 50 years. Yesterday we eat dinner at my mothers old home. Although it was her house it no longer felt like home to her. My sister has made it her home and I could see the sadness in my mothers eyes. We had a good time but after a few hours my mother was ready to go back to her new home. Later in the day I turned into the cook. My lady and I entertained her mother and her family. We broke out the old pictures and turned on some music. Yes, laughter and all types of dance steps hit the floor. Well, my girls mother thought she was doing the stanky leg but it was just stanky. I swear, the women is about 65 yrs old and is still trying real hard to hold onto years gone by. She started breakin' down this one move that made her look like she was going to take a dump. Of course I was encouraging her with shouts of "GO DORIS GO DORIS". They call it mothers day but one of the mothers has stopped being mom. Well, she has 2 children but she now straps down her titties and her lover is another momma. Yep, dey snatchin'. I don't have a problem with who licks on who. In fact, when she came through the door I punched her in her arm just like she was a dude. Shit, you would have thought I gave her a million bucks. She smiled like a sissy in a penis farm. She no longer does penis but you know what am talking about. Why do negros come late? I am so tired of CP time ....what about a time called now? If dinner is at 3pm they drag their ass up in the house at 4:30 ...what's up with that shit. They worked me. I cooked prime rib. Yeah, that steak is easy to prepare and it's easy on the gums of the old folk. My ladies son, his wife and their 2 children came late. They didn't even get in the door before they started talking about food. I started to say it was mothers day and NOT "late niggas" day. But I was cool, I hooked them up. There should be a day called new mommas day. Well, one of the younger boys in the house was working on a new momma. See, he had my ladies phone and decided to do a little texting. When she asked him what he was doing, he quickly said, "nothing". We knew that meant he was up to no good. Yes sir, he was sending messages to some female telling her all the nasty stuff he was going to do to her. The kid is only 14. I was wondering if he was a octopus because he would need 8"Johnsons" and 4 tongues to do all the nasty thangs he was talkin' about doing. It was a good day. We took new pictures and laughed at old ones. We eat and danced. Every mother got a flower. I cleaned the kitchen and vacuumed the floor. When I started cleaning up I thought everyone would know it was time for them to hit the road. Oh no, they asked me if I had any new bootlegged movie. See, I knew they were getting a little too comfortable when grandma fell asleep with one of the babies in her arms. I pulled out plan "B". I went straight to the bathroom and started running bath water while pulling off my socks. Aretha Franklin said, "company is all right with me ...every once in awhile, but when me and mine start making love". See, my day wasn't done. I had another job to do. I ain't tryin' to tell my business but the eagle landed. Okay, one more time Thumper’s Corner, I am looking for a good editor. I have more stories. Much more. I have stories of all kinds. I have childhood stories, crime stories, lost love stories, young fatherhood stories, drug abuse stories, gun play stories, work place stories, drug smuggling stories, seeing death stories, incarceration stories, pimp stories, my family stories, love stories, church stories, loneliness & depression stories, overseas stories, blogging stories, lessons I've learn stories, life in the military stories, racism stories, self-discovery stories, grandchildren stories, my education stories, did I say love stories, shame and guilt stories, all true stories... All on paper. I need help. Editor wanted I am very serious about this. If you think I have a viable product hit my e-mail. What I am thinking about doing is having 2-3 editors at one time. Each will get the same pages( and money) . I have nothing to lose but a little money. Money is not my biggest problem and I’ve been around long enough to know I have to pay to play. But look, if you think the stories are crap, I don’t need stroking, nor do I want to just give my money away. Carey.m@mchsi.com Last Sample: A Dream Deferred There are many things I should be doing today but I am consumed by the current events. There was an article on Yahoo, asking the question, "Why Did Obama Win"? I'll get back to that. I am sure we all have stories of struggle. It's been said that if a man controls your mind he controls you. I am not the type of man that blames others for my faults. However if a person's dreams are deferred by limited exposure, who's to blame? Maybe no one, because in doing so, we look back and not forward. When I think about the dreams of my grandfather, six generation past, I know he looked forward to a day in which he would no longer be a slave. In 1865 he was released from slavery in Kentucky and moved north. While a slave he was responsible for the care of the farm animals. He was in essence an animal doctor. Skills in hand, he headed North. He settled into a white community on the banks of Mississippi River in northern Illinois, Port Byron. Generations later, my Great-Grandmother's dream was to simply go to school. She never had that opportunity, she raised 10 children while working beside my grandfather as sharecroppers. One of my mother's dreams was to go to high school and graduate, she did that. I was talking to my daughter this morning and we conversed about my grandson. Her voice made me stop and think of a dream my wife shared with me. See, my daughter was not planned. My wife became pregnant while we were in high school. There was talk of abortion and adoption. We married and struggled as young parents, yet, we shared dreams and passed them along to our children. My daughter went back to Kentucky, not as a slave, nor to find her roots but as a student at the University Of Kentucky. My wife passed away 6 months before the birth of our grandchild. While talking to my daughter she told me that my grandson, who is 5 yrs old, said that he and Obama were just alike. My daughter said, yes, you are both black. He declared, NO MOMMY! We are both presidents. His school held class elections to familiarize students with the voting process; he was voted president of his 1st grade class. Ignoring the comparison that most adults would make, my grandson focused on something greater than race. He was proud of the fact that he won the presidency. He knew the job of president was important, yet too young to understand the significance of skin color in the past election. It wasn't important to him that they shared a color. He was proud of the fact that he was good enough to be president. Maybe one day it will cease being such a big deal. My grandfather didn't look back. I have a grandson- his name is Carey-he's the president. Why did Obama win? Because he was the best man for the job! ~CareyCarey

