Rise of the Planet of the Inconsiderate Movie-Goers

I haven't been to the movies in almost two years. Of course, I've seen many recent movies courtesy of Netflix, but since moving to Philly I haven't actually gone to the theater.

We went Friday to see Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Decent movie, but what was even more painfully entertaining is how I forgot partly why I hate going to the movies. People seem to lose all sorts of etiquette. Now, granted it could have been much worse but here are the lowlights of my movie-going experience.

1. My pet peeve is when there are a plethora of seats yet a group of people decide to make you get up to let them in so they can sit in the middle of your row. I always choose an end seat because I don't want to have to climb over people's laps if I need to leave the theater - some people don't seem to mind that. With dozens of rows left and empty, a couple (who were nice and courteous) proceeded to excuse themselves as they moved their way through to the middle of our row. I wasn't mad, just confused. I like my space, and don't understand why others want to be all next to a stranger.

2. Then fifteen minutes later a group of older women do the same thing only this lady has the nerve to not ask us or say "excuse me" like the couple but the lady stops near our row and says. "I guess we'll have to get in here", then says something else I can't recall of the same nature. Yes, I stalled on letting them in because COMMON courtesy is to say excuse not say some vague sentence in hopes I'll spring up to let you in. All four of y'all were old enough to have manners. Shame on you all.

*Also, I don't know if the lady next to the empty seat in between us was scared of us or what. Usually women leave their purse on the floor (or tucked between their feet, as I do), or casually put it in their lap. This woman was holding onto her purse for dear life. Poor woman, she could not have possibly enjoyed the movie if she felt the need to clutch her purse the whole time.

3. This older man was sitting in front of us the whole time. At one point before the movie began the previews were on so he goes up to a row of dudes that had seated in front of him and apparently tells the guy to put his phone away. When the man returns to his seat he's mumbling something, so I presume he thought the guy was trying to record/bootleg the movie. I don't know if the man worked for the theater or was just nosy. I hope he worked there because if not he really should have minded his business. The guy had a cell phone not a camera, I doubt he was going to capture a master bootleg. Oh, and the other guy told him to mind his (won't right the word on my blog) business. I wasn't hoping it wouldn't spill into drama, it didn't.

4. Sorry, but every time I see a large group of inner-city youth I think flashmob. I live in Philly so I preserve the right to have that thought. Of course the large group of teens enter the theater, loudly so that everyone knows they've stepped in the building. Luckily, they sat nowhere near us. Hey, they're entitled to go to a movie and have fun, but in recently events in this area you do have to be somewhat wary of a large group of teens swarming around.

5. I hate when people clap during the movie at a pivotal moment, or when it's over. I'm not saying people can't show their reaction but I find it kind of cheesy.

All in all, not a bad movie, not a completely bad experience.

It's Bigger than the 27 Club

When reports surfaced that British singer Amy Winehouse had died, it didn't take long before stories circulated comparing her death at 27 to iconic musicians who also died at the same age such as, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Kurt Cobain.

Titles like, "Amy Joins the 27 Club: Who Are the Other Members", "Winehouse just latest to musician to die at 27" which permeate the web seem to trivialize the overall seriousness of the situation and fail at the opportunity to go deeper into who the artist was besides the drug-induced antics and rumors that circulated her, in her last years.

We're all just ordinary people

When an artist has talent it becomes hard for some of us to understand why they choose the path of drugs. When an artist has millions, it becomes hard for us on the outside to really understand why they would choose to water down their reputation with pills, crack, or alcohol. The reality may be a tough pill for some to swallow, so here goes: they're humans, they just have a talent they have been able to make money off of. Yes, some artists are extraordinary and unbelievably talented, but nearly everyone has met someone who is extraordinary in their lives, they just may not be famous.

We shouldn't be surprised when celebrities have "normal people problems", and addictions. We wouldn't make fun of the drug addict down the street who struggles with an addition, or an alcoholic in our family, yet when it comes to celebrities it's open season.

Why do some artists not get the chance to truly prove their artistry?

Amy Winehouse was a talented vocalist, bellowing out soulful tunes who quickly moved on the industry radar after her 2003. Her addiction quickly overshadowed her talent and started to sabotage attempts for her to revive her career.

It's easy to celebrate someone more after death than we did while they were alive. There's a reason why today Winehouse's Back to Black moved to the number one spot on iTunes. Some may have been dear fans, while others may want to celebrate the music of a woman whose troubles prevented her from being the star she could have been, and others who never listened to her music may want to experience the music that garnered her so many fans.

