I just finished binge-watching the fourth and final season of this British show on Netflix. I’m not sure I like some of the choices made for some of the characters in this season. This is the most unpredictable, over-the-top, funny, with interesting lead characters and original script and ideas from this British production. I loved some of the back stories of the leading and supporting characters. You really got a chance to know why these people are the way they are after knowing about their backgrounds.
I did find it hard to believe that these high school kids were as progressive in this rural country town. They deal with topics like; trans kids, disability, homophobia, sexism, racism. One black character Eric always wore make up to school and was totally outrageous. That said I found his character to be delicious if over-the-top. Gillian Anderson from the X-files and The Crown is excellent in it, giving an award winning performance as usual. I give this show four stars because it stands alone and is unlike anything out there that I’m aware of.
Most people in this country know what these two famous numbers mean. It was twenty-two years ago today that The World Trade Center in New York was attacked by terrorists who used two planes as their weapon of choice. It was an awful day for New Yorkers and the country to see this happening in our back yard. We watch on TV, all the time, disasters are in other countries but would never have thought it could happen here.
My condolences go out to the families of lost ones whom I’m sure still feel the pain of that awful day and miss those they knew; whether related or otherwise, to such an awful fate. I think most people remember where they were when they witnessed the falling towers on the TV.
I was living in South Carolina at the time. I had worked the night shift and was asleep when a friend from Atlanta called and woke me up and told me to turn on the TV. I could not believe what I was witnessing. I started making calls to friends in New York to see if they were okay. The rest of that day I was glued to the TV as more breaking news emerged that a plane had crashed in Washington also taken down by terrorists.
I hope we never have to endure this again, but something tells me that anything is possible considering the political climate of this country and internationally.
I haven’t been following this young lady but she’s been popping up in social media a lot. However, when she reached the finals today playing Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open Women’s final, I started to watch halfway through. I immediately was pulled into the game and with bated breathe along with the New York crowd I’d applaud and holler when she won a point or a set. In the last set I was on the edge of my seat.
When she won I was so overjoyed for her. I teared up a bit with joy for her victory. I hope this is the beginning of many for her. When she spoke at the award ceremony, It was the first time I’d heard her speak and was struck how articulate and humble she was. I think she has gained a new fan in me and I will follow her career with interest and support.
Today is my Birthday and I’d like to thank everyone for the kind Birthday wishes. I deeply appreciate it.
Unfortunately, I spent the whole day, till now, resolving modem issues through TMOBILE, which started last night. It took 24 hours to resolve. My whole day was shot.
But that’s okay, I intend to make up for it in the coming months on a fabulous beach in the Caribbean.
The city of Atlanta has opened its doors wide open to superstar Beyoncé. The city has named August 11th, 2023 Beyoncé Day in honor of her Renaissance tour. She’s certainly bringing a lot of revenue to the city for her three dates here. The Marta rail system has even added more trains and buses to help with crowd control of the thousands attending.
I have much respect for Beyoncé and what she’s achieved not just nationally but globally. Her audiences are a cross-section of nationalities and they all love her. Diana Ross opened the door with the same kind of audiences and Beyoncé has kicked it open all the way with spectacular results and making her an even richer woman.
I’ve been watching videos of her concerts and am amazed at the responsibility this puts on her to be in good voice and remain healthy and unhurt for the whole of the tour. Everything rests on her. Then, I looked at the logistics it took to organize such a massive tour. The behind scenes crews at all levels, the dancers, singers, musicians, and all the admin and technology people involved in creating all the special effects. I may not even have covered all the parties involved to make this massive venture successful.
There seems to be a rivalry between her and Taylor Swift in terms of who is or will make the most money from their tours. It seems that Taylor Swift may be winning due to a more extensive merchandising strategy than Beyoncé.
Then there is the quality of the material. I like some of Beyoncé’s hits but some of her newer stuff I think may not be as memorable years from now. I may not be the best critic of her work though, because I’m not familiar with much of it. That said, I give her, her flowers for creating a global movement, even if some people don’t like her, they know who she is…sort of like Trump, but I digress.
Finally, I must say I’ve always admired her work ethic. She is where she is now because she works hard at her craft and has a team behind her bringing their ideas and expertise to make her look good. I wish her continued success. It must be overwhelming and gratifying to be in her position to receive all the adulation she’s getting. I sense one aspect about this lady, to her core she is probably a very good person with a big heart and I am glad the world is appreciating it.
Wayne Brady has come out as being pansexual. To be honest I had to look up the full definition of that word because I had a vague idea of it’s meaning; someone who can go either way. When I looked it up I was partially right. It is someone who is sexually or romantically attracted to someone regardless of their sex or gender.