Oh no Troy, I wouldn't be surprised in the least. That's a very good page. Of course history is important. Here's my thang. Without a doubt it inspires further discusion. I was merely suggesting that "answers" alone are like a hotdog bun without the hotdog. In reference to inspiration, I am reminded of people that go to church and throw their hands in the air and holla like they just don't care. They say AMEN!, preach pastor. When the choir stops singing and the lights go out, so does their praise. So now we are sitting at the table of Black History Month. Excuse me Troy, could you pass me a little of that "Richard Allen". Troy: Certainly Carey, btw, did you know his master was a kindly gentleman? Carey: You're kidding me? Troy: Nope, he let Richie buy his freedom. Carey: Are you talking about the son of Miss Maddie and that one cracker... I mean Quaker, Benjamin Chew? Troy: YES! You do know that he was instrumental in establishing the African Methodist Episcopal Church? Carey: Really? Is that why we are now called African Americans? Troy: I think so. Carey: Okay Troy, if you're so smart, who said "Too long have others spoken for us!"? Troy: That's easy, Helen Keller. Carey: That's funny Troy, pass me some of that John Brown Russwurn. Troy: Okay Carey, but you better put some of this Cornish on it. Carey: OH Yeah! We don't have but a month to grease like this so you know I'm gonna throw down. So you're up on Samuel E. Cornish? Troy: Nope, but it sounds good. Carey: Hey Troy, do we have any sweets? Troy: Boy, are you serious? Don't you see that Josephine "the" Baker? Carey: But Troy, I am looking for some real soul food. I don't see any dirty rice or Condoleezza Rice? I like my Louis "Rich" Farrakhan slow smoked in some Tiger Woods. Troy: That's not slave food! Be quiet, white folks get riled up when you mention those delicate morsels. Carey: Do we have a bunch of greens? Troy: No, we do not, but if you promise not to tell anyone, we have some Ralph Bunche. I bet you don't know anything about that? Carey: Well Troy, your eyes may shine and your teeth my grin, but that's not slave food... so it's a sin. Look Troy, somebody might come in here and ask us for the right answers. I mean, if they ask us what we are eating and we say Muhammed Ali instead of William Wells Brown, we could be in big trouble. What are they gonna say when we are licking our fingers and soppin' up some Barack Obama? Look at you, wipe that Colin Powel off your face. Am all for a little adventure but I'm trying to stay at the table. Remember, we only have a month. Troy: Carey, you're right. Try some of this Frederick Douglas. After you slam that down, we are going to get ugly on some of that Thumper. Carey: THUMPER! Is that slave food? I think I've seen that over at Mr Johnson's house. Troy: You're silly, Carey. I was trying to tell you that Thumper is bringing his Red Velvet Cake. Carey: I know you're not talking about the Wizard of Books & Movies? You can't be becuase er'body knows that boy don't know nothing about cooking. Hurry, call him and tell him to bring some slave food. Ask him if he has any William Wells Brown. Troy: You're probably right. Maybe I should tell him to bring some music. Carey: ARE YOU NUTS?! You know Thump doesn't play anything but Aretha Franklin and Etta James. Troy: Well, what wrong with that? Carey: Come on Troy, stop thinking like a mental midget. First, when Thumper starts playing Aretha's "Jump To It", you don't want to see him do his Mr Brown. That's some ugly mess. Besides, this is a slave celebration. We need some of that moaning