Latrelle...When You Coming Back?!!!

I miss this girl...Latrelle is one of the lost ones. If ya'll remember House party, check out the video at the bottom of the screen. She also had songs like "My Life", "Infatuated" and "Deal With The Pain". She recorded the album in 2002; however the deal fell through and no album was released. All we have are unreleased tracks that are floating through the internet. I went to Latrelle's (aka Munchie) myspace and she is apparently working on new material. I really hope that you shine. You definitely make music that adds to the soundtrack of my life.

Every so often, I'll take a look at people that deserve some shine.

Coat-tails Is What You Ridin'?!!!

Ok...Will this girl ever give it up. Face it Latoya, the stardom thing just ain't working for you. You have been ridin the coat-tails of the Jackson name for way too long. Janet Jackson (minus JD) is the only one who is still "Made" in my books (can I get an amen?). It's really sad when I see her trying so hard. It's kinda depressing. Her new show " Armed and Famous"...Ummm I get the armed part. Girl, can we talk for a minute?...You ain't good.

I think that we will have people riding coat-tails for a very long time. Solange to Beyonce, Ashley Simpson to Jessica Simpson ... there will be that sibling that can not be sitting aside, while there's fame to be had. Hey... I'm sure I'd be the same way! One case that doesn't seem to play out the same way is Omarion and Marques Houston.

Omarion is not the greatest singer; however he can still score a hit. Marques Houston leaves me confused. Has he even had a number one hit? Even in his immature days, I'd be surprised if he was even in the top 10 for billboard! I think Marques could take a lesson from his bro, who came out way later and has a brighter star.

Let me know if you disagree... but you better back it up!

You Know I'm No Good...

Happy Monday! Haha...I know someone wants to come hit me for saying that! Hey...at least the day is pretty much over, right? Today, also happens to be my brother's b-day...Happy Birthday. I think in the coming weeks I'm going to try a hand at doing music reviews. I don't think I'll be posting the tracks, unless I can get it into a music player on my blog. I'm not trying to have case of Beauty. That girl has had her hands full with people claiming they want to sue her for posting MP3s. The funny thing about it is that she gives free promotion to people. If I like someone I will go out and buy their album. Enough.

I also had the privilege of listening to a girl named Amy Winehouse. If you haven't heard of her please pay a visit to YouTube. She had a few tracks that I like:

"Take the box", "Rehab", "You know I'm no good", to name a few.

Her voice reminds me of Lauryn Hill meets Anastasia, meets Amy Winehouse.

...Today has been a pretty quiet day so i'll leave you on that note. Until tomorrow;)

Denial Can be a Disease..."Know your Truth"

Hey everyone, I know that I missed you yesterday. I was having some problems with ISP, so I had to push my post until today. The week has been a long one and it being Sunday today, it's like "Here we go again". A beautiful singer by the name of Laurena once sang, "Over and Over...don't let life just pass you by". That's kinda what it's been feeling like for the last little while. A bit stagnate and demotivationg. I guess everyone goes through it. When your in it, it feels like it's never going to end.

I had the privilege of seeing a post on YouTube by a dude named "Amourpropre" (def'n: Self-love;Self-esteem) titled "Know your Truth". I don't want to spoil it for those of you that want to hear his testimony, but I will say that this: it was sincere and true. He was addressing love in relationships and knowing when love is right - Not being complacent.

I've had many friends be in relationships that were (for better lack of a word) just in the relationship for the "mean-while". You know, until something better comes along; the fear of being alone. The fear that even though you are not feeling this person 100%, this may be the best you'll ever have. In some cases it may be the best you'll ever have and for whatever reason you fail to recognize what is important. On the other hand, there are other cases in which you need to make choices. You may need to seek couple counselling or start anew and invest in you.

The whole concept of starting "anew" scares the hell out of some people. I have to say that everytime a relationship ended with me, I felt like I was being shipped back into the playground. Searching again for that person who was going to be true to me. Sifting through all the backstabber and deceiving individuals to find that best-friend...that lover. I know alot of people would say I'd rather stay in "this" then go over there. Say things such as:

"I don't want to date any more", "I'm getting older", "I hate rejection" and "I've paid my dues to the dating gods".

It's hard, I know... trust me. I think starting over in some cases is the best thing you could do to demonsstrate self-love. I would say that a 6 month hiatus is usually a good amount of time after a LTR, to regain my own schedule and get back into a grove that is of me. If I tried any earlier than that, it would be disasterous! It would be a case of Janet's "Thinking bout my ex..."

