Blondie, I Did Not Forget You

I am shocked that this pop-diva is not given her due these days. She showed how it was done. 


BTW, mama always sang live, despite these videos, and wrote many of her songs. 


Moreover, mama turned it out at CBGB, which was like the Apollo for our white brothers and sisters.


Sunday Girl



Dreaming



Heart of Glass

Good People Rock And Need Love Sent Back

Good people, because I love you, I give you this. Enjoy!

Haikus: From Me, To You

This first day of Spring has put me in the mood for writing Haikus.  Good people, here I go again. I hope you enjoy.


Spring

the earth starts to breathe
a supple world of new life
blooms around our feet

House Chores

over and over

the goal to be clean and neat

a task with no end

Smart Phone

touch, swipe, choose an app
world wide web at my command
I am George Jetson

Deja Vu All Over Again

Singing Cowboy in NYC circa 1950s - Photo by Frank Oscar Larson

Singing Cowboy in NYC circa 2000s - Photo by Vramdal

The more things change, the more they stay the same. I gagged when I saw this image taken, of a cowboy singing for his supper, during the 1950s in Times Square. 

I gagged because I immediately thought of Naked Cowboy pimping himself out to tourist in Times Square since the late 90s.

It's all just a little bit of history repeating. 

BTW, Mr. Larson's work is currently being shown at the Queens Museum in NYC. Click here for more.

I'm 44, And I Can Kick, And Stretch

I made it good people! I have been on this planet for 44 years. In numerology 44 is a master number, therefore, this should be a year of me having the potential to achieve material and financial accomplishments.

I have never been a truly materialistic person, however, some financial stability would be nice. I want the freedom and experiences that come from being financially liquid. It would be nice to get my broke off and be able to live a little.

With that said, here are some thoughts on life in my mid-forties:

• It is so weird to hear the music of my teen-years being played at the local Stop & Shop supermarket. The most surreal moment was hearing Prince's Little Red Corvette, while I picked out   bell peppers. 
• I am still kinda gag a bit when people call me "sir."
• I feel sorta silly about not knowing how to drive. "I'm a New Yorker, fear's my life." 
• Thank you mami for taking me to see Bob Fosse's Dancin' when I graduated the sixth grade. Seeing a Fosse show, as my first Broadway show, made me a theatre queen. 
• I have to be mindful how I share my opinion when twenty-somethings talk to me. I don't want to become that know-it-all older dude. I learned to share  experiences, and then dropping my wisdom in a way that is not judging their accumulation of experiences as an adult. 
• I have become really good at striking up casual conversations with total strangers. Moreover, I don't really get bent out of shape if it doesn't go well. 
• I still cherish my biological family and inner-circle of friends that have become my other family.
• Ewww, to the little aches, pains and growing ear hair. WTF!
• I miss Marcos everyday, but I know his spirit is going through a divine metamorphosis. 
• If I ever have a 28" waist again, it means that something is seriously wrong. 

Ugggh! Downton Abbey Jonesing

Thank goodness that I have some clips to help me get through my Downton Abbey withdrawal until the next season airs.

Random Thoughts

I am on mid-winter break, so I get a chance at some much needed rest. I'm also trying to clear my head. So here is a purging of some deep and not-so-deep random thoughts.

- Downton Abbey was choppy and melodramatic this season. The whole Livinia thing was a bit much. However, I'm still hooked and dread the withdrawal while I wait for season 3.

- I was up and out handling my business on Saturday. Then, I went back to being a couch potato despite having a ton of things to do. Arrrgh! I have to learn to keep the momentum going.

- I don't agree with Brian May. Freddie Mercury would not approve of Adam Lambert as a frontman with Queen. I know Brian and the rest of the crew need the coins, but a mall queen. They should've looked for a real rocker.

- I indulged on Saturday. Now, let me pull in the reigns and pace myself again. While I need a bit of scandalous behavior in my life, I don't need to be a slave to my lower chakras.

- This Iran and Israel thing that is brewing, once again, would be so not good. It would set off some serious shit in that region. I hate war. 

M.I.A. Is A Badass Bitch...In Her Head

So the artist known as M.I.A. wanted to be badass and decides to give the finger during her performance at the half-time show. I have some thoughts about that:

• I want to see some pics of her asap. I am certain her face is bruised and scratched up after Madonna beat her for points, while screaming, "Bitch! This was about me! How fucking dare you try to take tomorrow's headlines!"
• Girl, where you M.I.A. when Janet showed her pierced tit a few years back? How in the hell did you think giving the finger would come even close to being as scandalous? That was a weak ass attempt at trying to shock the crowd. 
• Real badass bitches do not dress up like a Universal Studios theme park gladiator, and lip-synch a whack ass song at the Super Bowl. You being there is you joining in the mainstream, and really saying F U to the fringe. You are living too far in the center to even begin to think you are edgy.
• Cliche, cliche, cliche.