music. Troy: OuuuuWeeeee Carey, have you tried some of this Isaac Murphy? You know that's slave food. It has something to do with horses. Carey: Yuck! Cats eat horse meat. But I do love me some Isaac Hayes. You know, "by the time I get to Phoenix" Troy: If you don't stop running your mouth, by the time this month is over, we will be looking real stupid, cuz we'll be real hungry. Carey: I don't know what "we" are going to do, but am going to buy me some books. Troy: Book?! Do you know how to read? Carey: Oh, you got jokes. Of course I know how to read. I've been reading about Oprah and ... Troy: Hush your mouth boy! Here, put some of this Harriet Tubman in your mouth. Are you trying to spoil the party? Besides, you can't even put hot sauce on Oprah. That's already too strong. But we can always warm up some Harriet Tubman. Yes sir, that's fine slave food. Carey: You're right again ol'wise one. You did say "We all don't assimilate information the same way". But Troy, I've never seen much of this food that you are giving me. Troy: Duh! That's why we are having this great feast. See Carey, negroes like you need to know this food exists. And you know what, white folks need a little bump of this too. They need to know every closed eye ain't sleep. Carey: But Troy, the eat chitterlings too Troy: Stop being stupid, Carey. They need to know they left a little cream in our coffee. Carey: Yeah, and I hate that. Troy: Well, we are the hate that hate created. Carey: What?! Troy: Eat boy, just eat. That's too deep for you. Keep your eye on that pig. You can't handle the truth. You'd probably gag on some prime rib. Carey: Forget you Troy. I got your fat pig. You go right ahead and crame your face with a plate of T. Thomas Fortune cookies. I am going to buy me a double stack of books. Soon as my feet stike zion, am gonna lay down my heavy burdens, I'm gonna put on my robe in glory/ am gonna shout and tell my story/ am gonna tell him all about my struggles/ my soul looks back and I wonder how I got over. Troy: No you didn't! Did you just try to drop the deal breaker? I mean, I've been to church and I recognize a gospel song when I hear one. So now you wanna bring God to the table. See Carey, God knows my heart. Carey: Yes he does Troy, and he knows what you do... at all times! Troy: What are you trying to say, Carey? Are you saying my heart is not in the right place, and that we shouldn't be filling up on slave food! CareY: No, that's not what I am saying. Well, where is Thumper? Did he bring his old school music? I was going to put on Aretha. I love this line... "company is alright with me every once in awhile, but when me and my baby start making love" ... It's time for the slaves to move around. Troy: I think I gotcha. Perhaps you are suggesting that the information be obtained from a book. If soe I'm all for that too. Carey: Bingo Baby! Now you're cooking with Crisco. I am not Paul Harvey, but I want to hear the rest of the story. Er'bdy can't stand the truth. But I want to know what's really going on. Listen Troy, put down that pork chop and lend me your ear. I am not Big Red from the Five Heartbeats, and you are not their manager, but I am trying to put some money in yo pockets and some knowledge on your brain. I am tired-tired-tired of hearing regurgitated slave stories. I know some negroes like to wax poetically about days gone by, but What About A Time Called Now? Let the slave ship ride off into the sunset. Make my funk the P-Funk, I love to get funked up! I do not look in caskets. If I did, I'd be taking my eyes off the prize. Pass the peas.

