I’ve been a Williams sisters fan for as long as I can remember. I can appreciate and admire the visibility and respect they’ve garnered for their masterful prowess on and off the tennis court.  Thanks in large part to having parents that care.  Following this weekends outrageous on-court outburst, there’s been a lot of talk among die hard tennis fans that Serena should be suspended or worse for her behavior. The line judge made a pretty bad call at a questionable point during the match, but that doesn’t excuse her bad behavior.

I think we can all agree that her reaction was like whoa times ten. Despite that, I feel the need to defend her mostly due to the racial garbage that’s been spewing around the internet since the infraction. Can’t an athlete have a bad day, get fined and penalized, lose the match and still retain their dignity? We all have them. Bad days, you know. It happens to the best of us and I can understand where her frustration arose. I do not support the behavior in any way, shape or form, but I’m still a fan and I know she is going to come back stronger and better than before. That’s just how the Williams sisters get down.

“If I could, I would take this … ball and shove it down your … throat,”  Williams said. 

I know that line judge was thinking “Oh No She Di’int!”

Serena issued an apology on her blog with the following statement.

Hey guys!!!

I want to amend my press statement of yesterday, and want to make it clear as possible — I want to sincerely apologize FIRST to the lines woman, Kim Clijsters, the USTA, and tennis fans everywhere for my inappropriate outburst. I’m a woman of great pride, faith and integrity, and I admit when I’m wrong.

I need to make it clear to all young people that I handled myself inappropriately and it’s not the way to act — win or lose, good call or bad call, in any sport, in any manner.

I like to lead by example. We all learn from experiences both good and bad. I will learn and grow from this, and be a better person as a result.

Xxxx,

S

The greatest basketball player in the history of the game has just been inducted into the Hall of Fame. It’s about time. His speech was touching, emotional and shows that MJs heart has always extended far beyond the court. Here’s to a great basketball player. Catch a glimpse into the greatness that was and still is Michael Jordan.

The dirt on Jay-Z’s shoulder wasn’t exactly easy to brush off at the close of the MTV music awards show, but I just want to know one thing, “dang, lil mama, what in the hell were you thinking woman?” Not much if I’m to go off of her recent track record. Total disrespect.

“I’m on MTV’s payroll so it’s all good.” The funny thing is I didn’t even know who this chick was before she appeared as a judge on America’s Best Dance Crew.

Moving on.

Kanye, Kanye, what more can I say. You went and made an ass of yourself on Sunday. Although I’d like to think that last night you sealed your fate. I know it ain’t so, cause like Joe Wilson, you’ve got a lot of people behind you. But, even you know that your behavior was deplorable. Take a big step back, slow your roll, short man. You really think it’s cool to be grown and throwin’ tantrums? And all for what? Little boy, grow up. And if you gonna rep Chi-town, take notes from Common Sense. Or keep actin’ like Da Brat and get locked up again. You talked all big about how you’re a changed man, yet you’re still acting just like a heartless little prick. Dude, what gives? It’s about time you trimmed the fat off your foolish pride. A little humility never hurt anyone, you outta give it a try.

I will say this, Kanye apologized for his actions. I get his logic, but snatching mics is not cool man. Thankfully, Beyonce and Taylor Swift know a little something about showing dignity and respect. Beyonce ended things with the perfect touch of class. Mad props to the both of them.

Final thought: Kanye needs to collaborate with a piece of humble pie, for a start. Seriously, I can see him approaching Taylor swift for a collabo later on. You heard it hear first. And I’m out.

Peace and Love

I love this video and it may be just the thing I needed to bring back my passion for the people of Chicago and the Black Eyed Peas. Eh, who knows. All I know is this video kicked more ass than the ass kicking my teammates and I got on the field today. We had so few players I ended up playing on the defense, offense, kicking and receiving teams. All in all, we played damn good. I got another intense workout and it ended in a very honorable loss (21-34). Anyway, I hope this video makes you smile, or more. Oh and if you start to watch it and are like wtf at first, just keep watching, trust me. Remember, happiness is contagious and so are smiles. Peace & Love

image: peace_by_s_AINT_15

AP Photo/Matt Sayles

Chicago Tribune
Fox announced Wednesday the talk show host and comedian, who admittedly has no formal music experience, just a passion for tunes, would join Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi for the ninth season. The announcement all but seals the departure of Paula Abdul, the original third judge who announced she was quitting amid a contract dispute in July.

The announcement came as a shock to many of the popular singing competition’s fans, who did not expect the Emmy-winning talk show host to fill Abdul’s spot. DeGeneres told her talk show audience in an episode scheduled to air Thursday that she had been “dying to tell everyone” and would not abandon her chatfest. Instead, she will have “a day job and a night job.”

“The times we’re living in,” she quipped, “we’re all doing that.”

Abdul had been replaced by a succession of guest judges across the country as “Idol” started next season’s auditions. Among them: Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry and Shania Twain — but not the 51-year-old DeGeneres, who will join the ninth season following the show’s tryout rounds.

“Hopefully, I’m the people’s point of view because I’m just like you,” DeGeneres said on her talk show. “I sit at home and I watch it, and I don’t have that technical … I’m not looking at it in a critical way from the producer’s mind. I’m looking at it as a person who is going to buy the music and is going to relate to that person.”

It won’t be DeGeneres’ first time in a reality TV judge’s seat — or on “Idol.” She served as a guest judge earlier this summer on “So You Think You Can Dance,” critiquing the dancing competition’s top eight finalists. In 2007, she was the co-host of “Idol Gives Back,” the singing contest’s charity event. She returned the next year in a pre-taped segment.

“Beyond her incredible sense of humor and love of music, she brings with her an immense warmth and compassion that is almost palpable,” said “Idol” executive producer and FremantleMedia North America CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz. “She is one of America’s foremost entertainers, and we cannot wait to have her join our team.”

Directed by Lee Daniels’ the film is set in Harlem in 1987. It is the story of Claireece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), a sixteen-year-old African-American girl born into a life no one would want. She’s pregnant for the second time by her absent father; at home, she must wait hand and foot on her mother (Mo’Nique), a poisonously angry woman who abuses her emotionally and physically. School is a place of chaos, and Precious has reached the ninth grade with good marks and an awful secret: she can neither read nor write.

Precious may sometimes be down, but she is never out. Beneath her impassive expression is a watchful, curious young woman with an inchoate but unshakeable sense that other possibilities exist for her. Threatened with expulsion, Precious is offered the chance to transfer to an alternative school, Each One/Teach One. Precious doesn’t know the meaning of “alternative,” but her instincts tell her this is the chance she has been waiting for. In the literacy workshop taught by the patient yet firm Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), Precious begins a journey that will lead her from darkness, pain and powerlessness to light, love and self-determination.

This film is set for limited release on November 6, 2009.  The trailer looks amazing. Tyler Perry and Oprah have come together to bring us another inspiring moment of truth. I’m looking forward to seeing it. If you haven’t read the book, I highly recommend it. If you’re anything like me, you’ll read it in a day. Push by Sapphire. It will move you.