I think for me one of the greatest realizations was the fact that nothing is guaranteed to last. As much as my parents would fight and argue, it never occured to me that they would split up. After basically 30 years of marriage they decided to call it quits. As hard as that was to accept, I think I knew all along that it was the right thing for them and us. I think all too often people get married thinking that the construct itself will smooth over any imperfection the person may have. It never works out that way and people make choices that seem easy at the time, like simply staying in an unhealthy situation. Before you even know, children are in the picture and families have been enmeshed. This makes it even harder to break away.

It's not just married people. long-term relationship are very much the same. You don't want to lose friends you've made or have to do some explaining when things don't work out. Some of us can't help but feel guilty. Blaming ourselves for not being able to keep it together. As painful as it may be, life is about learning.

In one segment of the recording (between 5:59 mins. and 6:15 mins.) he talks about having someone who is encouraging, supportive and attentive. He then goes on to ask, "Is this too much to ask?, in which he answers, "Only for the wrong one". I couldn't say that any more brilliant then just that. I could call-out some people that are going through this right now, saying stuff like:

"I wish s/he would support me, with my dreams"
"I wish s/he would comfort me"
"I wish, s/he would just..."

all ending with, "but s/he doesn't".

Sometimes you just have to sit with yourself and say, "Is this relationship right for me (period)", not, "Is this relationship right for me (right now)".

Seasons change, people change -- it's a part of life. The most important thing is being truthful with yourself when these changes occur and not playing them off. Denial can be a disease...Know your truth...

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=amourpropre

Style Your Health.

So you your hanging in NYC and you want to hit it with a hot looking dude or gal you just met. You put your hand in your pocket only to find out that the condom you thought you had was lost while switching pants - from the ones you thought you were wearing, to the ones you ended up wearing!

You enter a subway station and behold right in front of you is a booth that you can get free condoms. Not just free condoms, but condoms that are branded. That may be the future for New Yorkers. Michael Bloomberg plans to combat the rapid rate in which people are contracting HIV. He would like to bring the "coolness" back into wearing condoms. According to Thomas Frieden, health commissioner:

"Brands work and people use branded items more than they use nonbranded items, whether it's cola or a medicine even,"

To me NYC seems like that party city that you would just get buck wild in. HIV is a high price to pay for getting buckwild for a hot moment - at least for me. I think I'll pass. It's like that TwinRIX commercial where the drink looks so good, but will give you Hepatitis. People can look so good and carry unpleasant viruses and diseases. you have to live a more paranoid life than in the past.

I'm glad that NYC is taking a stance against the spread of STDs. Just make sure you do your part to keep the fun and games fun.

Fact: NYC hands out 1.5 million free condoms a month and approximately 18 million a year. (AP)

Zara is set to get bigger!

Zara is set to promote more healthier sizing for women in their upcoming lines. According the article [by AP associates], the government, more notably the health ministry, is responsible for the change. There was an apparent surge of anorexic women, as a result of fashion shows and displays that depict women who are too thin. The agreement is set to encourage the use of European size 38 for clothing shown in windows and put a stop to calling size 46 large. In the U.S. and Canada a European size 38 would be a size 4 and a size 46 would convert to a size 12.

I really want to commend the Spainish health ministry for this initiative. I hope others are to follow. In essence, I believe it's cultural. One has to have a balance between having healthy inspiring images and the desired image the media within one's culture popularizes.

The ministry also plans to study 8,500 women in Spain between the ages of 12 to 70 to understand more about a Spanish women's body shape. They have even gone as far as not allow models who are too thin participate in the annual fashion show "Pasarela Cibeles".

I wonder if Tyra will be doing a special on this!

Is Eva Really "Cheery"?!!

Is Eva Pigford really gay? Well I am not sure but I got a chance to talk to her this past weekend while she was in Atlanta. She told me she was making a club appearance at a gay and lesbian party with the cast of "Noah's Arc." "I am going to have a good time and what does it matter people are people and I am not into labels," Eva said

-Courtesy of Blackvibes-

What I would like to know is....Who really cares??? I mean it's not like the guys who fantasize about her will have to stop! It may crush some dreams of someone asking her out on a date (if it were true).

She says she's not into "labels", so why does that make her gay?

There is a double standard that occurs if someone attends homosexual events. "Straight" is the default and all others are the deviant. How can one work in the fashion industry and not have an understanding or tolerance for differences? A model, fashion designer (or affiliate) represents diversity just by the nature of their work.

I wonder when being "gay/bi/tri/tran/etc" is not going to be such a shocker or taboo?