Hello All, I disagree with the Ishmael! I am so SICK of this argument. They used it 30 some odd years ago with The Color Purple! Frankly, Reed needs to get over it! I don't see how Precious is saying anything more to white people than it said to me as a black man. Any damn movie that ain't showing the black man as a minor Superman they take offense. There use to be they was upset because white folks always wanted to depict the mournful, caring black mother on the screen when not all of that was the least bit true. Now, Precious destroyed that stereotype and you all still ain't happy. I guess Reed would be more satisfied showing Precious's daddy having a bunch of kids and not supporting them or raising them or even knowing who they are, because that much is true! No, Sidney Poitier should lose 40 years and start remaking his old movies again. Man, pick a side and stay with it.

Well Troy, to Ismael's Fade to White, I say Bull Shit! We've done this before so I'll move on. Ismael is very deep. I read ALL of the AALBC link. Man, that was long! This caught my eye..... "RM: It seems to me that black writers have to be marketed into neat little categories to sell books, and if you're not able to fit into any of these slots, then you have a problem" There was a load of wisdom in that interview.

Okay Thump, I see your meds have settled down. It looks like another love TKO. But before I leave, I have to say a couple of things. See, I wasn't going to bring up the old board. You know, I was going to let that go. But nooooo, you wanna challenge my memory. I have to admit it's not what it used to be, so, at times, you have me in handcuffs. But sometimes I get a flash alert. Yep, I see the woman that you said (on the old board) wasn't a good actress, and wasn't going to be nothing, Jennifer Beals. I think I just saw her in The Book Of Eli. I know you're big daddy woo woo in this Oscar thang, but you made your move to soon on that one. That's right, about 10 years ago, you tore her a new one. Don't make me say what movie. Hint: Walter Moseley. I don't mean to bring up the past, because I sure don't want you to reach for your meds, but sometimes you have me confused. Good night, sleep tight, and don't let the bed bugs bite you... anymore.

Hello all, Carey: You done let all that loose skin and wrinkles on your forehead, fall into your eyes...messing with your vision! out of that group, Gabby gave the best performance HANDS DOWN! I done told you about coming to the table wearing a bib and a pair of knee pants, this is MAN's game you done rolled up on, son! *LOL* Now, let's start this again. I'll go slower this time so you can keep up... "The awards go to the Best." I know you didn't say that!? All that damn belly aching you did when Halle Berry won that Oscar for Monster Ball, you had the audacity to say that "the awards go to the Best"?! Let's look at the Oscar Angela Bassett lost for What's Love Got To Do With It to Holly Hunter in The Piano. No you know good and damn well, Holly Hunter didn't do anything but play Jim Carrey making all of those damn faces! And to top it all, Dorothy Dandridge lost that Oscar to Grace Kelley in The Country Girl because Grace Kelley did a role in which she didn't wear any makeup and wore glasses! Don't play with me. Oscar is famous for ignoring black actresses. I aint going to drop a lot of knowledge on you because it would be a waste of my time, like throwing pearls before swine, but a few of Oscar's injustice. 1.) Hilary Swank - with not one but two Oscars? Please, I would like to see her play a girl and win one. 2.) Who counts minutes -- why a ton of folks counts the minutes a nominees is in a film. Dame Judi Dench won her Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Shakespeare in Love. She was in the move all of 10 minutes. Geraldine Page was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for The Pope of Greenwich Village and she was in it for 10 minutes. And this is just off the top of my head, don't make me do some research! 3.) The year of Million Dollar Baby - GIVE ME AN ENTIRE BREAK!! Carey, you know you're wrong on so many levels. Anyway, don't let me stop you from running up and down the street with your big hoop and stick.

