Things That Make Me Go Hmmmmm - THIS Week (Batman, Lamar, Twerking, Folgers Coffee)

ABC News Article - Twerking: A Scientific Explanation.  Welp.  People are STILL talking about Miley Cyrus' VMA (MTV Video Music Awards) performance.  ABC News even jumped in the mix with an article they posted yesterday about the "science" of twerking.  Included in the post: An Auburn University professor's twerk break down (no pun intended *side-eye*) for those who want to know more.  No.  No--I'm not kidding: http://dld.bz/cNGJp

Folgers is America's #1 Coffee Brand - Yep, you heard it right.  Folgers is top dog in the $100 billion coffee world. Bloomberg Businessweek recently reported  that Americans buy more Folgers than any other brand.  Sorry coffee snobs (Starbucks soldiers), you came in at...number #5 on the list.  

Ben Affleck Is The New Batman - Warner Brothers announced recently that Ben Affleck will replace Christian Bale in the highly anticipated Batman-Superman movie that's scheduled to be released in July of 2015.  Listen.  I like Ben Affleck, but I gotta give a side-eye to him playing Batman.  I mean...huh?  Somebody want to explain that to me.  I'm listening.  *steeple fingers*

Lamar "Lam Lam" Odom - Drug addiction is no laughing matter.  If the reports of Lamar's drug addiction are true, it's really sad.  To make matters worse, reports are out that he's missing too.  Lord, this story is like an onion - layer after layer after layer.....

Judge Postpones Jodi Arias' Penalty Phase Trial AGAIN - This has GOT to be the longest criminal trial, re-trial, penalty phase trial in American history.  I mean, how MUCH is this costing taxpayers???  

 

Tie Tuesday (Congressman John Lewis)

I met Congressman John Lewis a few years ago and got a chance to sit with him in his office in Washington, DC.  I sat and listened for hours as he shared his personal stories about the civil rights movement.  I was in awe.  Speechless.  

The fact that he held no bitterness, no anger and no malicious feelings about his experience impacted me.  It takes a special person to live in a place of peace after that journey.  I was humbled by his presence and vowed to do my best to emulate that in my own life.  

Congressman Lewis joined tens of thousands of people on the National Mall this past Saturday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 March on Washington.  He was a featured speaker at the march and urged the crowd to continue to fight for equality. He also expressed his outrage about the recent high court decision on voting rights by stating, "I gave a little blood on the bridge in Selma, Alabama, for that right to vote."

Take a look at Congressman Lewis' full remarks here: 

Conversations With A Virgo... (Volume I)

Virgo season is HERE!  *dances for 5 seconds*  If you're blessed enough to have a Virgo in your life, you are one lucky mojito.  

Listen.  Virgos are special.  And we know it.  Not in an arrogant kinda way.  Nooooo!  Virgos are the least arrogant of all of the zodiac signs.  Matter of fact, we tend to be genuinely modest, and would rather the attention be on others than ourselves.

Don't get me wrong, we have our ways.  Boy, do we ever!  If you're in a relationship with a Virgo, friends with a Virgo or you casually interact with a Virgo, the conversation will probably go like this: 

COMMENT:                                                                          VIRGO RESPONSE:     

"You're just so hard to read."                                              * blank stare * 

"So, everything in your closet is in sections,                    * smiles proudly *
labeled AND color coordinated?" 

"You're really shy."                                                               * sinister laugh * (If only they knew)  

"Hey, Stranger."                                                                    * sigh * 

"Why didn't you respond to my text message."                * sighs, again * 

"You're an introvert."                                                            * shrugs * 

"Sometimes....well, you act like you don't care."             "I care. I really do."  * side eye *

"How many times are you gonna review that?"               * sips smoothie* 


I told you...Virgos are special.  Don't judge us. :-)

Tie Tuesday (George Duke)

The music industry lost one of its greats recently....

When most people mention George Duke, they call him a jazz keyboardist.  But he was so much more than that.  He was also a producer, composer and arranger of some of the most amazing songs of all times.  A musical genius.  

You may not know this, but George Duke's career spanned almost 50 years.  Fifty years! Talk about longevity.  During his career, he collaborated Miles Davis, Frank Zappa, Michael Jackson and many, many more.  He also worked as musical director for the Soul Train Awards, and many other special events throughout the country. He even scored songs on soundtracks for "Footloose," The Five Heartbeats" and "Karate Kid III."  

I'm totally convinced there was nothing he couldn't do musically.  His talent was priceless, and his legacy will impact  and influence generations of music lovers.  He left us with some really great stuff.  His absolute best work.  His heart and soul.  How can you not love and respect someone like that? 

     

 

Vine Video Of The Week - "I Said YMCA!"

Instructions: Unmute (top left corner) and laugh. You're welcome. :-)

Gloria Steinem Didn't Fight For This....

*sigh*  "Tina" from Florida, wants you to know: 

No caption needed.

Disclaimer:  The posting of this picture does not, in any way support "Tina" and her efforts.  *sigh again*

Tie Tuesday (Steve Jobs)

He really needs no introduction....  

Steve Jobs changed the world with his unwavering passion and vision.  He created a whole new meaning to the word "Apple."  He made technology fun!  His journey?  Full of successes, mishaps and failures.  He did things his way without comprising who he was.  Even if it ticked some people off.  I SO respect that.  

Steve is gone, but not really.  He'll always live in our hearts and....in our iPods, iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, etc. 

His life will play out on the big screen this Friday, August 16th.  Ashton Kutcher will play the lead role.  The biopic will chronicle Steve's journey from the start of Apple in 1976 to his untimely death in 2011.