I guess, as long as there is the polarized thinking that men and women can not have overlap in their thinking, behavior and/or look similar this will continue. In any respect, when in Noah's Arc season 2 coming on DVD?

G-A-Pressler No More

Pressler Out at Gap Inc. LOS ANGELES (January 23, 2007) - After a rocky four and a half years at the helm, embattled Gap Inc., president and chief executive officer Paul Pressler has stepped down from those roles at the San Francisco-based retailer and resigned his seat on the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. A statement released by the company termed the departure a mutual agreement and said Robert J. Fisher, the company’s current non-executive chairman of the board and son of founders Donald and Dorothy Fisher, would serve as president and CEO on an interim basis, also effective immediately. -Adam Tschorn/DNR News-

I used to appreciate the fashion sense of the GAP Inc. lines; however in recent years my eagerness to merely visit their retail stores has been on the steady decline. They have definitely dropped-the-ball in recent years. I just hope that they can get it together.

What happened to being the leaders of the pack?

I used to think that they knew how to make shirts fit and how to innovate style. I am hoping that whoever takes over, knows that they need to bring the designs and marketing to a whole new level. After a while, they were putting ads out with stars just for the sake of it.

When are they going to put out a Banana Republic ad on tv?

Old navy used to also have good clothes that were reasonably priced. That was then, now they are just stepping in the place of Bi Way.

Make me want to "fall into the GAP" again...please.

5 Stars for Showing Me Things Could Be Much Worse Than They Are

Children of Men is a great movie. A thought provoking and captivating depiction of how the world would be if the world was sterile. I found myself lost in the details; wondering if I was going to get home safe! Blood on the camera was great! The cinematography was phenomenal and definitely worthy of mention. I really didn't think much going into the movie, but I can tell you that I am glad I did see it.

I don't want to give too much of the movie away and spoil it. I will say that the pandemonium that is shown, makes me think of the soldiers in Iraq and parts of the world that are in war. It really gives you perspective to truly appreciate what we have here.

One more thing...

The scene where the burning car comes down the hill...crazy! I couldn't even imagine that happening to me. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you have to go see it for yourself.

Out of This World

DOLCE GABBANA...is back and showing off their Fall/Winter 2007 line. They decided to go with a "Space Odyssey" feel:

"Sharp-lined suits echoed the space theme, also using metallic colours, while razor-thin ties in black, gold and gun metal over white shirts poked out under both the jumpsuits and the slicker suits. There was metallic knitwear -- in both chunky, country-style shapes and slim-fitting...He picked out bronze metallic suits and white leather lean tailored jackets over jeans as especially attractive to wear."

-Jo Winterbottom/Reuters-

I'm always impressed with their line and enjoy seeing what they have to offer. This line definitely beats out the Marni fashion trend [leggings] that I reported to you yesterday.

It's only a matter of time people, before the pages of Men's Vogue are glittered with my fashion looks and tips. A boy can dream, right?

Ankles..I Mean Long-Johns Are "In" on the Outside

According to Fashion Wired Daily, they have reported that leggings were "In" for men. The fashion show was held in Milan, demonstrating the Marni Men's Fall Fashion for 2007. The leggings are said to be worn outside the home and not just inside.

So basically, we should be wearing our long-johns! I mean isn't that the same. Oh I mean, wait a minute...these are designer, not Bargain Benny's two for a penny.

Do I really need to see people flashing their "package" around? No.

Is this a fashion trend that I'll adopt? No.

This is barely appropriate for women.

Warning:

If I catch anyone of you out there rocking this. I am apologizing now, as you will see me catch my stomach with a gut bursting laugh. Check out the shoes and the briefcase! Where are you going? *Laugh*

When You Live By The Horsetrack...You Have Good Days and Bad!

I just happened to be browsing around different blogs and came across this picture (courtesy of Queer Kid of Colour). It's a picture of Beyonce without her weave. The first thing I noticed is that her hair is too thin. I just hope that this is just a bad angle, painting a bad picture. My word! I'm not sure what was bleeped out but you still can get the picture, if you know what I mean. I think it's time Bee goes into Hiatus - Sort of like Missy. I think she is getting over-exposed and the fans are starting to turn haters. If your people are reading I hope this gets to you.

She's In It... To Win It...

Hillary Clinton has made necessary steps to place herself in the presidential run. If she were to win, she would be the first female president in the U.S.A. This would be a great accomplishment in of itself. She would also be the first woman to be a first lady who becomes the president. I do wish her well in her journey.