Hello All, Carey: The Best Actor Oscar race last year was the closest in a long time. While Penn won, Rourke is the one who was taking all of the other trophies up to that point. So, even though Penn deserved it, it was still a surprise and an upset. Yeah, Christoph Waltz is going to walk away with the Oscar. Eddie Murphy lost his Oscar due to his own arrogance. Normal folks know that you shouldn't be surprised that you're wet when you go pissing in a windstorm. Recall that a little while after the nomnations, nationwide, film critics (and others) began a campaign AGAINST Eddie saying that he did not deserve to have an Oscar based on the films he puts out (Pluto Nash, Daddy Day Care, etc). True, Murphy's movies made money, but overall, they suck! Murphy on the other hand decided to poo-poo all that noise, even though it had started to gain traction, and what did he do; even though the film company was willing to hold up release of the movie until AFTER the Oscars, Murphy went ahead and released NORBIT!! With that stupid, greedy move, Murphy gave away his Oscar and they gave it to Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine. To make matters worse, Arkin won it for a film he was in all of 15 or 20 minutes or so. Meryl may sneak in there and get it. Already the campaign has began about how long she has went between Oscar wins, but I think Sandra Bullock may be able to still get over. Now, if Gabby would form a campaign and go at it hard and use the 1.) how many black actress has been nominated for a Best Actress Oscar, 2.) already they have started with the crap that this is Gabby's first movie, if she's good she'll be back. So, she needs to campaign, why should she have to wait for an Oscar. I think that tactic help Jennifer Hudson a lot! The opportunity for a black actress to be back in the Oscar race is an IMPOSSIBLITY!! Bullock can get nominated again. Meryl Streep gets a nomination every damn year. Whoopi Goldberg is the only black actress that has been nominated twice for an Oscar. Recall that she lost The Color Purple Oscar because they used that same line of bull with her. So, her Oscar for Ghost was very much a make up Oscar. If I was Gabby, and while Obama is still in the White House, she might as well campaign like all hell and use the Oscar's non-relationship when it comes to Oscar and black actress and she may be able to pull off an upset. Now, anymore Oscar questions Grasshopper?

Well Thump, as much as I like disagreeing with you, I think you are on target. But you know what, I've never seen "Milk". So I can't speak on the Sean Pen thang. I did however enjoy Mickey Rourke. But wait Thump, no Avatar? I mean, generally the best director award goes to the director of the best picture. Well, unless there's some "color" in the movie. The Hurt Locker was very suspenseful and the acting was tight, but I don't understand the criteria for best director? Yes, Mo'nique is a lock. I don't remember Eddie Murphy's "supposedly" showing of his ass? You'll have to fill us in on that. Who beat him? Was he up for best actor or best supporting actor? I could google it, but that wouldn't be any fun. Any old fool can act like they know something, but you, my man, are the real deal. Now don't let your head swell, and go looking for the Real Deal Hollifield. I mean, you are good at picking movies, so don't go pick a fight with a boxing champion. But seriously, you might be on to something. But why don't you think Ol'Julie (what's her name) is not going to sneak in there? So, I guess we can agree that the actor from Inglorious Bastards is running away with best supporting actor, right?

Hey everyone, My nephew, Curtiss Cook's movies are finally out and on the market. On Feb, 19 2010 the movie (Shutter Island with Leonardo DiCaprio) will be in theaters. His other movie (breaking point with Busta Rhymes) is out on DVD As I type, so go to your local video store and rent it. There are two others that doesn't have a release date, as far as I know, so when I fine out I will let you know. E. Hall YES, I miss you 2 Chris! Do you need 4 us 2 send you a GPS???????????????????? Your posts were my favorites! ********************************************************************************************* Eve, Congratulations! "Sisterhood" has been accepted for publication in the "Women's issue" of MoJo! Thank you for submitting to the journal. Write on! Mignon Mignon Ariel King Editor, MoJo! http://mojowriters.weebly.com/

Move over Angelina and Brad. Beyonce and Jay-Z are the new #1 power couple of the entertainment industry. And Beyonce did it without adopting a trio of mutants from another planet. She married one instead. And Bey might've won the most awards at the Grammy telecast, but that "drill" she didn't "put a ring on" couldn't compare with Pink's near-nude acrobatic "circus act" which stole the show. And where was Kanye West when we needed him? Taylor Swift has to be the most overrated talent around. She's as boring as Lady GaGa is bizarre. Heidi Klum and her spouse looked like the Little Mermaid and her pet Seal. Nicole Kidman and her hubby looked like a blond Snow White and one of her dwarfs. Jennifer Hudson needs a new hair stylist, and Rihanna needs a personality transplant. Who was the kid she lugged to the mike with her. A love child she's been keeping a secret? Wonder if that "big fat black girl" dancing on the stage with the Rappers is a sign that all of the "Preciouses" of the world are going to get their day in the sun ala, Biggy Smalls. Justice is served - along with chicken and bisquits and mashed potatoes. Michael Jacksons' kids are already showing signs of loving the spotlight. Too bad they can't speak without stumbling over their words. They were almost as bad as Wicliffe Jean. I thought Lil Wayne was in jail but there he was running around the stage like he had "warrants", all the while having his lyrics bleeped. And who was Jamie Foxx spoofing in his Napoleon outfit? To his credit, he did appear to have had too much Ak-ak-ak-ak-akohol. Thank goodness, "Slash" and his guitar showed up. OK, this is your pop culture vulture signing off for now...

