I’m a little confused.

Beyonce´ portrayed Etta James in the movie “Cadillac Records”, which was released in December 2008.  Beyonce´ sang James’ song “At Last” in the movie and gave many praises to James for being a living legend.  All was well.  You can even see the first video below for yourself:

 Then, Beyonce´ sang the same song for President Obama and wife, Michelle’s first dance at an inauguration ball.  Ever since, James has been quoted as saying she “can’t stand Beyonce´”.  What???  See this next video:

All this is making me wonder what’s wrong with Etta James.  Not only what’s wrong with her, but people in general.  Why can’t people be happy for the success of others?

Beyonce´ has won ten Grammy Awards and is awaiting the results of recent nominations.  She has her own fashion line, House of Dereon.  She endorses Pepsi, Hilfiger, and L’Oreal.  She is also married to rapper/mogul Jay-Z, making the couple, the highest earning couple of 2008, according to Forbes magazine.  She has donated time and money to charities, is good friends with members of her Destiny’s Child singing group, and has a good relationship with her family.  This singer, song-writer, producer, actress, and fashion-designer seems to have it all.  What’s not to stand?  Or is that the problem?

I won’t get in to the string of issues James has encountered throughout her lifetime.  You can click on the link above and read for yourself.  However, I think it’s safe to say that she hasn’t had the same success that the Beyonce´ has enjoyed in such a short period of time.  Does this have something to do with why James can’t stand Beyonce´?

Beyonce´’s interpretation of James’ song has brought new audiences to this old classic… and new fame to old James.  I think James should be thankful for that.

Is there something you are admiring about someone?  Maybe you admire something they have?  Money, fame, power, or love?  Instead of wishing bad on them, thinking of ways to undercut them, or trying to dissect whether they deserve it, be happy for them.  Being happy for someone else is a far better state of mind than envy or jealousy.  I think we would all be so much happier by just being happy for others.

Since Valentine’s Day is around the corner, I thought you may also enjoy Beyonce´’s beautiful rendition of the song “At Last” (in first video).

1.  Twenty-two-year-old, Danny Platt, of New Orleans, allegedly murdered his two-year-old son by slashing his throat.  After several conflicting stories and a confession, police believe Danny did so in order to avoid paying child support.  He was court-ordered to pay $446 in regular support and $4,000 in arrears.  It doesn’t get any lower than this.  My heart goes out to the boy’s mother.

2.  John Travolta’s sixteen-year-old son, Jett, died after a series of seizures while the family was vacationing and had just celebrated the new year together in the Bahamas.

3.  Dr. Dre’s son died also.  Andre Young, Jr., age 20, overdosed on heroin and morphine.  Although his death occurred in August of 2008, findings from the toxicology report were just released this week.

I know these families must be devastated.  I hope they find comfort and peace during their period of mourning.

4.  On a lighter note (didn’t mean to bring you down), Rebecca Romijn and her husband, Jerry O’Connell, welcome twin girls .  The couple’s first children were born on Dec. 28th.  This is technically 2008 news, but hey–close enough.  Besides we needed a pick-me-up.  Congratulations to one of the stars of one of my favorite movie series, “X-Men”!

5.  Ten-year-old, Malia, and seven-year-old, Sasha, attended their new school , Sidwell Friends, yesterday.  Their dad, President-Elect Obama, focused on our country’s economy while their mother and secret service agents accompanied the girls to school.  Good luck and Godspeed to the nation’s first daughters as they acclimate to their new learning environments.

As we end another year and begin the next, I am looking forward to all the good that 2009 has in store.  I know everything won’t be perfect, but I hope to learn something and grow from everything.  I also hope to shed any negativity from 2008 and start 2009 renewed.  Isn’t that really the beauty of beginning a new year… a new day… a new you?

Since it is common to reflect on the previous year before fully welcoming the next, I’d like to review 2008 and what I learned:

1.  IN LIFE:

My daughter celebrated her first birthday this year on October 23rd .  Well, really she just looked at all of us like we were crazy while WE celebrated her birthday.  What did I learn?  Life is a blessing and everyday should be a celebration.

  She had cake for the first time and enjoyed it… a lot.

2.  IN DEATH:

Several unforgettable celebrities died in 2008, like:  Bernie Mac, Charlton Heston, Ertha Kitt, Heath Ledger, Isaac Hayes, Odetta Holmes, Paul Benedict, Paul Newman, Roy Scheider, Sean Levert, Sydney Pollack, and Tim Russert.  The timing of most of these deaths was very unexpected.

In addition to celebrity deaths, I experienced a more personal brush with death when my grandmother passed away on October 9th. I learned from this… well, I was reminded that life is short.  Make an effort to spend quality time with your family.

  This was the last picture taken of my grandmother.

3.  IN ENTERTAINMENT:

“The Dark Knight” grossed $996,900,728 worldwide.  I learned that I’m not the only one who enjoyed this movie.  I also learned that it’s ok to kick your feet up, relax, and just be entertained sometimes.  In fact, it’s necessary.

4.  IN SPORTS:

During the 2008 Olympic Games, Michael Phelps , a champion swimmer, won the most gold medals (8) at a single Olympics ever.  I learned that with determination and training, one can do anything.

