Oprah I Forgive You

Ok, today is a triumphant moment.

The moment when I forgive my number one She-ro for . . .Well, for making me really mad!

It goes back to last year or so-- I didn't like the way the whole "forum on hip-hop" episodes went. I felt they were one sided and attacking and I am not used to that journalistic standard from my Auntie Harpo (as I affectionately call her). I just guess I expected more from her. I expected the ideas of pro hip-hop speakers not to seem to constantly get cut off. I expected to see at least one woman in the industry represented there. Then there was the refusals to sit with Ludacris, who has some questionable lyrics, but no more so than any other rapper and who does a lot of amazing things for this community.

Oprah for me embodied curvy black female fabulosity. She made it ok to be a big girl, articulate (aka be told your entire life that you talk white), caring, opinionated, philanthropic AND in love with the island of Maui more than even me!

But the attack on hip-hop episode felt wrong to me and although she did a lot of amazing things since I just didn't have the same love anymore, UNTIL. . .

I watched a couple of great episodes with Dr. Oz, that fantastic show with Montell and now this. . .


(thanks to http://www.vladtv.com/)

Oprah got a thing for Jay-Z. "He smells so good" " I like the man not the music" - - - I think what she is feeling is what we all KNOW he's got a big *ahem* EGO . . .

So I salute you Auntie Harpo for keeping it real. For being a girl that gets the giggles and fantasizes about a rich rapper every now and again like the rest of us.

I am feeling you on Jay-Z Auntie Harpo. Jigga may be called "camel" by some (which ok I admit I've laughed at on more than one occasion) but he DOES have that certain "swagga." Not only that his wife is my bff (in my head) BeyBey, and would my BeyBey settle? Never!

So Auntie Harpo your trip to BK and love of Sean Carter have brought me back to my senses. To love you for the amazing woman you are, even though we don't always agree, I love you and you are forgiven . . .

Bowling, Fried Chicken & Music?

via @TastingTableNYC

One of the best ways for a curvy foodie like myself to find out what to eat is by subscribing to great newsletter's like Tasting Table, Urban Daddy, Thrillist & the like. This week Tasting Table DELIVERS with an article about BROOKLYN BOWL, a place that combines things I love to do---bowl (check), drink (enthusiastic check!) and eat yummy fried chicken.

The menu is inspired by the team behind the comfort food lovers of the Blue Ribbon outposts and includes delights (on it's preview menu--full menu this month): Blue Ribbons signature FRIED CHICKEN, Cajun-spiced "rock 'n' roll fries" ($7) topped with provolone and white cheddar; oyster po'boy sandwiches; and a half-rack of pork ribs painted with Brooklyn Lager barbecue sauce ($18).

Since this isn't diet food and because it is isn't fun to drink or bowl alone the calorie punching treats above should be shared with friends. Oh did I mention there's plenty of space to dance--making this a potentially calorie burning adventure. Lace up your rented shoes--it's time to get spanked bowling!

Brooklyn Bowl: 61 Wythe Ave WILLIAMSBURG, BK
(b/n North 11th and North 12th; G train to Nassau or L train to Bedford)

I'm back

I took a brief hiatus from writing for--well no good reason in particular, i guess I just got caught up--but I miss my little random blog about pop culture, music, food/wine and life but I am back just in time for the real summer that we are finally getting in NYC.

More to come soon . . .

Other Reasons Why I Crush On T.I.

HE GIVES BACK! (even when he's not court mandated to do so)

Thanks to Pam @ JLM PR for the information!

Yesterday T.I. was honored at VIBE Magazine's April Cover Issue Reception at the Eldridge in NYC. VIBE's April cover story "Cell Therapy" by VIBE Senior Editor Benjamin Meadows-Ingram, chronicles the superstar's history-making legal battle and gut-wrenching journey since his 2007 arrest related to illegal gun possession. T.I.'s Malcolm X-inspired VIBE cover photo was revealed at the private cocktail event, which was sponsored by Ed Hardy Vodka.