Basketball league for white Americans targets Augusta By Billy Byler | Staff Writer Tuesday, January 19, 2010 A new professional basketball league boasting rosters made up exclusively of white Americans has its eyes set on Augusta, but the team isn't receiving a warm welcome. The All-American Basketball Alliance announced in a news release Sunday evening that it intends to start its inaugural season in June and hopes Augusta will be one of 12 cities with a team. "Only players that are natural born United States citizens with both parents of Caucasian race are eligible to play in the league," the statement said. Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver, who has publicly expressed his support for minor league teams in the past, said he would not do the same for this team. "As a sports enthusiast, I have always supported bringing more sporting activities to Augusta," he said. "However, in this instance I could not support in good conscience bringing in a team that did not fit with the spirit of inclusiveness that I, along with many others, have worked so hard to foster in our city." Clint Bryant, athletic director at Augusta State University, laughed when he heard the news. "It's so absurd, it's funny, but it gives you an idea of the sickness of our society" he said. "It shows you what lengths people will go to just to be mean-spirited. I think at any basketball level, no matter if it's all black, all white, all Hispanic, all Asian or anyone else, the players should just be a basketball team." Don "Moose" Lewis, the commissioner of the AABA, said the reasoning behind the league's roster restrictions is not racism. "There's nothing hatred about what we're doing," he said. "I don't hate anyone of color. But people of white, American-born citizens are in the minority now. Here's a league for white players to play fundamental basketball, which they like." Lewis said he wants to emphasize fundamental basketball instead of "street-ball" played by "people of color." He pointed out recent incidents in the NBA, including Gilbert Arenas' indefinite suspension after bringing guns into the Washington Wizards locker room, as examples of fans' dissatisfaction with the way current professional sports are run. "Would you want to go to the game and worry about a player flipping you off or attacking you in the stands or grabbing their crotch?" he said. "That's the culture today, and in a free country we should have the right to move ourselves in a better direction." The Atlanta-based league, which will operate as a single-entity owning all of its teams, is looking for local contacts to pay $10,000 to become a "licensee" in one of 12 cities throughout the Southeast. Lewis said he has already received threats from people opposed to the roster restrictions and several cities have told him to stay out of town. Lewis said he has yet to hear from any one in Augusta. "We need a local person ingrained into the community to make this successful," he said. Lewis said he expects to eventually find support in every town with a team. "People will come out and support a product they can identify with. I'm the spoken minority right now, but if people will give us a chance, it'll work... The white game of basketball, which is essentially a fundamental game, works." Lewis said he wasn't sure where the team will play. Augusta has had problems with minor league basketball teams in the past, but the issues never centered around race. The Augusta Drive lasted less than a month before folding in 1995, citing financial reasons. The Augusta Groove made it through a full, 20-game schedule in 2009, but accusations from players and local businesses that the team wasn't paying its bills surrounded the team during the second half of the season. The team later shut down in the offseason. From the Tuesday, January 19, 2010 edition of the Augusta Chronicle

About to start reading Percival Everett's "I Am Not Sidney Poitier." I've been looking forward to this one for a while. Has anyone heard anything more about the movie adaptation of "Erasure"? I know Angela Bassett and Courtney Vance were involved and hoped that it would move forward quickly in light of the success of "Precious." (Many think that "Push" was the inspiration for Everett's character's foray into "ghetto lit.")

I attended a book launch party last night for Wench it was packed. The acclaim for the novel is universal. I'm gonna move it to the top of my list of books to read. The next one will be in Seattle on Jan 25th.

