Most Influential

As 2008 comes to a close, a lot of websites, magazines, newspapers, TV shows, etc., will be reminiscing about the fantastic year that was 2008. And it was a fantastic year, well for the most part. The presidential race was electrifying, the Beijing Olympics was stunning, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the first historically black Greek letter sorority, celebrated 100 years, and J.Jack* turned 25. That is a pretty good year.

Time magazine just named President-Elect Barack Obama person of the year and rightly so. I may be a bit biased... okay I am biased, but no one else deserves the title. President-Elect Obama, whether you like him or not, took the world by storm with his presidential campaign. The only person who came close was Sarah Palin, but her domination was on a national level, not a global one, unless we count Russia of course, and she was only in the forefront for two months of our lives then faded into obscurity. Definitely not enough credentials to be person of the year.

MSNBC just released their list for the most influential men and women of 2008 and for the most part I agree with the list- Barack and Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Tina Fey, Usain Bolt, and Michael Phelps just to name a few. You can view the full list here.

Here's why I'm mad:

Miley Cyrus? Huh? Did I miss something here? Miley Cyrus did manage to build an empire with her Hannah Montana brand (do not ask me how she did this), but is that enough to make her one of the most influential women of 2008? Who did she influence? As I read the article, I was left wondering what mark did she leave on the world, besides a blond wig and a host of screaming pre-teen fans. Cyrus, as talent-less as she may be, is a very smart girl who is one of the richest teenagers in America. But she is just that- a girl. If this list was produced by Nickelodeon, I would have no qualms whatsoever, however it is not. This is MSNBC and they could have done better. They could have done LOADS better- Nancy Pelosi, Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, or J.K. Rowling better.

To boot, they added the Jonas Brothers, another Nickelodeon alum to the list. I am not so angry about them because they used their celebrity status to bring more awareness to diabetes and they also have a fund that donates to 5 charities. HOWEVER, I am pretty sure MSNBC could have done better there too. Al Gore, Vladimir Putin or Muntadar al-Zaidi could have easily graced the list.

When talking about people who are influential, you mention men and women who made or are making a substantial impact for better or for worst. Not Miley Cyrus. Besides turning little girls' and parents' world upside down and being slightly schizo, she does not deserve to be on this list. Forbe's list? Yes. People's hottest 25 under 25? Sure. MSNBC's most influential? Not so much.

*personal plug

Birth Right

No introduction to this one so I will just get right on it.

Here's why I'm mad:

Apparently a whole host of folks are disputing whether President-Elect Barack Obama is legally eligible to be sworn in as our 44th President because of where he was born. The Constitution makes it explicitly clear that only a natural-born citizen of the United States of America is eligible to become President of this country. There are many people who have filed lawsuits questioning whether President-Elect Obama is rightfully eligible to be president.

Although his birth certificate has been refurbished by the state of Hawaii, they are still disputing it, saying it is not the real thing. President-Elect Obama has not physically shown his *birth certificate, but they scanned a copy and that still was not good enough. Not only is Obama's camp lying, but so is the state of Hawaii.

I think people need to really check themselves and stop eating sour grapes.

*Obama's birth certificate was physically shown to factcheck.org, who has legitimized that it is a real, undoctored document, with a raised seal and everything. Factcheck.org is lying too.

Problems

Everyone has them. Some days your problems are all manageable, other days they seem insurmountable- you just cannot get around them. There are days when I love my job, there are days when I hate it. There are days when the money I have is more than enough; others, not so much. That is just the way the cookie crumbles.

Just like everyone, I too get upset, I get angry and I "cop" an attitude. What is worse is sometimes there is no inherent reason for feeling this way. You are just angry because... well, just because.

Here's why I'm mad:

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT take your bad attitude out on other people. It is not fair and it is not right. If you want to trip, fine, but keep it to yourself.

I get angry... often. Maybe it is my passive aggressive nature, but I tend (or try) to keep it to myself. The main reason being I know I will snap if I open my mouth. We all have our bad days. It happens. The train came late, you and your man/girl got into a fight, your car stalled- things that you do not have control over. What you can control however, is the way you chose to react to all these different problems. I am tired of people snapping because their day is not going right. Guess what? That is not my problem.