Unfortunately, like many artists before her, we tend to nurture their legacy after they're gone and ridicule them while they're alive if they stray from perfection. Now, we'll retire the unflattering, embarrassing photos snapped of Winehouse to be placed on the biggest gossip sites, and replace them with the classier photos of her better days. That's the way the story goes.

As of yet, the cause of death has not been released as a post-mortem examination will be performed today.

Mary J. Blige Just Fine

We all know the story about Mary J. Blige’s harsh beginnings, difficult childhood, and drug abuse that chronicled her personal life in the 90s. While we respect the struggle, we also have grown to love and appreciate the new and refreshed Mary who has traded “I’m going down/ ‘cuz you ain’t around”, and pleading to a man “I can love you better than she can”, for a woman belting out tunes like “no more drama” and “just fine”.

One aspect of Mary that stays true is her genuineness and ability to not get caught in the crazy music industry hype - something most artists are unable to escape. Mary does not sweat the small stuff. Mary is not a R&B songstress who discredits new and talented songstresses, unlike some singers we need not mention, Mary does not feel the need to mimic the younger singers, unlike some singers we need not mention, and most of all, she understands her legend and the power behind it. She doesn’t dilute the formula that made her popular in the first place by trading her image for a new one with each album. If Mary changes, it’s because she actually goes through a transformation, not because someone is behind her pulling the strings. Of course, she has sought out new sounds and tested her abilities to create new music, but all in all, she reigns true to herself.
Mary J. Blige’s new endeavor, a second perfume fragrance following her debut perfume My Life from last year proves she is further branding herself. Unlike some veteran R&B singers, Mary is not focusing on recreating her image with each album, or sounding like a knock off of another singer in the music industry. Perhaps, because she knows that those formulas rarely work. Instead, her formula is expanding her name and focus on other projects where she knows she can excel. She’s using her fame to inspire others to buy her product, and from what it seems, it’s a pretty damn good product. So all other veteran R&B singers, get a pad and take some notes.

Photo via HSN.com

How I Made a Karma Book

I don't throw out greeting cards. Now, that's not to say I know where every card I've ever received is - I don't. When I get new cards I display them; these cards I used are from a few years ago or so. I've wanted to do something creative with the dozens of greeting cards I've received over the years for awhile. Yesterday, I took an empty scrapbook, some edge scissors and cut out inspirational or positive messages people have written me in cards and make some "karma pages".

I didn't cut up ALL my greeting cards as some had very long messages, or had beautiful covers so I creatively incorporated those without cutting anything. I highly reccomend this for anyone who has a bunch of greeting cards and has no idea what to do with them. This took me like about 45 minutes.

My reason for making this is to collect positive words of encouragement and good wishes I've received along with some images for an artistic effect. I call it a Karma Book because it is filled with memories, words of encouragement and messages from some of the closest people to me (and some I was close to at one point in time), and somehow I've connected that with the idea of attracting positivity. You also can use any images or inspirational quotes you live by to fill the pages, I just started with what I already had.

Note: This is super easy. I am by no means a scrapbooker, or expert with arts and crafts, but was able to make it look pretty decent.

Materials: scrapbook 12''12, textured cardstock 12''12, decorative edge scissors, glue stick, and bond glue, greeting cards, old concert stubs, card cover images, etc.

Spicing Up your H2O

I love drinking water. I know some people find it bland or boring but I've never had that problem really though sometimes I do need a little flavor. Unfortunately, a lot of those "flavored" waters like Vitamin Water, (couldn't get enough of these in college!), have more sugar than they should and aren't really stocked with nutrients and vitamins like they claim. Now, I'm not even gonna lie, I occasionally drink Vitamin Water every once in awhile. I also like Arizona Tea Water that claims to be 100% organic tea, but I have always hated those fake tasting flavored waters that taste like water with just some sugar dumped in.

In college, I also got hip to spicing up my water in a natural and healthier way. I'd use a concoction of limes and cucumbers and put them in a pitcher of water (something I once read in an article that Beyonce did). It adds flavor but it also doesn't give that weird aftertaste that some flavored waters give. Sometimes I'd add a slice of lemon instead. It actually reminded me of these really good flavored waters Aldi's used to carry in orange, lemon, and lime that had the perfect balance of water and a hint of flavor.

Anyways, sometimes I really don't feel like chopping up lime and lemon or cucumbers, and unfortunately, sometimes if you leave them in the water for too long it becomes too acidic and not worth drinking anymore. So, as the picture indicates my new best friends for my water are just sprinkling some drops of lemon or lime juice in my water. It's less messy than slicing the limes or lemon and they are very low in calorie; the lime juice has just 1.25 calories per serving.