Thump, I have so much to say, but your mention of Lee Daniels caught my eye. Well, more so, the DGA awards. We've talked about the racism Prejudice certain flavor of the voting panel of the Oscars. Well, this year the DGA is honoring Norman Jewison. First, I don't know if Mr Jewison is a Jewish fellow, but I know he was born in Canada. So here's my thang, he's always shown the courage to direct movies that championed black folks. I know I don't have to tell you, but for others, he did In The Heat Of The Night, A Soldiers Story and The Hurricane. In my opinion, he's due an award. Now, I don't know the core of Oscar voters, but I wonder how many of them are part of the DGA? Over the years we've seen what you call Negro Oscar Busters. I wonder how many of "Buster's" fathers are part of the Oscar Academy? Sure, they gave Denzel and Halle an award, but I don't even want to go there. For that "I don't want to go there" reason, Monique could take the big one. But anyway, although it's great to see the light shine on Lee Daniels, I am not very big on the BEST DIRECTOR AWARD. First of all, I don't know what the voters are looking for. It seems like if the movie is a fan favorite, the award drops in the hands of the director. To me, that should not be the case. Take for instance the DGA nominees. Jason Reitman Quentin Tarantino Kathryn Bigelow James Cameron Lee Daniels I doubt if the aveerage joe can match the nominated movies to the correct director. Also, if asked I don't think many people can say a thang about the "direction" of the movie. How in the hell is Jmaes Cameron a nominated director for Avatar? I love seeing black peole get their props, but Thump, although A_womon hates it when I slam "black movies" or black directors, I gotta do my thang. I have to speak on The Book Of Eli. I'm not going to highjack your post, but i gotta talk about it. I'm going to do a review & blog. Yep, my way. Have you seen the movie? You may want to slow your roll. Well, the Hughe Brothers jump out with Menace To Society. This WTF movie should be called Dennis The Menace meets Max In The Thunderdome.

Hello All, Carey: I don't know if you can have your credentials back yet or not. I'm still thinking about it. You may have to sit out this Oscar season because of it. Anyway, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, the movie, is based on a short story, same title, that was written by one of my favorite authors of all times, F. Scott Fitzgerald. I done went and pulled down my big volume of Fitzgerald's short stories. I remember when I moved out from my mother's house, got an apartment after being on my job for over a year, I got my hands on this huge volume of Fitzgerald's short stories, and I would read from the book every night before I went to sleep. I hadn't read the Button stories in years. I'm going to read it in a few and get back with you. I think short stories fit into this issue because be it novels or short stories, the origin of the movie comes from another literary source. In my opinion movies based on short stories are not judge as harshly as those based on novels because the novels are longer; thereby, taking the time to develop the story line, characters, settings, etc, that short stories don't have that benefit. There were 2 movie versions of The Postman Rings Twice; the first with Lana Turner and John Garfield, the second with Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange. The second version, the Jack Nicholson version, SUCKED! I heard that there were other versions of Double Indemnity, but I have only seen the one with Barbara Stanwyck and Fred McMurray. As far as this year's Oscar goes. It's going to go down like this: Best Picture: The Hurt Locker Best Actor: Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart Best Actress: Meryl Streep or Gabby Sidbie Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz - Inglorious Basterds Best Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique - Precious BEst Director: Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker Now, this is how things are looking so far. But, I'm not going to make the final selections until a few more awards are presented and I'll get back with you. Here's a side note for you though that has gone unnoticed--Lee Daniels became the FIRST AA to be nominated as Best Director for the DGA award.

My man Thump, You know you sure do bring it! See, I need you right next to my copy of TCM's 2009 DVD catalog. I didn't know "Patricia Highsmith wrote The Talented Mr. Ripley AND the Hitchcock classic Strangers on a Train". You know I love both of those movies. The movies was great and so was the acting. Oh, before I get caught-up, I am waiting to hear your Oscar picks. I've seen all the talked about movies and most of the performances of the leading actors. I am not going to show my hold card but Morgan Freeman and Avatar gets my 10 TOES DOWN. Well, I fell asleep while watching both of them. So, you know, 10 toes down. They were just "ok" in my book. Now I'll tell you who I think did a great job. I mean, he might not win a damn thing but, Brad Pitt did a great job. The movie may not be for everyone (the director does his usual thang of over-the-top-ness, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course you know what I feel about Monique`.... BEST ACTING - by a black actress - EVER! Agree or disagree, I'm sticking with that one. But Thump, can I have my card back? I mean you spanked me for blowing ol girls name. You know, the one that played Julie Child. Will you ever forgive me? I was drunk. Okay, that's a lie because I don't drink, but come on man, can I have my card back? Anyway, although she's a great-great-great actress, the movie and her, gets my 10 TOES DOWN! Well, for the Julia & Julia chick flick. Back to movies and books: I knew you were on this kick, but did you ever consider that "Benjamin Button" was developed from a short story? I think we've talk about the movie, but how does short stories fit in this issue? Wasn't there 2 movie versions of The Postman Rings Twice and Double Indemnity? Although I was never a big fan of Broderick Crawford (fat face talked to fast), he killed Willie Starks.

