What I've Been Reading Lately

Well, it’s Friday. A lot of our US-based readership will be enjoying a 3-day weekend.  The weather’s getting warmer, the days are getting longer and melon’s in season. I thank the stars for the technology that allows us to watch shows online – including the file sharing sites. It’s pretty much the only way to view previously aired shows in foreign countries, canceled series and finding future faves.

The company that successfully negotiates streaming rights from Scrooges for globally licensed content will be a game changer. And I firmly believe that the territorial grips, region restrictions and parsing episodes actually prevents broadcasters from boosting the audiences they claim such austerity measures are designed for. They killed Napster, but didn’t stop society from moving beyond outdated models. Their bottleneck business practices won’t yield the financial rewards they seek until they release these restrictions.

Continue reading What I’ve Been Reading Lately after the jump

Womanly Words Of Wisdom: Audrey Hepburn

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!”

Audrey Hepburn

Your Goal For The Week, Month, Year & Life!

I’ll add this to specify how we want to be part of something meaningful, that adds value, fulfills our creativity, lifts our spirits,  brings inner peace, teaches us how to be our best, encourages authenticity and more…

When 'Feminist' Sites Use The 'Plight' Of Black Women (In This Case Regarding TV Show Scandal) To Fuel White Dominance

Wasn’t that Season 2 Finale of Scandal a jaw-dropper!! They added a whole, extra layer to daddy issues and Liv’s secret family connection Superpowers, didn’t they? Well, we’ve got all summer to TRY to digest that revelation.

In analyzing the projected images of black women in the media, something popped up last week I’d like to discuss. Just call this episode 2,957,931 of the long-running serial: All The Blacks Are Men And All The Women Are White. Did you hear the good news? The lead actress of the hottest tv show going done got herself on the cover of a “major (white) fashion magazine”!! Congrats to Kerry Washington and ELLE. This has NEVER happened before, so let’s celebrate!!!See all the variations of “homegirl finally got a cover” on the Interwebs for reference.

**Scroll down to the end of the post if you want the surprise revealed.

FYI, they did throw her a big party in NYC (see photos below)which isn’t something ELLE does every month.

I’m just curious though, wasn’t Revenge dubbed the hottest show on tv last year?  How many magazine covers has series lead Emily Van Camp done?  Taraji P. Henson is the lone female on Person Of Interest – also hugely popular. Melissa McCarthy has both a successful tv show wrapping its third season (Mike & Molly) AND gets top billing for her film projects. Number of covers? Lucy Liu of Elemental – also a hit. What about the pretty, young stars of the various CW and ABC Family shows getting followed by paparazzi everywhere?

Let’s not forget The Good Wife. This show wins Emmys and has a who’s who of guest stars. Number of fashion mags for series lead Julianna Margulies? She’s arguably the most recognizable of all the actresses listed amongst a general audience. JM was on the ubiquitous series ER and at one time the highest paid actress on tv, turning down a $27M deal to extend her ER run. And I’d be remiss in not mentioning Marishka Hargitay, because hasn’t everyone seen at least one episode of Olivia Benson in Law & Order: SVU? It’s going into its 15th season.

As we see even popular white actresses are also facing an apparent blockade from being queen of the fashion monthly. Funny, I haven’t heard any discussion of it. Have you? Yet, somebody decided to push this meme solely focusing on one particular actress from a certain tv show. WHY??? Let’s dig a little deeper.

Continue reading When ‘Feminist’ Sites Use The ‘Plight’ Of Black Women (In This Case Regarding TV Show Scandal) To Fuel White Dominance after the jump

Today's Empowerment Message Is Brought To You By The Letter 'S'

You learn something new every day if you’re open. I’ve been re-evaluating my own happiness quotient which I’ve shared a little bit here. I was also doing some reading on confidence, which can mean something as simple as expecting a positive outcome. Which can be difficult when we’re not sure of anything. Here’s a new word I’ve begun adding to my vocabulary:

sophrosyne

Continue reading Today’s Empowerment Message Is Brought To You By The Letter ‘S’ after the jump

Womanly Words of Wisdom: Laura Ingalls Wilder

What Is That Law About Equal And Opposite Reaction?

When I received the latest email list entry from Danielle LaPorte on embracing sadness, I smiled. You see, I recently wrote a blog post about taking a happiness shot. Like I said then, I don’t believe we can be “happy” 24/7. Sad or happy, they’re flip sides of the same coin. I wouldn’t want a discussion about being happy to be a false front negating a complete inventory of our emotional life and times.

Perhaps I should further clarify that by stating I don’t believe I can be (fakely) happy like that. I’ve always been introspective and inquisitive. I’ve always asked questions, from great philosophical treatises to specific personal ones (of others….and myself). I suppose a person could with very a narrow focus, little self-evaluation or a medicinal diet of uppers remain in symbiotic joy. That’s not real, but it sure is convenient for most.

A segment of modern society wants us to bear all our scars for public consumption, be it reality tv for fame and profit, confessional time with a religious representative for absolution or the therapist couch for relief. The first is a study in unexamined self-indulgence or intentional self-exploitation for attention — which could strangely be used to gain a higher profile with increased opportunities for elevation. Go figure!

Continue reading What Is That Law About Equal And Opposite Reaction? after the jump

Survival Of The Best-Prepared Rules The Day!

There’s a post over at Mashable asking who could survive Doomsday. If you’re living or congregating in majority-black neighborhoods you’re in the midst of a Zombie invasion — and Michonne won’t be coming to save you.

For everyone else, imagine your worst-case scenario and do everything in your power to prevent it.

Continue reading Survival Of The Best-Prepared Rules The Day! after the jump

Did You Take Your Happiness Shot Today?

I’m Beta Testing the new site, “Happify” which offers scientific research and behavioral adjustments to diminish stress and hopefully give us coping mechanisms and a different outlook to feel more balanced  and joyful overall. Well, that’s my take on it since I don’t believe in cure-alls (whether it be chemical additives, sex, religion, big-ticket consumer goods, a better-than-thou lifestyle or reckless thrill-seeking) or even think we’re supposed to be “happy” 24/7.

There is no universal happiness in my opinion, because we are all individuals and wired differently. What satisfies one person, would incite another to jump off a cliff. Having support mechanisms in place help tremendously whether the person has a positive outlook or not. Biological and hormonal predispositions cannot be discarded either, nor the medicine that seeks to address some of these imbalances.

Since we seem to be operating under the assumption of free will and certain privileges being granted to us, then wouldn’t the logical progression be that we can be a fixed port during the storms of life  to a certain extent? Ignoring certain active circumstances that can have a negative impact or offer great benefit would be too dogmatic.

Continue reading Did You Take Your Happiness Shot Today? after the jump

Womanly Words Of Wisdom: Nina Simone

“Freedom is: No Fear!”

This might be pensive for those getting the a.m. feed, so watch it later when you can grab a quiet moment. You gotta admire songsmiths like Nina Simone, in one of her rare poignant moments on stage – after commanding respect of course!

We do each have our own stories.

What do you show the world?

Continue reading Womanly Words Of Wisdom: Nina Simone after the jump
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