I have so many Steve Jobs "favorite" quotes, but the one I love the most?  My all-time favorite?  It has to be this one: 

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life.  Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice.  Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.  They somehow already know what you truly want to become.  Everything else is secondary."

What Is PR & How Is It Helpful? Glad You Asked....

First Things First, What Is PR - Public Relations? 

If you're a PR professional, you should know the answer to this question.  And you better be able to answer it quickly and accurately.  If you can't?  Well now... It's time for you to reevaluate some things.  But if you're a business owner or just curious, here's the gist of it:

PR is what people think of you once you've left the board room.  What they say about you once you've left the party.  It's perception.  It's how a person feels after they leave your store or receive services from you or your staff.  It's how people remember you.  It's part reputation and part branding.  Ask yourself, when people think of me, my company or image, what's the first thing that comes to mind?  

How Is PR Helpful? 

Your reputation impacts your market capitalization.  In other words, people's actions (i.e, purchasing products, supporting an organization, person, event, etc.) are based on their perception.  So, if people think a business/person is unprofessional, has poor customer service and offers services that aren't valuable and/or priced fairly...what do you think?  You think they're going to support it financially?  Probably not.  

PR can help to change those negative perceptions.  How?  Many different ways.  A PR strategy should always be custom tailored to the needs of a business (No one size fits all approach!) That strategy can include tactics that focus on social media, traditional media, community partnerships or brand awareness.  

The great thing about PR is, it's one of the most cost effective, impactful commitments you'll ever make.  Trust me.  And if you don't believe me, listen to what Bill Gates, Co-founder and Chairman of Microsoft has to say:  "If I was down to my last dollar, I'd spend it on PR." 

** fade to black **
 

Note: This info is applicable to your personal branding and PR also.  Again, ask yourself when people think of me, what's the first thing that comes to mind?  Is it good, bad, complicated or "other"?  Be honest and be ready to make the necessary changes if you need to. 

Tie Tuesday (Bruno Mars)

*sigh*  Where do I start?  Wow....just wow.  Bruno Mars blows my freakin' mind with his talent:

• He sangs (no typo)

• He writes his own music and he writes for other artists 

• He plays almost every instrument 

• He dances (his pelvic thrusts are ummmm....yeah)

• His live performances are EVERYTHING  

In 2011, he was the biggest male selling artist in the world.  His videos have been viewed over 1 billion times on YouTube....25 international number ones.  I could go on and on, but you get the picture right?

But, while we're on the subject of Bruno.... I've been asking the universe to bless me with tickets to his Atlanta show (or Orlando--I'm not picky) for months now.  And because Jesus is a rock in a weary land, I'm gonna go ahead & say that this won't be a problem for Him.  Amen?  Amen. 

Pray for me, ya'll.  Thank you.  :) 

"Orange Is The New Black" - Totally Unpredictable And Real...Just Like Life

Rarely do I fall in love with anyone or anything quickly.  It usually takes me some time.  I can't help it, I'm a Virgo. :)  But after watching just one episode of the new Netflix show 'Orange Is The New Black', I was hooked!  (Lord, I need the new season to start ASAP!)

The dramady (drama + comedy) is based on a true story.  It follows Piper Chapman, a woman in her 30's, who by all accounts was living a pretty normal life.  Right up until she's arrested & sentenced to 15 months in prison for a decade old drug crime.  It's not a pretty story.  Nope.  It's not warm and fuzzy.  It's totally unpredictable and real.  Just like life. And that's why I love it.   

The actors' connection to their characters and each other is rare.  You can tell they're smart actors.  The characters they bring to life are far from perfect.  They're flawed and complicated.  And even sweet sometimes.  I found myself empathizing with convicted murderers.  Crazy, right?

Blame that on amazing writing.  Or dope storytelling (whichever you prefer).  The last episode left me wanting more, more, more! (I was literally clutching my heart!)  Whew!  That takes skill.  Kudos to the incredibly talented Jenji Kohan, the creator of the show.  She takes girl power to a whole other level!  

If you haven't had a chance to watch the show, go and check it out.  You won't be disappointed!  And it's available on Netflix only, so you can view it any time, any place, anywhere you want.  Swag.

Here are a few of my favorite lines from the show:

• "I'm not going crazy. I'm surrounded by crazy, but I'm not going crazy."  -Chapman
  
  
• "Chocolate and vanillllllla swirrr-earl.  Swirrr-earl."  -Crazy Eyes
  
  
• "I'm gettin' out b*tches!"  -Taystee (no typo)
  
  
• "You need to man up."  -Sophia's wife
  
  
• "I do like I do."  -Crazy Eyes
  
  
• "Dear Mr. Christ..."  - Chapman
  
  
• "Dandelion...."  -Crazy Eyes

Girl Power - Preschool Edition (Anala Beevers, 4 Year-Old MENSA Member)

She never leaves home without her map of America.  She knows every state AND the capitals.  By the tender age of 4 months old, she knew the English alphabet and when she was 1 ½, she knew her numbers.  In Spanish. 

Her name is Anala Beevers, she's adorable and she's so smart that MENSA invited her to be a member.  MENSA is the organization for smart people.  Really smart people. You have to score at the 98th percentile or higher on a standardized, supervised IQ or other approved intelligence test.  So yeah, you gotta be smart. 

And Anala is....well, take a look below to see for yourself.  And check out her pink fingernail polish!  A girl after my own heart. :)  #THINKPink  #GirlPower