5.  IN ECONOMICS:

Our country is facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.  I personally know of three professional people who have been laid off due to the slowing economy.  Banks have been loaning less and less money, the automobile industry was close to collapse, and both of these cornerstones of our economy were bailed-out by the government.  Home values slumped, credit card interest rates and property taxes increased, and foreclosure and unemployment rates continued to rise.  Gas prices soared and then plummeted, leaving people distrustful about all this crude oil business.

What I learned from this economic mess is: 1.  Material things are definitely not as important as safety, health, and wellness.  2.  Save money and plan for the future.  3.  Budget wisely and purchase only what you can afford.  4.  Things come in cycles.  This, too, shall pass.

6.  IN POLITICS:

Barack Obama became the first black, first non-continental US-born (although, in the state of Hawaii), and most attractive man to be elected President of the United States.    From this I learned that America truly is a land of opportunity.  You can succeed no matter where you come from.

I could go on… but, I have to put my daughter to bed.  She’s not really adjusted to our move yet.  She’s waking in the middle of the night, having only a short nap during the day, and screaming every time between.

What did you learn in 2008?  If I get a lot of feedback from this post, I may continue it tomorrow with Part II.  If you’re uninterested, I’ll move on to something else.

I wish you and yours the best new year possible!  Stay safe and be well!

Happy New Year!!!

  Will and Jada Pinkett Smith earned $85 million last year, making them #2 on Forbe’s “Hollywood’s 20 Top-Earning Couples ” list.  Very impressive.  Will Smith is also #10 on Barbara Walters’ “The Ten Most Fascinating People of 2008 ” list.

Will and Jada have been married for 10 years, may practice Scientology (unconfirmed), and have 2 talented children, along with 1 child from Will’s previous marriage.  While all of these things are enough to spark discussion, what I find particularly interesting is Will’s view on divorce.

During his interview with Barbara, scheduled to air Thursday, December 4 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET), on ABC, Will said again that divorce was not an option in his marriage.  He feels that couples who are willing to have divorce as an option will get a divorce.  He has remained firm throughout their marriage that he took “’til death do us part” literally.  He also admits that marriage is hard, but you do whatever you have to do to make it work.

My husband and I say the same thing.  We have had the pleasure of watching both sets of our parents remain married to the same spouse for over 30 years.  We have observed good and bad times.  We have admired and abhorred both positive and negative aspects of our parents’ marriages.  We have conceded that, yes, marriage is hard… and we have affirmed that we are willing to do whatever it takes to stay together… ’til death do us part.  (so, you’ll know who to look for if I end up missing or dead from unknown causes)

What do you think?  Is there something that your spouse can do that’s so bad to you, that even if you don’t want to divorce, you see no other option?  Is having a “no-divorce” policy setting yourself up to be trampled on with no recourse?

I surely hope during this interview, Will clears up the ambiguity surrounding whether he and Jada have an open marriage or a marriage with open, honest communication about their desires and feelings.  That’s a can of worms blog for another day.

Oh, boy…

“The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “People Magazine ” first broke the story of the world’s first pregnant man.  Now, that “he” has had the baby, Barbara Walters had an exclusive interview with “him” that will air Friday, Oct. 14th, on ABC’s “20/20″ at 10 pm ET .  Barbara revealed on this morning’s “The View” that “he” is pregnant again, due in June.

I know you’ve noticed all the quotation marks throughout the first paragraph.  If I wasn’t referring to a magazine or television show, it was there because I have trouble calling the person a man.  Upon the transgendered man’s own admission, he retained his FEMALE reproductive organs because he wanted to get pregnant one day.  So, just because SHE had her breasts removed, took testosterone, grew a beard, had her name changed to “Thomas”, and is legally recognized as a man–SHE, just like every other woman who has given birth, became pregnant.  This is not news, folks.  If you have female reproductive sex organs, and they function properly, you too, can become pregnant.

You’re probably looking for me to say all kinds of ugly things about Thomas and his wife, Nancy, who is now breastfeeding the five-month-old baby girl.  But, I wouldn’t dare.  It’s not for me to judge him/her or anyone else.  They made a choice.  People make choices everyday, some more controversial than others.  Thomas said he had a right to do this, and I agree.  He had the right.  His family will have to face the consequences of the decision as we all face our consequences daily.

My problem is with why the headlines read like a scientific metaphysical miracle has occurred…like a MAN finally got pregnant.  If Thomas had completed the transformation and no longer had his female parts…or someone who was born with male parts ended up pregnant, then THAT would be a story.  This headlining news story just continues to prove one thing–MEN CANNOT GET PREGNANT.

People have said that this story challenges how we view families and our ideas about gender.  I don’t think that it does.   Sure, I agree–Thomas, Nancy, Baby Susan, and the new baby-on-the-way are a family.  Yes, Thomas legally changed himself to a man, but since his body still has the female reproductive organs, he vaginally gave birth to his daughter after 40 hours of labor, and is living as a man only in name and dress, SHE is female.  I’m not challenged on this at all.

What do you think about this?