Rapper Da Brat Was Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

Shawntae Harris aka Da Brat was sentenced to 3 years in prison, probation and community service Friday, August 22, 2008. She plead guilty to felony aggravated assault.

In October of 2007 Da Brat was arrested after an altercation with a waitress at a night club owned by producer Jermaine Dupri.

It was reported that Da Brat and this waitress got into an argument that evening. After that a shoving match began which escalated into Da Brat taking a bottle and smashing it in the waitress’s face.

What is going on? Earlier this year Rapper Remy Ma was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Celebrities are not immune to being victims of crimes or being the perpetrators of crimes. But to work hard to reach any level of success it’s inconceivable that they would throw it all away behind foolishness.

I remember when “doing time” was a bad thing. No one wanted to do a “bid” even if all they were doing was hanging out on the corner.

I don’t want to go to jail or prison. It’s the same thing to me they both mean being “locked up.”

First of all they would need at least ten bailiffs to remove me from the courtroom. They might even have to pepper spray and tase me as I struggled to get away. And then when they finally got me out of the courtroom they would have to beat my white knuckles with batons as I held onto doorways, furniture or anything I could get my hands on.

There would be no dignity for me.

This is not the first time Da Brat had a run in with the law. If she’s given second and third chances what will it take for her to learn?

Evidently three years in prison.

I hope that this lesson doesn’t break her; hopefully she learns from it and comes out a stronger and wiser person.

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King of Comedy Bernie Mac Dies at Age 50

Is it a Garage or Garbage Sale?

I’ve never been too familiar with garage sales. Nor have they interested me. Not until one day when my co-worker walked in with a slightly used radio with a cassette deck, CD player and a mini TV to boot. And to top it all off the owner left a Luther Vandross CD in it. All of this for the bargain basement price of $10 dollars.

My co-worker continued to boast about all of the finds she’d made over the years. She felt she hit the mother load.

My mouth began to salivate with all the possibilities of treasures to be had. With much anticipation I tossed and turned in my bed all week, waiting for the golden garage day, Saturday morning.

With my cup of hot chocolate in hand I began to strategize. My strategy was to only hit garage sales in the best neighborhoods in Charlotte. I scoured neighborhoods such as Ballantyne, South Park, Piper Glen and the prime parts of Providence Road.

But to my dismay I found out the hard way that all that glitters ain’t gold. I was horrified at what some of these garage sellers were selling. There were broken lamps, scuffed up shoes, torn clothing, one legged dolls, one eyed stuffed animals and the list goes on.

The best find I ever came across at a garage sale was a love seat and chair in excellent condition. It was a beautiful color and had plump sturdy pillow cushions. I bought if for my sunroom.

On one occasion I went to a garage sale of a Charlotte Bobcat player. I purchased a vacuum cleaner for $10 dollars for my cleaning business. When I returned home and tried it out it emitted an order similar to the smell of feet that we couldn’t get rid of.

Another garage sale I attended the family invited us into their home to take a look around. As soon as we entered the stench slapped us in the face turning us all the way around. There were clothes everywhere, boxes of things that I didn’t care to look into. And cats on top of everything, need I say more?

As we continued to explore additional garage sales we started a system. We would drive by the garage sale as slowly as we could. If we couldn’t see anything from the street then one of us had to get out of the car and quickly assess the situation.

That’s when we came up with the phrase “garbage sale.” You would cough and quickly mutter under your breath “garbage sale.” Once you heard the phrase “garbage sale,” you turned around, got back in the car and we sped off.

In my quest, I learned that one mans’ garbage is another man’s treasure. And some men’s garbage just needs to be thrown away.

King of Comedy Bernie Mac Dies at Age 50

One of our beloved comedians Bernie Mac born Bernard Jeffrey McCullogh died Saturday, August 9, 2008 in a Chicago area hospital.

Mac suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body's organs, but had said the condition went into remission in 2005. According to Bernie Mac’s publicists he died from complications due to pneumonia.

Bernie Mac was one of the Original Kings of Comedy. His fellow Kings were Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, and D.L. Hughley. He toured the country in this blockbuster hit show selling out concerts everywhere. The film was directed by filmmaker Spike Lee and filmed in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Even though Bernie Mac had been working in comedy for several years, it was his exposure on Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam that opened a variety of doors.

Bernie Mac appeared on television sitcoms such as Moesha before landing his very own show. The Bernie Mac show premiered in 2001 on the Fox television network. It’s series ending in 2006.