T.I. arrived straight from his afternoon visit to The Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club in the Bronx, where he spoke to at-risk youth about the importance of staying in school and avoiding the mistakes he's made. MTV was onsite, filming the experience as part of the aptly titled MTV Show, "T.I.'s Road to Redemption." The invite only VIP event included special guests Nick Cannon, Grand Hustle artist Young LA, Atlantic Records recording artist Maino, Warner Music Executive Vice President Kevin Liles, Atlantic Records' Chairman and COO, Julie Greenwald, Atlantic Records' EVP, Head of Urban Music, Mike Kyser, and VIBE executives, CEO Steve Aaron, Publisher Edgar Hernandez and Editor-in-Chief Danyel Smith.


Photo Credits: Terrence Jennings, Photographer

More G.O.O.D. Music From Kanye

According to THE COUCH SESSIONS, Kanye has added Mr Hudson and The Library as the latest signers to his label G.O.O.D. Music.

Say what you will about Kanye but the man has an amazing ear for new, interesting and progressive music*. And Mr. Hudson and The Library is no exception to this rule. I am liking their music (listen here) and two of my favorite tracks on Kanye's 808s and Heartbreak, Paranoid and Streetlights, are his musical productions. I can't wait to hear what he does for the Blueprint 3 for Jigga.

They are the kind of band that makes me want to see them live. Good music for a long drive, or to write a blog to. (smile)

(*SIDEBAR: It is a shame that Sa-Ra didn't make a bigger splash stateside, they are f8cking amazing)

Pizza-less Recession

So I am a rarity, an American woman who does not ADORE pizza.

I like a slice now and again, but usually prefer some type of protein based comfort food (like a burger or wings) as opposed to a slice of pizza. However, since I have moved to NY my taste for commercial pizza (Pizza Hut, Domino's, Papa John's) has gone from barely existent to negligible since there are plenty of great slices available from local pizzerias.

But, for once I am not alone in my pizza-less desire. The economy is really hitting the major pizza chains according to a recent article from the Wall Street Journal.

According to the WSJ "while the overall U.S. fast-food category experienced compounded annual growth of 6.4% from 2002 to 2007, pizza sales rose only 2.5% during that period." The WSJ article goes on further to say that pizza chains are losing out as Americans tastes require more healthy and organic food options on one hand (maybe the NYC transfat ban and calorie postings are working?) and on the other hand they are losing to less expensive burger and sandwich options.

This trend isn't surprising if you have been paying any attention to pizza chain ads. Pizza Hut now offers pasta and Domino's now sells sandwiches obvious attempts to delve back into the hearts and stomachs of the average American.

So it seems, that my preference for a burger is part of a larger trend and I'm not the outcast I once believed I was!

Why I Don't Do Primates

I get why people like primates. They look like little hairy human babies. They can do human things like surf the internet and appear in commercials.

But, it is JUST this reason that they CREEP me out. Well Chimps particularly creep me out. It's not that I don't agree that they are REALLY cute and remarkable creatures. It's just that they are a little too human for me.

Chimpanzees are 98.76% identical to us genetically but they are 5-7 times stronger than us. Their bones are denser, their skin is tougher. But, they are behavior is decidedly human, they remember, they can plan, and their males are very territorial and unafraid to use violence to maintain their territory.

Case in point this week in Conneticut a woman's friend was almost killed by a pet chimp. Imagine something with hard to penetrate skin, dense bones and 7 times your strength freaking out on you. There is speculation that some xanax tea the woman gave the chimp previous to the attack may have set him off. The woman tried to stab the chimp, but that only "aggrevated" the chimp.

There was another case in Southern California a few years ago where chimps attacked a couple trying to give their chimp "son" a birthday cake. They ripped the mans balls off--and threw them over 20 yards---

YEAH MAN--I DON'T DOOOOOOO CHIMPS!!!!!

Seriously, what is WRONG with these people---birthday cakes? xanax tea? wine?Tthey are ANIMALS----and should be treated as such. Still haven't had enough, still think they are CUTE? Read & listen to the SAD and GRAPHIC 911 tape from the Conneticut attack HERE