Michael Vick

I haven't posted all month - how is that possible. I am so so sorry! I have had a million things I wanted to share, but could never get to a computer before a million new thoughts took over (smile)!

Alright. Point #1. Michael Vick. Can I say it again. Michael Vick. Now, it is obvious I have a tremendous crush on Mr. Sexy Chocolate. But I won't bore you with the details of that and other fantasies right now. Let's talk about the dogfighting.

I love animals, simply adore dogs. Do I love dogs more than humans. No? Do I want to see Mr. Vicks entire life be streipped because of his "cruel and inhumane" activity. No. Let me back up:
The first question I want to address is the one I hear by many of my black professionals, who seem repulsed by Mike's very name now. "How could he be so cruel?" They ask. Let me answer from my own experience.

When dealing with someone who lived in extreme poverty, their baseline for unsavory activity may differ slightly from the sterile suburban America. Most people, innercity poor or suburban wealthy abhor dogfighting, as do I. However, I know for a fact that many young black men who are attempting to live life without selling drugs turn to dogfighting as a more honest way of living. I'll stop and let that one marinate. Now, I am not saying I agree with it, it just is the way it is. That said, I know the area Mr. Vick grew up in, and I can tell you that dogfighting is, undoubtedly, another hustle for some trying to stay out of the game.

For that reason, I don't turn up my nose that he may not be as sensitive to it as most of us. However, once he became a millionaire, why stay involved? Is it really that impossible to leave the ghetto in the ghetto? I don't know. And I don't want to speak to that. What I do know is that I hate to see this young black man lose everything over this. Are we attempting to rehabilitate him, or simply strip him of everything he has? And why? Why is he banned from the league prior to having ever made a plea or having his case tried. Why is he guilty before being proven innocent?

You know how this goes. When they questioned his buddies they said, in any variety of terms, "we don't want you, we want Vick. So you should plea." And plea they did. But prior to both Mr. Vick's plea and the pleas filed by his "friends," the media and the league already determined his guilt, labelled him filth, and set about to destroy everything that he has accomplished. I think it is a bit much for dog fighting charges.

If he fought dogs and ruthlessly killed them once he was a multmillionaire, then there is an issue there that needs to be addressed. As far as I am concerned, he can handle that with his psychologist. He should probably be fined and have to serve some community service. Dog related, of course. Also, dog fighters love their dogs, so I doubt that Mike is an animal hater.

I really don't understand why it goes much farther than that. High profile pedophiles (Woody Allen), wife beaters (random athletes that I won't name), child molesters, etc...just seem to be a different level of criminal than a dog fighter, don't they? Why is the NFL treating Michael Vick like he is Ray Caruth? Lets see, have your pregnant girlfriend shot in the stomach and attempt to make it look like random violence, fight dogs. Hmmmmm. Maybe I am missing something here, please feel free to add your two cents....

Emotions

Emotions can be debilitating - controlling. On e moment I am feeling fine, the next I am sad. Sadness, I hate it. It is such a liar, such a depressing emotion, especially when there is no reason to be sad. And I always wonder, around this time, why my emotions are jumping around, nosediving and flying - every month I forget that this is what I go through, how my body carries out is womanly restoration. These emotions can be so , so difficult.

My feelings were hurt today. Not by a word anyone that I actually know said. Nope - my feelings were hurt becuase someone didn't say something I expected them to, which unraveled a whole swirl of self doubt, what if and why nots, because a strangers tongue didn't take the path I expected. Isn't that silly. I almost started not to write tonite. Definitely too emotional. But I forced my self to the computer-with pad and pen by my side for other revelations tha tI record on paper and not via internet-and here I sit, affecting someone who was completely fine until they read this depressing, pathetic post.

So sorry, I will keep my sadness to myself from now on (if I can contain it!!)

Tidbits, Again

ALright - I went to see the Bourne Ultimatum. Matt Damon is phenomenal. I mean, his transformation into the Jason Bourne character is so complete that I have to force myself to remember that he is just a character.

Which leads to some self revelation of mine - I have always been attracted to that Jason Bourne distant, doesn't talk too much, very confident, physically astute, not too many friends, not too social type of man, but very comforting to have on your side and very intimate type of man. Interesting.....I am going to leave that topic alone fore now, before I get into trouble.

Secondly, Diddy did it to me again. I sat down and watch an entire hour of television tonite. 1 whole hour. I rarely waste time like that unless, of course, it is one of my favorites like the Wire, Sopranos, or basically any HBO Sunday night series. But anyway, I gave it up, to see Diddy be his wonderful best and carve out a band. After much suspense and an obviously painful session of trying to judge, he did something I never thought I would see. Diddy backed down. Simply walked away. Said, "forget it," let the fans decide. Which annoyed me because, with the exception of our cousin being in the finals, I watch the show for Diddy and all his distant, rude, clever Diddiness. So, I was more than upset that I didn't get to see his aloof deciding brilliance - but I will watch the finale. Highlite of the show - making the two braided brothas get much needed haircuts. Double Highlight - when the one boy with braides had glitter all over him and Diddy kept telling him, you got seom glitter on your forehead, right there...If you didn't know, Diddy was just clowning....Hilarious

Thirdly, I caught Kimora Lee's show yesterday. I know that this is unexpected but - I adore Kimora Lee Simmons. She has taken beauty and its definition to another level and, similar to the Devil Wears Prada, while it may not seem all that important to the rest of us with real issues, like paying the bills, Kimora does take fashion very serious and it begins to make since when oyu watch her long enough. She is the most ICONIC mother I have even seen. Flyyy for lack of a better word. With baby girls in tow. How could you not love it?

She has picked up a banner to represent multicultural ethnic look in a way that black folks don't seem to do so often. I LOVED when she went off on the Barbie lady. She was like - NO IT IS GOING TO BE CALLED KIMORA BARBIE. YOU ALL KEEP TRYIN TO TAKE BARBIE OFF OF IT, BUT LITTLE GIRLS NEED TO KNOW THAT THEY CAN BE BARBIE AND NOT HER LITTLE SIDE KICK. The Barbie rep wanted to choke. GO AHEAD KIMORA. I luv you for that one! Her other quote of the night was on being a mama - "my girls are permanent, they are here with me no matter what. Everything else comes and goes, money, clothes, cars, homes and husbands. But my girls will be right here." Spoken like a tru sister who is working life for all that its worth.....