Cooking Chronicles: Quiche part 2

So, the first time I made a quiche in December it didn't go that smoothly. I think the culprit was that I didn't use real eggs and used egg substitutes (was lazy and didn't feel like getting a regular carton). So once I sliced, diced and threw everything together it took forever for everything to cook and for awhile it was really runny and I had to throw it in the oven to cook more. Despite falling apart a bit when cutting slices, it still came out really good.

Fast forward to June - my last quiche came out perfect. I used 6 real eggs, shredded cheddar cheese, turkey bacon (cooked beforehand), raw mushrooms, and spinach from a can and buttered the pan with a butter substitute and not an oil. It was the perfect texture and consistency, and I was pleasantly surprised after last time's fail. I cooked it for about 35 minutes.

My two cents on making a quiche: don't use fake eggs (unless you have to because you don't eat real eggs) ! Also, using butter to grease the pan makes the crust hold everything together more.

Kids will be kids?

Recently many of teens and younger children have graced headlines for unruly, disruptive and violent acts. One of the more publicized events was last year in the Philadelphia when Flash large groups of teens (Flash Mobs) gathered around some of the more popular businesses and restaurants of Philadelphia to cause ruckus, beat innocent people all in the name of "fun".

Legions of people have blamed the parents. Many have cited the absence of acceptable role models/fathers in the child's life as a reason for the poor behavior. I agree for the most part, however, I think the most blame lies in the fact that these kids have poor self-concept. You have to have a poor concept of self to want to wreck havoc on others. Something is not fulfilled or missing from you inside to make you make better decisions.

A group of 9-12 year olds from Southwest Philadelphia beat a 41-year-old woman in a horrific game of "catchin wreck" several months back. They even taunted the woman when she begged for mercy because she lost her son and can't take anymore pain. These were the same group of kids who also almost killed a 73-year old man previously when the assaulted him and stole his money, causing him to have a heart attack. Oh, and one of the 12-year-olds was pregnant. So what type of child do you think she will raise? Unfortunately, in that case I doubt you could even rely on the child's mother as clearly something was allowed to go on that resulted in this child's pregnancy. And if you know your child is pregnant at that age, why continue to let her go out and get into more trouble?

(Disclaimer: when I say "they" or "kids today", I don't mean ALL kids, but many. I know there are good kids out there) There is a generation gap; the new kids have a lot more anger in them than ever before. They're mean, they're ultimate bullies and clearly have no concept of right and wrong. All kids make mistakes. When I was a kid in the 90s', a mistake was cheating on a test, hitting your sibling too hard, breaking your mom's vase, sneaking out the house to go play, drinking underage. It wasn't beating people to death, robbing, raping, assaulting, etc. The phrase kids make mistakes goes out the window with this.

They know what they are doing. The argument may be that their brains have not fully developed yet and they do not have the best judgement. I am much wiser now than at 15, and probably will be wiser (hopefully, lol) at 32 than now. BUT I knew what not to do at 14. I knew that causing harm to someone could get you put in jail, that my mom would be mad at me and I'd be embarrassed.

Many kids though, don't care. They have no concept of "what happens after I do this?" and it's scary. I could cite all the disturbing incidents of teen violence, even stats from the suburbs as well, but I'd be here all day.

What I will say is that we've lost our way. Especially with some inner-city youth. Many rely on ugly stereotypes about people of color to guide the way they act almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy. You live in Philadelphia and you have nothing better to do than cause problems? I lived in a small town where many things closed after awhile except for the local WaWa and the diners. We would drive around just talking, sit at the river or chill somewhere, so I don't want to hear the excuse they're bored. Yes, there probably aren't enough activities geared towards keeping teens busy, building leadership, etc., but what they are doing is ridiculous, causing people fear and is just downright embarrassing.

Sure, some parents probably had no idea where there kid was, they may have lied about where they were going, as many of us probably did as kids when we didn't want an argument. However, some of these parents are just as belligerent as their kids. Some of these parents are ready to fight or cuss someone out for what they deem as disrespect in a second, so what can we expect? Some of these parents encourage their children to fight someone who disrespected them. I wish I didn't have to say that, but there is an influx of parents who really don't "parent". I won't pretend I know what it's like to have kids because I do not have any yet, but if you can't properly teach your child to be a contributing member of society, don't have any. There's enough problems with children running around thinking they are invincible because no one checks their behavior at home.