'Nuf said.

Jean Loving On Amy

The Couture shows have shown. There was some controversy about Jean Paul Gaultier using Amy Winehouse as a muse. Amy's daddy was not happy.

I say Jean was lamenting the fact he never got to dress her. Therefore, he took his flight of fancy, in true couture spirit, and dressed her within the context of a loving memorial.

Click here for the rest of the couture artistry.

On The D Bus

So, on my bus ride home a 20-something girl trapped in a woman's body tried to hustle her grandmother for some money via the phone.

This is how it went down. Mind you I couldn't hear the grandmother's responses, but the 20-something woman-child talked loud enough for everyone on the bus to hear the sloppy begging and pleading.


Girl In Woman's Body: Hi Nana, I need money.

Grandma: (responds but unheard)

GWB: I have no food at home.

Grandma: (responds but unheard)

GWB: I don't get that money until the 3rd.

Grandma: (responds but unheard)

GWB: I don't have anything at home, and I didn't eat all day.

Grandma: (responds but unheard)

GWB: I was calling you all day and I even texted you.

Grandma: (responds but unheard)

GWB: Why don't you love me?

Grandma: (responds but unheard)

GWB: Then you should do me the favor.

Grandma: (responds but unheard)

GWB: I find it hard to believe I spent $1,000 in one month

Grandma: (responds but unheard)

GWB: All you did was just buy me two pairs of pants and a shirt.

Grandma: (hangs up)

GWB: Fuckin' bitch! I hate her.

It seems like GWB has leaned on Grandma way too many times, and the well is running dry.

GWB better make a budget, keep a well stocked pantry of essentials, and whip up those inexpensive but satisfying in between-paychecks meals.

Too bad GWB can't look past her own self-created drama, and realize that perhaps Grandma is also struggling to make it from paycheck to paycheck.

GWB needs to grow the fuck up!

Morgan Freeman Sharing His Life-Lessons

For the first time, I watched Oprah Presents Master Class. I watched it because Morgan Freeman was one of the television teachers that taught me how to read, when he played Easy Reader on The Electric Company.

Morgan has also blew me away in many of his movies with his amazing performances. Therefore, I wanted to see what Morgan has learned along his journey.


Here are the bullet points. Many of his lessons I've heard or learned before, so I felt I got confirmations.

If you have a chance watch the repeat of this episode to get these lessons within the context of his life.

• nurture your natural gifts
• find your safe haven
• sometimes you have to change roads....when you have made your choice providence is your guide
• just keep going
• wisdom can come from unlikely places
• declare who you are
• make the best of every situation
• follow your own muse
• hold on to your principles
• be irreplaceable
• create a lasting partnership
• you have to listen
• challenge your courage
• the universe is unfolding as it should...be at peace with yourself, you are as important as the stars

Bobby Deen Cleaning Up Mama's Mess

I find Bobby so sexy. 

Yesterday, I saw Bobby Deen's show Not My Mama's Meals. In this show Bobby retools his famous mama's, Paula Deen, classic recipes in order to bring down calories and fat.


I gagged when Bobby revealed that his mother's Shrimp and Grits dish has over 1,000 calories and 40 grams of fat. These numbers are like Burger King numbers.

Paula recently announced she has adult onset type 2 diabetes. Duh! She also put out that she always talked about eating her food in moderation. Yeah right! If she can't do it, most of her viewers can't do it.

How that cutie Bobby managed to survive a childhood of Paula's kinda cooking is a miracle.

BTW, a lot of folks have called Paula out on her style of cooking before and now after her announcement of her living with diabetes. Here is a link to Renee's take on the whole thing.

Downton Abbey Returns!

I found myself squealing this morning when I remembered one of my favorite shows returns to tv tonight. I know I'm on the late train with this, but I am addicted to Downton Abbey. Tonight season two of this British novela begins.

This show has everything you want, great actors, interesting characters, and scandals for your nerves. If you haven't seen it, please look for it. You won't be disappointed.

Once again please refrain from calling or texting between 9-11 pm. You know who you are.

Watch Downton Abbey 2: The Critics Can't Stop Talking on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

P.R. All-Stars. Squeeeeal!

This is what I will be all wrapped up with this evening. Please refrain from calling or texting. You know who you are.