Hello All, Since there don’t seem to be a lot of books coming across my desk, no less books that I want to read. So, this past summer I have been all over the map with my reading. I had started a new trend of reading books that are the basis of many of our classic movies. Naturally, I thought of my Ol’ Grayhead because I know he loves movies as much as I do. I began this kick after reading Nina Revyor’s marvelous novel, The Age of Dreaming. The Age of Dreaming is a novel that tells the life story of a Japanese actor who eventually became a Hollywood movie idol during Hollywood’s silent screen era. The book is Revyor’s masterpiece. I had reviewed Revyor’s previous two novels, The Necessary Hunger and Southland. I loved both of the novels. I was going to submit a review of The Age of Dreaming but couldn’t honestly do it because there were no African American characters in it. After reading the novel, I got to thinking, how many of the movies I love are different from the book. It is a standard belief that the books their motion picture counterparts are based on are better than their movies. I am one that holds this belief, so I do my utmost to read the current books that are made into movies before I see the movie. Oddly enough, I have not read the books that the classic movies are spawned. I set out to change that oversight. I started with All The Kings Men by Robert Penn Warren. The movie version featured Broderick Crawford, who won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance as the corrupt governor Willie Stark. The movie was awfully close to the book. I thought, OK, this is going good. So, I moved on to Goodbye, Columbus by Phillip Roth. I got turned on to this book because I had seen a Steve McQueen documentary on the Biography channel and Ali McGraw was discussed, which lead me to thinking about McGraw’s first picture that brought her to prominence; Goodbye, Columbus, costarring Richard Benjamin. I am not a fan of the movie, but I LOVE the book! Now that Phillip Roth is in my sights, do not be surprised if I begin a Phillip Roth kick. One night, I was flipping channels and ended up on the Fox Movie Channel and watched the last half of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. I wondered if before it became a movie, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie was a book. I hopped on the internet, hit Amazon.com and discovered that there was a book which the movie was based, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Sparks. I loved the book, which is better than the movie! Sparks is a remarkable writer, which kinda surprised me. Sparks is a British author. I find many British authors’ writing style stiff and suffocating. Sparks writing is simple, elegant and to the point. Fortunately for me, I bought the Everyman’s Library edition of the book which is hardcover and includes a few more novels by Sparks since Sparks believes in writing short novels. Now, I’m cooking with gas and now James M. Cain and Patricia Highsmith are up. James M. Cain wrote The Postman Rings Twice, Double Indemnity and Mildred Pierce. Patricia Highsmith wrote The Talented Mr. Ripley. She also wrote the Hitchcock classic Strangers on a Train. I’m going to have to get Strangers on a Train. Now, I’m at the beginning of The Postman Rings Twice. Except for John Garfield, the rest of the cast is NOTHING like the characters in the book. I love it. The storyline of The Postman Rings Twice in the movie stayed pretty close to the movie. But Double Indemnity was a total flip. The first quarter of the movie was real close to the book, but then everything flipped. The ending to Double Indemnity in the book pimp-slapped the hell out of me. There has not been that many times where an ending of a book rendered me speechless, and Double Indemnity is the latest addition to the short list. I am not going to tell it because you have to read it for yourself, but I have no doubt that it’ll get you too. Cain is one helluva writer! I haven’t had the chance to get to Patricia Highsmith yet. There are some awfully interesting AA books coming down the pike, so Ripley is going to have to go on the back burner for a minute, probably until the summer when I usually go on my Winter Wonderland reading vacation.