the girly network

RIP Ted Kennedy

"We know the future will outlast all of us, but I believe that all of us will live on in the future we make."

                                                                                                                                -Ted Kennedy

Fashion Don'ts...

Ext. of Queens Criminal Court                                                        gr for the Girly Network 

I'm volunteering at the NYC Family Justice Center, Mayor Bloomberg's initiative to combat domestic violence. Essentially it's a one-stop shop for women who need services, from emergency shelter to legal advice...and everything else in between.

Anyway, I bring that up because their offices are adjacent to the criminal courthouse in Queens.  I walk over there often and one thing always baffles me.  You see a lot of black and brown young men (not surprising since they're the majority in prisons) going in front of the judge wearing do-rags, jeans down to their knees and hoodies. 

What's up with that?  Do these guys just not have any common sense? To the defense attorneys out there, do you ever tell your clients to wear something less stereotypical and more presentable?   I'm all for expressing yourself through fashion, but there's a time and a place for everything.  First impressions are important (whether we like it or not) and looking a mess just works against you.  I think the judge and jurors will assume certain things by one's apparel, whether you're innocent or guilty.  It may not be fair...but it's how it goes.

My Wedding Anniversary

"Will you marry me again", I ask Ruds all the time.  "No way, find another sucka", he responds with a smirk.

After 3 years of legally being his wife (and 10 years of being together), I can honestly say that I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.  Ruds is my confidant, best friend and partner in crime.  We have a strong friendship and have learned to laugh with AND at each other.  I'm a blessed girl!

Ruds, here's to another 50+ years together.  Lucky you...lol.

Dancing Reggae Queen

Where did this little girl get so much rhythm and soul?  She's so good!  I think if I tried any of these moves...I just may hurt myself. Enjoy!

What's Next for Paula Abdul and Idol?

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Plenty of other networks are showing Paula Abdul lots of love and rolling out the welcome mat for the former American Idol judge.  According to People, Dancing with the Stars would love to have her as a judge, dancer or participant.  (If I was Abdul, I would jump on that judging gig.)

It seems that everyone, but Fox, wants a piece of Paula.  I wonder why.  Is it really about the millions?  After all, she was such an important part of the show.  Erratic behavior and off-the-wall comments?  Yep, that's Paula...but that's not all.  She's was also momma bear, protecting her cubs from Simon Cowell.  She was nurturing and always managed to find encouraging words for the contestants.  The bottom line is that she was a nice balance to Simon's brutally honest feedback and people looked forward to hearing from her. 

Idol is taking a big risk.  I think they're under-estimating what the former pop star contributes to the show.  It will be difficult to replace Abdul because for 8 seasons, viewers have developed a relationship with this judge. 

In the meantime, there are a lot of names being tossed around as possible replacements.  In theory, I think Cyndi Lauper would be a good match for the show.  She's a seasoned talent, knows the music industry and has a bit of an edge.  What do you think?

"Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor..."

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I like the ring of that!  I just got to my computer and read the good news.  The Senate confirmed Sonia Sotomayor as the 111th Supreme Court Justice, the first Hispanic in U.S. history to hold that prestigious position.

It's a great day for Americans who believe in equality for all, but especially sweet for Latinos and women.  We finally have some representation in the Supreme Court...a highly qualified "wise" Latina.  Love it. 

Welcome Back Maxwell...

Speaking of hot men, after so many years, Maxwell is still at the top of my list. I've never met him in person, but I just may blush if I ever do.

I think he's more than sexy looks and a pretty voice. He has a tender way of touching you with his music. After listening to his latest album, BLACKsummers'night, I'm glad to see that he's back to his roots.

Welcome back Maxwell. Please don't have us waiting another 10 years for the next album.

Bradley Cooper, Dulce y Guapo

       

 Bradley Cooper charming the print press at a red carpet event                       gr for the Girly Network     

Is it me or is everyone still buzzing about Bradley Cooper?  The ladies are admiring...(ahem) his many talents and the guys have accepted him as one of the boys, thanks to his role in "The Hangover".  (If you've seen this movie, you'll know why after 9 weeks, "The Hangover" continues to be in the top 10 at the box office.  In a nutshell, It's silly humor that will have you cracking up, non-stop, for 2 hours.)

I met Cooper this past spring, before the Us Weeklys of the world cared about which hollywood estrella he was courting.  I was field producing a Tribeca Film Festival red carpet event and he was the last celebrity to arrive that night by himself (no entourage).  He was styling with a camouflage baseball cap, his signature scruffy look and to my pleasant surprise, an unassuming attitude. 

Yes, he had me at "hello"...lol.  The first thing I noticed when he spoke to me were his ojazos, although it wasn't his celestial eyes nor his bright smile that made him attractive in my book (although that helps).  It was his demeanor when the cameras stopped rolling that did it for me. 

My videographer and I were packing our stuff when I noticed that he was still answering questions for the print press (People and Life & Style, among others).  That's unusually nice considering a lot of celebs, while on the red carpet, tend to run away from them.  I don't know why that is...I'll have to ask a PR person about that one.  Is it that their old school tape recorders are not as glam as the HD video and digital cameras? 

Anyway, I thought Cooper's behavior was very sweet, especially because "no one" was watching.  Let's hope that this newly-found fame doesn't change the man.  I liked that humble Cooper I met on the red carpet.