Posted on Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Why ‘Empire’ is Causing Me to Have a Midlife Crisis: Season 2 Starts Tonight at 9 pm!!!

Editor’s Note: Since my favorite television show is back tonight I thought I would repost this blog entry from earlier this year! Enjoy 🙂

Hello World,

I don’t know if this is a delayed reaction to turning 40 years old almost two years ago as this September, but I am just now starting to feel like I’ve hit middle age…And I’m not sure what to do about that…

It started when I binge watched the first four episodes of “Empire” at a friend’s house…I had heard about the show which is a modern and hip hop version of the Shakespeare tragedy “King Lear.” But instead of King Lear struggling to divide his estate between his three daughters, Lucious Lyon, a music mogul, is struggling to hand over his empire to one of his three sons: Andre, Jamal and Hakeem. Complicating the struggle is the return of Lucious’ ex-wife Cookie, who went to jail for 17 years for dealing drugs. However, the drug money was used to start Lucious’ career in the rap industry and fund the construction of his music label Empire Entertainment and Cookie holds that detail over her ex-husband’s head once she is released from prison…

So although I had heard about the show, I wasn’t anxious to add the hip-hop soap opera to my already full TV watching schedule (RHOA, The Walking Dead, Y&R, Being Mary Jane, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, etc. ). But at a friend’s house where I was along with other friends, I decided to watch at least one episode with them…I promise you I did not move from my spot on my friend’s chair for several hours, long after the rest of my friends fell asleep. I almost had to be told to leave…I.was.hooked…But I was also troubled…Cookie, who is portrayed Taraji P. Henson, has three sons…The oldest one, Andre, is a college graduate and her youngest son, Hakeem, is 17 years old! How can Yvette (also portrayed by from Taraji P. Henson) from “Baby Boy” be old enough to have three sons?! I mentioned that my friends while we were watching “Empire,” and one of my friends replied, “We old, girl.” And remember when Terrance Howard, who portrays Lucious Lyon, was the tenderoni Brendan King that Max on “Living Single” was ashamed she was dating? When he did get old enough to sire three boys?

That was my first inkling that maaaybe I’m not as young as I feel on the inside or look (don’t act! fingers snapped)…

Then three new radio stations, referred to as classic hip hop stations, debuted in metro Atlanta…While I’m loving the music, I don’t know about you but any music genre that is preceded by the word “classic” is really just another way of saying old folk’s music…And when you think about it, hip hop, which was once this new pulsating street phenomenon, has been around for at least 20 years at this point…20 years ago, “Empire” couldn’t have plausible because there were no hip hop moguls 20 years ago…But now, we have Diddy, Jay Z, Dr. Dre and Suge Knight (God bless him…smh…) and others who have amassed a fortune in hip hop and built their own empires…

The fact that I’m old enough to have amassed a fortune (but haven’t) was my second indication time is moving for real for for real….

A few weeks ago, I saw Will Smith on Jimmy Kimmel promoting his latest movie “Focus.” During the interview, Will Smith said his youngest son, 16-year-old Jaden, is now driving…I remember when it was announced that Jada was pregnant with him…And then Will was asked to rap…He was still good, but it was like watching your uncle try to “bust a move.” That lean and hungry look that most young rappers have at their prime had been replaced by the ease and comfort that wealth and a few good meals will bring. Don’t get me wrong…Will Smith looks fit, but he also looks older…And if the Fresh Prince has gotten older, where does that leave me? (Yes, ’80 babies, Will Smith was a rapper before he was a actor…)

And this is the moment when the drip drop of a leaky faucet finally gave way to the flood of realization that I’ve hit middle age…

And now that I’m thinking out it, there have been other clues, but I’ve ignored them until now…

In no particular order…

Lauryn Hill daughter’s Selah is 16 years old…We’re not event talking about Zion, her oldest child…

Lil Kim had a baby…Yes, Lil Kim had a baby…I still can’t believe she is someone’s mother

Erick Sermon had a heart attack…Rappers are old enough to have heart attacks now…

Eminem’s daughter Hailie is 19 years old!!!

Yo Yo married a mayor!!!

Diddy’s son Justin is in college…

Snoop Dog’s son, who is a football star, is heading to college

Maybe if I have had children by now, all of this wouldn’t have taken me by surprise…but now I know why nephew shakes his head and averts his eyes when I try to dance in the front seat of my car when I hear my jam, I’m old…

Any thoughts?

Posted on Thursday, September 17, 2015

Crushin’ & Cussin’: ‘Born Again Virgin’ Season 1 Episode 8 & 9 (the Season Finale!)Recaps

Hello World,

I’m back with your regular dose of a weekly “Born Again Virgin” recap. And this time I’ve got two since after Episode 8, the season finale of BAV was broadcast as well! But don’t despair, “Born Again Virgin” AND my recaps will be back in December!