However you chose to deal with your anger, punch a wall, shout to ten, whatever, that is your business. Just make sure I am not around. If I am around, be careful not to take your anger out on me because I just might return the favor.

This is life people and things happen. My advice to you- get a grip.

'Tis the Season

I need a gun. A big one. One that is going to blow the roof off this joint, but before the government flags me as a terrorist, hear me out.

Here's why I'm mad:

Recently, well actually a few months ago, Congress passed a $700 billion dollar bailout plan to the banks. Fine. They needed it. The economy needed it. Most importantly, the people needed it.

Fast forward to this week and another bailout bill was passed- well it is on the table right now. The auto industry, Ford, Chrysler and GM, decided they need handouts as well. Talk about Mr. Me Too.

The big three, as they have been appropriately named, flew to Washington, D.C. on their private jets, making a mockery of the entire situation. One of the CEOs, when asked if he would receive a salary of $1 as a symbolic gesture, said, "I'm okay where I'm at". Really? And we are? Even though you make millions annually?

The only reason why I am considering the bailout a good idea is because there are thousands of employees' jobs at stake. Otherwise, they do not deserve it. The big three made another trip to Washington, D.C. (sans private jet) and begged...er... asked again for another bailout. The $14 billion bill was approved in the House and by the White House, but "not I" said the Senate. And for once, I am actually agreeing with the GOPs. Good for you guys for digging in your heels and demanding some reciprocity.

The game of gimme gimme gimme has been played long enough. Now it is time to give give give. What are you going to GIVE in order to GET this money? Sacrifices have to be made, but no one is willing.

Until they come to a better resolution, someone, get my gun. These big three need to learn a lesson. Quick.

Black Men

I love Black men. I would love to sit here and tell you I love them in all their different shapes and sizes, but I would be lying. However, what I love most about them is the different shades they come in. You can never go wrong with the classic tall, dark, and handsome, but I have dated some light skinned-brothers that were quite fine, as well as a few caramel and milk-chocolate brothers. I will take them with dreads, a close fade, braids, does not matter. The fact is I will take them. Point blank. End of discussion.

I went out with a good friend of mine the other day and the place was filled with... you guessed it: brothers. To be more specific, brothers in suits. By the way, whoever came up with Happy Hour is a genius. We looked at these suave, debonair brothers and knew this was a good thing. Of course the fine, suave brothers never approach us but that is neither here nor there. Sometimes just looking at the forbidden fruit is better than tasting it.

Here's why I'm mad:

Nice, good looking man wearing a suit...

...and a Mohawk.

What black man has a corporate job and a Mohawk?

Men, you are not in college or high school where you are able to go with the flow in regards to fashion trends. Dress appropriately and more importantly, look your age. Just because P. Diddy did it does not mean that you can. News flash- it did not look good on him. Or Musiq. Or Chris Brown. What makes you think it will look good on you?

Unless you are Mr. T, do us and yourself a favor and leave the Mohawks alone.

Giving Thanks

I love Thanksgiving. It is not my favorite holiday (Easter is), but it certainly is up there. Thanksgiving is a great holiday for many reasons. The abundance of food is the most obvious and for a Jamaican family like mine, it is the most important. This year we had an array of Jamaican dishes: mutton (curried goat), eschoviche fish, etc. We also had non-Jamaican food items as well like macaroni and cheese, potato salad, and coconut shrimp. There were all kinds of deserts- banana nut bread, ice cream cake, and of course pudding (it is not a Jamaican Thanksgiving without pudding or black cake).

Of course there are other reasons why this is a fantastic holiday. We are able to give thanks for our many blessings, for life, for family and friends, etc. The days off are not bad and can someone say "Black Friday"? But besides all this, the food is what most people look forward to! No expenses are spared for Thanksgiving dinner. It is hands down the biggest feast of the year.

Here's why I'm mad:

I had a stomach virus.

Need I say more?