Like I had said before, it is highly likely that she will win more of the votes than Obama. I am not sure the U.S.A is ready for a female president let alone a man of colour. This will definitely be a great presidential race (pun intended!).

The World Is Sooo Cold...Why Did You Leave Me Standing There?

So who is seen getting denied access to the Golden Globes after-party? None other than Diddy himself.

Am I really surprised? No.

Will it be the last party he is denied? No.

What I find funny is that when he couldn't get in he said, "Do you know who I am?". They basically replied, "Yes and we don't care bitch!" - in "lay-men" terms of course. So what did Mr. Pitty (yes, I said P-I-T-T-Y) do? He went to the Prince after-party. I guess that was the invitation-less after-party everyone else went to. This is one of those times where I have to laugh. Not because I enjoy seeing him standing out in the cold, but because it brings it back to this whole A-list vs. D-list ranking! You could be rich and be a D-Lister if your not well liked by your peers.

I know that I write about the rich and famous, but that world of shallow importance and make-up for the purpose of hiding inner wounds makes me smile (then feel sad). Like I always say people, you may get caught up in something, but you are accountable (in most cases). You have to make wise choices (especially in the rich & famous lifestyle). I could just see RES, India Arie and me laughing about this stuff while eating popcorn.

"Access Denied" by Pitty.

Hey Pitty, how bout you add that to your Press-Play-Remix album. You could have Kelly Price sing the hook; of course to show the two of you have made up...or you could use Sherry Dennis. I mean, since it seems her album ain't coming out out anyway. Hmmm...that brings me to another point. Maybe you should think about investing in your artist more than those "parties". Total [Kima, Keisha and Pam] I miss you...come back. As for you Pitty, "do you know where your going to"...because it sure ain't the Golden Globes after-party.

Melyssa Ford Drives A Honda Accord...

When Melyssa Ford (Toronto-Native) was asked about what she had to say about being on the Game's "Wouldn't get far" song, she simply said... “Nobody understands why I am on this record,” ... “I am the blueprint for this industry because I have respect for myself.”

Hm mm...

Self Respect. Boy is she is really using that term loosely. Almost as loose as her waist!!! (Ooooooh). I just think that if she had so much self-respect, then I wouldn't be seeing her at 1:00am on BET selling her sex ads. I hope she ain't promoting herself as a role model to little girls. I mean, I really don't care what these "vixens" do for their hustle; as long as it doesn't involve stating that they represent the real woman in interviews.

Let's just take Super-Head for example. I could not stand her when she came out with her book. It was just a hot mess! She came out calling names on one hand then turns around and does a "woman of song" dance...hiding behind a thin vale of "I'm a deep woman hurt by bad bad men". Give me a break...you had choices to make and you blew them. Rise up! Superhead, we know that you would not have been doing this book, unless you could name and slander all the men that hit it and fled. It was also a look at me book to say, "look at who I've been with"

I once saw her on Suze Orman once and it was once again a hot mess! She was talking about how she makes everyone that comes into her house give her son a dollar. She didn't think anything was wrong with that. She didn't realize how she was training her son to see the world in a twisted light. She was teaching her son that if somebody wants to come see you they have to pay. If they want any of your time they have to pay. I hope that she stopped that debilitating practice!

Hiphop is so behind. Video vixens are from the rock videos in the 80's. Can we get it together people and evolve?

Ahhh The Life of The Rich and Famous...

CAN THIS GIRL GET IT TOGETHER!!!! I can believe she has been brushing with the law again. Campbell was charged with second-degree assault in March for allegedly throwing a cellphone at her maid Ana Scolavino. Can I tell you that the cell phone was crystal Swarovski?!!!She has no concept of what she has going for her. It irks me to hear this kind of ignorant behaviour. Now this ain't her first time! In July of 2006, she was arrested in London after causing a disturbance outside of the home of her ex, multi-millionaire Dubai playboy Badr Jafar. Three employees have also claimed she attacked them physically. She needs to get it together.



She sort of reminds me of when Foxy got charged for assaulting someone over the price of a manicure. Foxy come on. You know if I were famous that I would not be going down for stuff like that! It better be some high fashion-bougi fight...ha ha.



Both ladies missed their court dates and were shown as raging bulls! Both we're also told to seek anger management. Just feeding into that stereotype of black women being irrational crazy bitches!!! - Pardon my French. Unladylike.

OBAMA Mania!!!!

OBAMA Mania it seems! Do you believe the U.S. is ready to have a leader of colour? I'm not so sure. I always imagined a white female would come before a man of colour (Hillary where are you?!!!). Even if he were to get that far, he would have to forget about hanging at the mall with his wife...looking cute...haha. He would have to be highly protected like the pope (to put it lightly). I mean MLK day just passed didn't it. Uhh huhh.