Episode 8: “Woman Crush Wednesday”

This episode was officially titled “Off to See the Wizard,” but I think “Woman Crush Wednesday” was more apropos for this episode. And you will find out why shortly! This episode begins with Jenna, Kelly and Tara having a meal at a restaurant somewhere in Atlanta. (Sidebar: This restaurant looks familiar, but I couldn’t quite place it. However, I did recognize another restaurant in this episode that I will reveal later.) Kelly is eating sweets like she wants to go into a diabetic coma presumably because she is going through a drought. However, Kelly, does stop eating sweets long enough to scold Jenna when her credit card is declined. “Maybe it’s time for you to get a real job,”she says to Jenna who is trying to live off of her blog about being a born again virgin.

In the next scene, Jenna is making pancakes for Donovan as she apparently owes him dinner but cannot afford to take him out. At this point, her bank account must be pretty much empty if she can only afford a box of pancake mix. I say this because Jenna doesn’t look like the type of girl who would make pancakes from scratch. Donovan, while appreciative of Jenna’s gesture, is not too pleased that he will be forced to eat pancakes, potentially making his rock hard abs go soft. As the two are eating, Kelly, who is trying to make partner at her pr firm, interrupts their dinner to tell Jenna about a new opportunity at her pr firm. Apparently, Kelly’s firm is handling an account for famous fashion designer Quinn Reed, who is portrayed by none other than Tichina Arnold aka Pam from “Martin” aka Rochelle the mama on “Everybody Hates Chris!” Apparently, Quinn Reed is starting a fashion blog and is in need of a ghostwriter. Jenna, who is a big fan of Quinn’s, is elated about the opportunity to work with the fashion designer and boost her bank account!

When she meets Quinn, the worldly fashion designer who comes off like a Svengali, Jenna is surprised that the fashion designer is just as enamored by her as as she is enamored by Quinn – but for different reasons. Jenna comes over to her home where Quinn allows her try on one of her dresses, a cute little black dress. Not only does Jenna compliment Quinn for her clothes, she notes the designer’s skin is flawless and asks her about her skin care regimen. Quinn reveals that is the “sweat from younger women” that keeps her pores tight. Wayment….But it is Women Crush Wednesday….

Tara, on the other hand, takes it upon herself to help Kelly, who is now eating cupcakes (albeit mini ones) for breakfast, with her dry spell. She sets her up with a man from her “Never Did” file. Kelly agrees to let Tara fix her up as far as her looks are concerned AND with a man. With Tara and Donovan a few tables away to observe, Kelly, who is wearing a little black dress as well but with the sides cut out, platform heels and a black wig with blonde highlights, meets the man for dinner at Tom, Dick & Hank on Abernathy! (Yes, I recognize this restaurant!) This chocolate hunk, who looks like a mini cupcake himself in comparison to the chocolate cake of a man in the finale episode (yes, more on that later), assumes that Kelly wants to skip the appetizers and go straight to dessert. Kelly, who has proven to have a sweet tooth, is nevertheless offended and ends the date.

Jenna, who was not expecting Quinn to hit her on her, returns to Quinn’s home after running scared not only to apologize but to make sure her money is still straight. Thankfully, Quinn still wants her to write for her blog and in general but she is willing to allow their relationship to be strictly business. Quinn tells Jenna that she read her blog and knows she has given up men. Jenna corrects her and says she has given up on sex not men to which Quinn responds, “I just want to let you know that you have options.” Well, alrighty then….

Episode 9: Curses, Curses….

This episode was titled “TMF” which is an abbreviation for a the [expletive], but since this is a Christian blog, I’m not going there. This episode has the best beginning of all the episodes. Jenna is shown making out with a HOT, muscled, chocolate man in previous years and now he has shown up at her door step again. The born again virgin is forced to reconsider her celibate stance since the hot pilot has breezed into town. He is her kryptonite as she has never been able to resist him in the past, and you know what they say: the past is the best predictor of the present….Hmmm….

Kelly, who hasn’t sworn off sex, is nevertheless swearing calling her boss “tmf” because he promoted a co-worker, who has only been at the pr firm for six months, over her. Also, not only is Bryan, the co-worker, not as qualified for the promotion as she is, he is also male chauvinist asking her to take notes at a firm meeting and saying she talks too much like other women.

Tara, who is forever on the prowl in more ways than one, has her eyes on a hot designer bag that is way out of her budget. This scene reminded me so much of the SATC episode in which Samanatha lusted after a Birkin bag (So that threw me off a little bit, and I didn’t like it because it felt unoriginal.) But Tara’s cash is not long like Samantha’s cash was so she has to resort to other methods. So Tara ,who hasn’t sworn sex either, decides to parlay a paramour for a purse…In other words, this man, a judge, loves to lavish gifts on Tara, particularly after sex. However, this time instead of offering to take her to the store to buy the purse and hand it over to her, he simply pulls out a wad of cash and puts in the night stand. Tara is insulted because cash on the nightstand is the universal sign for prostitution although parlaying a paramour for a purse is pretty much prostitution in my eyes…