He starred in films such as The Players Club, Mr. 3000, and Guess Who with Ashton Kutcher. Bernie Mac is probably better known for his role in Oceans’ 11, 12 and 13.

One of my favorite roles he’s ever played; was the role of the janitor in the movie Pride alongside terrific actor Terrence Howard.

I had the pleasure of reading Bernie Mac’s autobiography titled, “Maybe You Never Cry Again.” It is one of the most inspirational books you’ll ever read.

It’s filled with struggle, determination, and triumph. It would probably shock most people at how long and hard Bernie Mac had to work to get to where he wanted to be.

The obstacles he had to overcome losing his mother at the early age of 16. Being knocked down and getting back up all the while remaining a loyal and devoted husband and father.

Some on of my favorite quotes by Bernie Mac were:

“Bust your head till the white meat show.”
“I ain’t scared of you mother@%!*s.”
“I swear for Lord.”

Bernie Mac will be deeply missed by the entertainment community as well as fans alike. But no one will miss him more than his family whom he loved so much.

He is survived by his wife Rhonda McCullogh, daughter Je’Neice and granddaughter Jasmine.
Condolences nationwide go out to the Mac family. May he rest in peace.

John Edwards Comes Clean He Admits to Affair

Today Friday August 8, 2008 John Edwards came clean about his affair with Rielle Hunter a producer of one of his videos for his political campaign.

If Elizabeth Edwards has forgiven him and moved on then what business is it of ours?

It’s always going to be the business of the republicans because any ammunition they can get against the opposing candidates is always useful.

But what about the democrats the ones that believed in him and supported him? The ones who watched as he publicly denied the affair and pretended such a thought was preposterous.

The fact that John Edwards initially denied having an affair Ms. Rielle Hunter is what makes it look so terrible Now he just comes across as dishonest, but also human. But how many people would publicly admit to having an affair when asked unsuspectingly when they are not prepared to talk about the subject?

Knowing how the media can be of course they wouldn’t want to go through this publicly. The stories have already gotten out to hand. Infidelity is a private matter it’s not something that needs to be weighed in on by the world.

John Edwards cheated on Elizabeth Edwards; not the American people. They have made a choice to fight for their marriage and that must be respected. Forgiveness would have to come from Elizabeth Edwards and apparently it has.

Bar – B- Q King as featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives

Bar-B-Q King was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives one of my favorite shows on the food network. It’s hosted by Guy Fieri.

Bar-B-Q King is located right here in the Queen City Charlotte, North Carolina.

I’ve drove by The Bar-B-Q king several times while driving around the city of Charlotte. At times I wondered if it was still a working establishment. Being a big city girl I wasn’t too familiar with the drive in concept. I was curious as to how they worked but was too scared to ever try one.

While watching Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives I see Guy Fieri on my television screen raving about this Drive-In located right in here in Charlotte, North Carolina.

If you’ve had the pleasure of watching Guy’s show I know there are a multitude of places that he has visited that you just want to try for yourself.

Unfortunately, not all of them are located right in your own backyard. So when Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives featured the Bar-B-Q King I knew it was a place that I had to try out for myself.

I’ve never seen a food establishment that Guy didn’t like. Definitely wanting to see what the hype was all about I ventured out on my own.

So Guy Fieri put your money where your mouth is.

The first thing I wanted to do was try what they are famous for and that’s the Bar-B-Q. So I ordered a Bar-B-Q plate and a quarter Bar-B-Q chicken dinner. And yes I did have family members there to help me out.

I have to admit the Bar-B-Q chicken was different from any version of Bar-B-Q chicken that I have ever tasted. This particular Bar-B-Q chicken is deep fried first then dipped in their secret Bar-B-Q sauce that the owners use for their Bar-B-Q. It might sound strange but it works.

I do need to let you know that I am a huge fan of Bar-B-Q. And I have tasted some of the best Bar-B-Q that is out there.

Now this Bar-B-Q isn’t the best out there but it’s definitely one of the better ones here in Charlotte, NC.

If you’re expecting five star services—get over yourself. You’re only expected to get your eat on and drive away.

I have three categories in which I put a dining experience in.

1. Recommended – Meaning I would eat there again and recommend it to others.
2. Toss up – Means you have to decide for yourself by visiting the establishment.
3. Drive By – Means keep on driving pass the restaurant.

So how do I rate Bar-B-Q King? I would have to say: Recommended.

Until next time Bon appétit!