I'm Home Again

Hola good people, yours truly is in NYC right now! I'm here for a couple of days and I'm just taking it all in and enjoying myself. It's been awhile since I visited, and here are some current highlights:

- While I'm standing outside Rocco's Pastry on Hudson, I over hear a man in his sixties talking to a friend. The man says, "My concern is that in the recordings of the wiretap, it will come out that I was unfaithful to my wife with several women. Should I tell this to my lawyer?" The man than listed for several minutes and replied, "So basically you are saying honesty is the best policy." I guess better late than never.

- Fran Liebowitz is walking in front of my sister and me. Wow, she walks real butch. Slowly a motorcycle pulls up to the corner as we are crossing the street. The rider cranks on the accelerator and makes the hog roar. Fran then flips him the middle finger and keeps on walking. Like I said, she rolls real butch.

- I'm here with Gino and I'm meeting other dog owners. I met a lovely woman that was walking a tiny poodle that was rescued from a puppy mill. The poor dog kept spinning in circles, it seems she was caged most of her life and tends to spin around a lot. She also keep offering her rear end to Gino, she was put to have litters several times over during the past five years. May puppy mill owners burn in fucking hell, and shame on the people that buys dogs from those mills.

Merry Christmas To All

I wish you all peace and joy this holiday season. May the new year bring you not only what you want in life, but also what you need.

Remember to live, love, learn and pass it on!

The Line Between Student and Teacher Relationships

I was gagging as I read this article in the Times about school districts having to implement policies restricting teachers from getting connected with their students through social networks and texting.

I was very surprised to see that some grown folks don't use their common sense in this situation. At what point does it make sense to "friend" a student of yours and invite him or her into your personal life, via your online presence?

Children don't really know boundaries unless you clearly set some. Over the years students have tried to blur the line between our teacher and student relationship. I quickly help them course correct.

This is how I handle this situation with my students:

Student: "Mr. S do you have a facebook page?"
Mr. S: "No. Facebook is for you young folks."

This prevents a student from looking for me on Facebook and requesting I "friend" him or her.

Student: "Mr. S do you tweet."
Mr. S: "No. Tweeter is for you young folks."

I actually don't tweet.

I do leave room for students to interact with me on a somewhat social level because at times they will need an adult to confide in if they are experiencing something heavy like bullying or abuse.

Moreover, we see each other five days a week for hours, and we are human beings that develop connections to one another.

However, I am not their father or friend. And, my students are not my kids.

When students open up to me about any problems they were having, I listened compassionately and guided them to the right person in that school that could help them. In other words I respond as a professional.

With that said, there are exceptions to this rule. I have a handful of "friends" on Facebook that were my former students from when I taught in high school.

My rule was modified to included any student that was 18 or older and attending college, and the relationship will be as mentor/mentee.

Oh and it is by invitation only to students that displayed a mutual respect and a certain level of maturity.

Peter Pan Syndrome In Effect

Quidditch has gone muggle. Well, at least they are getting more of a workout if they had played baseball.

I Went All Lemming On Myself

I gave into peer pressure and got a smartphone. I did get the phone at an extremely discounted price, but my monthly cost went up $20.  I took the bait and got hooked.

I'm curious to see if after a few weeks if I feel at ease with joining the herd. BTW, my students don't laugh anymore when they see my cell phone.

A Virtual Fashion Magazine Moment

I realized today that is has been years since I indulged in flipping through fashion magazines.

My Titi Maria always had Vogue, Elle and GQ on her coffee table. She loved fashion, and was quite stylish on a very tight budget.

I forgot how much I would love looking at fashion magazines and imagining a story to go along with the editorials. Fashion magazines were one of the things that provided me with moments to escape a hard-knock-life childhood. 

In my teens I decided to go to the High School of Fashion Industries. It was very daring on my part because most of my friends and family stayed in Brooklyn for high school, however, I was determined to take the L train to Manhattan and become part of the fashion world. 

I loved my years at Fashion High, but I soon learned I didn't have the discipline nor patience for crafting garments. I did learn my true talents would require me to pursue other dreams. Yet, to this day I still remain an admirer of great fashion and design. 

I also still love strong and brilliant fashion editorial work. Here are images that fueled my imagination during the morning. The images are courtesy of VMan Magazine, and the captions came from my twisted mind. 

The Contessa kept her most valuable possessions close to her. 

Very Krafty how they Werked this. All aboard for the Trans Europe Express.

Watersports

I'm pretty mama.

A High-Fashion X-Man 

Bring back the Pompadour!

Oh Johnny! Why you go and fuck up the way you did?
Stay off the drinking and drugging so you can return  back into fashion.

Men are dogs! Genius styling at this shoot.