Anyway, the three women meet in the kitchen to discuss temptation, “tmf” and Tara. Both Kelly and Tara tried to get advice from Jenna regarding their respective travails, but Jenna seemed to be “tied up” with Vince in her bedroom. Still, they were able to think through their problems by themselves. Kelly has decided to quit her job and start her own pr firm, swearing while she is telling the story. Her swearing means she has to contribute money to the girls’ swearing jar where they are hopefully saving enough for a girlfriend getaway to Jamaica. Tara, who confronted the judge in his courtroom about leaving cash on the nightstand, ends up with a bag and a proposal. She proudly shows off her engagement ring which leads to Jenna stringing together a few swear words of her own. More money for swearing jar! Although she is happy for her friend, she is a bit discouraged that Tara’s stance on sexuality has resulted in kissing singlehood good-bye while being a born again virgin has pretty much only led to her being broke. She is so broke that she has been stealing from the swear jar, and there is not enough money to go to Jamaica after all! And now it is time for Jenna to spill what happened with Vince. Is her born again virgin status still intact or did she succumb to temptation?!!! Jenna reveals that while they shared some hot and steamy kisses, she remains a born again virgin…More to be revealed in Season 2 of “Born Again Virgin!!!”

Did y’all like my recaps?

Any thoughts?

Posted on Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Forum for Theological Exploration Hosts Community Panel Discussion on Millennial Faith, Leadership & Diversity

From left to right: Stephen Lewis, Minister Natasha Patterson, Christina Repoley, Dr. Rodger Nishioka and Rev. Reginald Sharpe

Hello World,

Although Dr. Rodger Nishioka’s mother and grandparents were U.S. citizens living in California , they as well as thousands of other Japanese Americans were rounded up to be jailed during World War II. Since Nishioka’s grandfather was a leader in a local farmer’s union, he was thought to be spy by the U.S. government. While they waited to be jailed, they were forced to live in an internment camp in the desert. As they were being transported from a bus station to the camp, a white woman passed out sandwiches, fruit and juice. She told them she was a Quaker and a Friend. This one act of kindness eventually led to Nishioka’s grandparents and mother, who were cultural Buddhists, becoming Christians and subsequently Nishioka, who is an associate professor of Christian education at Columbia Theological Seminary.

Nishioka was one of four panelists in the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) panel discussion “Generation We: The Future of Faith, Leadership & Diversity” held at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta on Tuesday. The other panelists were Minister Natasha Patterson, chaplain resident at Emory University Hospital; Christina Repoley, executive director, Quaker Voluntary Service; and Rev. Reginald Sharpe, campus pastor, House of Hope Macon Church. Stephen Lewis, FTE president moderated the panel discussion.

Christina Repoley

Diversity was one of the key topics that Lewis discussed with the panel, noting with all of the progress that has been made regarding diversity in government, the workplace and other areas, the church is still one of the most segregated institutions on an average Sunday morning. Simple acts of kindness extended to other races, as Nishioka noted, can encourage diversity in Christianity. “That is why I am a Christian today,” he said. Patterson suggested a new approach to diversity. “Real diversity is not just honing in on differences but also appreciating similarities.” Repoley, a Millennial, emphasized that intergenerational diversity is also important. “We don’t want our faith communities to just be young people.” She also noted the importance of bridging tradition and innovation. “In order to have vibrant fruits, you have to have deep roots.”

Lewis also questioned the panelists about the role of the Church as it relates to the #BlackLivesMatter movement, Ferguson, Missouri; South Carolina and other hotbed issues, particularly as it relates to the Millennial generation who are fueling much of the social activism. “Young people are watching to see how the Church will respond,” said Lewis. Sharpe noted that xenophobia is one of the root causes of what transpired in Ferguson, Missouri; South Carolina and in other locations. “We are always trying to make someone who is different from us deficient.” Nishioka, who noted that while he is not a Millennial, is writing a book about Millennials and how they have left the church. His book “Absent in the Pews: Ministry with Young Adults” will be published in 2017. While conducting focus groups with Millennials, he discussed various innovative ministry approaches and asked them if they would be moved to return to church as a result. Although they liked the innovative ideas, they said they still wouldn’t come back to church. Frustrated by their responses, Nioshioka went to asleep that night but was awakened by an audible voice of the Holy Spirit who said, “Why do you keep asking them to come to you?” Repoley noted that one way to attract Millennials is to see the work of Millennial social activism as ministry and ask them how to support them in their ministry. “When faith communities actively support and love them where they are and celebrate their social justice, they want to come.”

Me furiously taking notes.

A view of the panel and participants in the discussion.

The panelists also discussed leadership in ministry and how to support leadership. Nishioka said that 60 percent of master of divinity students are out of the ministry in five years, according to the Association of Theological Schools. He noted that three skills would help these students remain in ministry over the long term: imagination, resilience and being able to read context. He also mentioned that clinging to the John 15:4 is vital. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”

For more information about the work of the Forum of Theological Exploration, “a leadership incubator that inspires young people to make a difference in the world through Christian communities,” please go to fteleaders.org.

Any thoughts?