Now I’ve always thought that Wayne could be on my side of the fence and if not he was straddling it. He says in his past there were times he’s been attracted to men but didn’t date them. Listen to those words didn’t date, does that mean that maybe he just had sex with them in secret? I know I’m reading between the lines here but he’s fifty-one years old, twice divorced (wonder why), is in showbusiness where he’s surrounded by queers and he’s never had the urge to suck a dick?
Why is he sharing this to the public now? Was it even necessary? Maybe someone threatened to out him and he thought he’d get ahead of the threat by choosing to say he’s pansexual so he won’t alienate his female fans. I’ve got news for you Wayne, NO ONE CARES. Do you and if you make up your mind what you are eventually go ahead and enjoy it to the fullest.
We lost Tony Bennett today and probably the end of an era of singers of his caliber. He was ninety-six years old, thirteen days short of his next birthday. I assume he was relieved to go because he had Alzheimer’s and that illness is no joke. Imagine not being able to remember things or express yourself. It was said that even in his later years with this disease he’d perform a show and get off stage and forget what just happened.
He won twenty Grammy awards and two Emmys among his accomplishments. I have his CD somewhere. I love his collaborations with Amy Winehouse and Lady GaGa. I’ve always loved his straightforward delivery of songs with an undercurrent of their true meaning infused in the lyrics.
I’ve been playing him all day while in my car, at the gym on my cell, and at home. His music and voice are playing in the background as I write. It is relaxing and inspiring me. RIP Tony.
My new short story A BRIEF OBSESSION is now available on Amazon. It is FREE today until midnight July 3rd 2023. This is a new genre for me. It is urban and does include some explicit erotica. Please get your copy and I’d love it if you left a review. https://rb.gy/0xbnq
This is a short story about a case worker named Helena who is overqualified and bored with her job until one day a client named Malcolm shows up and totally gains her attention in an unprofessional and inappropriate manner.
Helena is an ivy league college graduate from Spelman college in Atlanta who chose social work and now has regrets over that choice. She is job hunting for a job better suited to her skill set, while working for a non-profit organization that deals with poor people. Her job is to find them housing and hopefully a vocation.
When assigned to Malcolm, she is totally turned around by his masculine, physical beauty and intelligence which he hides behind a thug exterior. Helena finds herself attracted to him regardless of the consequences which in hindsight will be to her detriment. This story does contain X-rated graphic sexual content: erotica, urban, African American.
The Supreme Court just voted six to three into law that a business can refuse to service gay married couples based on their religious beliefs. Lorie Smith, who is a Christian graphic artist and web designer took her case to the court based on a hypothetical. Ms. Smith is refusing to serve any gay couples with anything to do with their marriage. She hadn’t even started providing marriage services to anyone at the time of the lawsuit, hence the hypothetical.
Critics see this as the Supreme Court giving other businesses a reason to discriminate against gay people period; with a whole myriad of other issues. Many states already have laws discriminating against gay people. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has mentioned going after gay marriage.
It is time for the gay community to wake up and stand up for our rights. Particularly those who are unaware of these changes because they don’t listen to the news. We, through the media and social media, need to communicate to our communities the pending danger of these laws that will take us back, denying the freedoms we’ve accomplished so far.
It is important we vote. Get registered now and not leave it to the last minute because it may be too late. It’s important we make politicians accountable for why we voted for them in the first place. Don’t just vote federally but locally also because those laws may have a more immediate effect on you.
I was scrolling through Netflix looking for something to watch and came across SUITS. I knew this was not a new show. It already had nine seasons but had been canceled. I watched the trailer and it instantly drew me in. It had a rapid pace, snappy dialogue, and characters to match. Once I started watching I knew I’d be bingeing for hours; so much for working on my novel as I’d intended.
The two main characters Michael and Harvey are excellent with great chemistry. The supporting cast is extremely strong. As I continued to watch Megan Markle popped up looking beautiful and killing it walking in tight skirts and very high heels. She of course is now the Duchess of Sussex and is married to Prince Harry. But she had competition from the other supporting actresses especially from veteran Gina Torres.
This show does deal with different court cases for each episode with their private lives interspersed. What I liked was that the stories weren’t formulaic like a lot of shows, where the format was always predictable and you knew what was coming next. Gabriel Macht who plays Harvey should be a better-known name than he is because this role was made for him. Patrick Adams who is Michael carries the show because much of it is from his point of view. He is so likable and can take you from moments of joy to the reverse.
They say the show was canceled due to Megan Markle leaving the show to marry Prince Harry. Which is too bad. Even though I haven’t finished binge-watching yet, I hope this show does not end up like many other hit shows, where the writers come up with outrageous ideas just to keep us interested because they believe we have short attention spans.
Aaron Blackwood 