And...

That's not the only thing. He would have a definite problem when it comes to winning the vote of the dirty south. I certainly wish him well in his journey.

Am I being too negative? I'd like to think I'm being more of a realist. Let me know your take....

Golden Globe Winners!!!

YAYYYYY!!!

All I have to say is that I was totally routing for this girl [Jennifer Hudson]. Who would have thought that this girl would have lost out on American Idol only to win a Golden Globe? ....hmmm... Crazy! This is one of those stories that you can appreciate. I think she will definitely continue to shine. There are not many times that we can mention the underdog winning. You go!

Now B... I don't feel for you...I'll leave it at that. ** Happy thoughts...Happy thoughts ** J/k

Happy MLK Day!

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Luckily, I work for an American company that allows me to have the day off. If you want to know what I did to celebrate, you don't have to guess--I'll tell you. I cleaned my pad and did 5 loads of laundry. Boy am I tired! I would imagine that for some in America, the death of MLK is just extra day to do some housework.

What does one do to celebrate the past successes of MLK? I mean, other than taking a moment to remember, there really are no events held in his honor or specials on tv for this day. If there are, please excuse my ignorance or place blame with the marketing department!

Let's think about history for a second and think about how far we've come....hmm. Now, if you're anything like me, you're probably running for a blanket to cover your eyes in shame. Well ok, maybe not so dramatic! I personally can't help feel a little shame with how little we have come from 1968. When I look at afro-centric music, media and popular values, there are many short comings.

Chicken Noodle Soup...that's all I have to say...hahah. I mean come on people. I know that we can come up with better music than this. Where are our innovators? We have sampled/stolen so much. It's really getting out of control. It's definitely time for a revolutionary to come and change the face of R'n'b and Hiphop. Believe me. When (and if) this happens, the person/s will not state they are there to change the game (which is how some arrogantly make their stance). They will just do it.

And....

When will Hiphop learn that you can not make a thug album...blow up...Only to talk about how hard the streets are on your 3rd album... 50...stop it!!!

Last but not least...

The "bonus track" (as I like to call it) has to stop. The "Bonus Track" is the song that an artist will put to make themselves appear more socially conscience to their fans (circa Nas' "I Know I Can" or Luda's "Runaway Love"). I mean Luda, we know that the girl in runaway love turns out to be the same girl in your "Different Area Codes" video. Can i get an A---?

Speaking of videos....BET. How could you let so many of us down? I could go on for hours...but that would just give me carpel tunnel! All I beg of BET is to offer more diverse shows/videos/movies that paint a less stereotypic view of the black race. How many times can I watch Belly (though i love me some Tboz)?

Everyone jumps on Oprah for her decision to not have certain hiphop artists on her program; however you might hate me when I say this...but I agree with her! Listen...I would not have people on my show who support the N-word so liberally and with 'misogonistic' lyrics. For those of you that state that it is a term of endearment...let me educate you (if I may):

• You can never appropriate a word that is rooted in slander/prejudice and hate. So you can't take Queer, Nigger, Wop, Kike, Bitch and make it mean what you want. The true meaning and history still pervades.
• Read above (again)

I think it's unfortunate that Black America popular values surround the now. The fast money, the cars and girls dressed scandly clad. It's even more unfortunate that many in Canada idolize this. When is financial planning going to be popular? or investing? I'd love to hear a rhyme about that...haha.

Between Now and When We Meet Again...Peace

His Sstory - The Beginning

Welcome to His Sstory!!! A place where the minds explore beyond what we know and what we are told to know. Thank you for taking the time to be a part of an experience that has been long over due. You will not regret it.

My first name is His... last name Sstory. I was born in Toronto, Canada and raised in the surburban streets of Mississauga (West of Toronto). My parents are both West African and I am the second youngest of 5 children. Even as the fourth child born out of five, I mildly suffer from the "Middle-child" complex; however I'll save that story for another time! My passion has and is with music, dance and fashion. Thats just a little bit about me. Through time I hope to share more with you.

I must say that, I feel so privileged to be living in a time where computers have brought the world much closer. It wasn't too long ago when we were writing letters to one another. In terms of getting a message out to the masses, I don't have to shout to be heard. I can speak from my little corner and be heard.

Stay a while...It's time to refresh - thoughts, beliefs, attitudes. Enjoy;)

- His Sstory -

Any suggestions or ways that you feel this site could be improved, let me know. I must learn and grow.