Fighting Myself Fighting God

Take a look at the clip of this Kate Dillon interview and you will be impressed at her attitude and how she has dealt with her experiences of being an overweight child to being an anorexic supermodel and now a healthy happy plus size supermodel. I was moved at how she gave up modeling at the height of her career just so she could save her life. Unfortunately not many women are that strong in the industry, instead they choose fame and fortune over their own well being. Well is that kind of sacrifice worth it? If it brings you joy and internal fulfillment why not? But if it  forces you to accept harsh criticism about your weight and nearly puts you to death then I would assume that it's not that good for you. But when it comes to being noticed and accepted and adored many women will give their souls just for just a taste of adoration. Why? So they can feel good about themselves. So what do they do? They develop eating disorders, attitudes and thoughts of self hatred, lack of self acceptance and appreciation and they also put their bodies and health in danger. How do I know because that is my biggest battle right now and being a Christian you would think that I would have a better attitude towards myself and my health and not feel that I need validation from others. But as  I was listening to Kate Dillon she said something that made sense to me. At one point in her life she asked herself "Why am I fighting myself?" Never had a question made so much sense to me. So why am I fighting myself and stopping myself from living a healthy lifestyle and why am I fighting God? Why do I insist on doing things my way when my way brings nothing but chaos, guilt, decietfulness and shame.

If God sees me as a his Princess, why do I treat myself like garbage? I  have been wathcing a lot of plus size fashion shows and I have to say that those women are beautiful not just because of their looks, but because they are not ashamed of their bodies and they feel good about themselves not because somebody told them but because they feel it. They don't hurt themselves and they don't curse themselves they strut their stuff and they are proud. Lets face it we have turned beauty into a machine and have become robots commanded on how to feel about ourselves that we are nobody unless we walk the red carpets, what we should eat what we should wear and I tell you it's maddening. As women of every shape and size, we have to see ourselves as our creator sees us and appreciate what he has done. We need take care of it by feeding it properly moving it often and don't forget to accessorize. We are all beautiful and God does not make mistakes. Lets take back our individuality and start looking beyond ourselves and bit higher. Because we're worth it!!!!

My Favorite Dads

 As a TV watcher during my elementary and junior high school years I was enamored by TV father figures like Heathcliff Huxtable and Dan Connor. Watching them on TV often made me wish that I was a part of their families and I guess in some crazy way I was. So when I heard about  TV Guide's list of The 50 Greatest TV Dads I was excited to see Mr. Huxtable at number one and Dan Connor had made the list as well. However, as I continued to read on I was very disappointed at the fact that not only did they place Homer Simpson on the list but they left out James Evans Sr. the patriarch of the Evans family from hit show Good Times. How is it that a cartoon character who is so dumb that his 8 year old can outwit  him end up on the list of TVs greatest Dads and not James Evans Sr.? It could be that the character was killed off in season three not remaining throughout the continuity of the show. Or maybe because he was a tough disciplinarian who spanked his kids. Or may it's just that those at TV Guide who came up with this list have no clue (I'm thinking the latter.) 

Whatever the reason. I believe that James Evans deserves to be on the list right at the top with Heathchliff Huxtable, Ward Cleaver and Dan Connor. Why do you ask? Because in a society where black fathers get a bad rep for being deadbeats, the character of James Evans Sr. was a able to turn all that around. Though he was frustrated by ghetto life and his education was limited. James Evans kept his family together by not only taking honest underpaid jobs sometimes two or three at a time, but he was also involved in the lives of his children and wanted nothing but the best for them. Despite his temper, James adored his wife Florida. He was not perfect he had a temper and somteimes misunderstood his wife and kid, but that's what made him so appealing the character was fictional but not unrealistic.

James was as close to a real father as you could get and there were a lot young black children who could relate to having a father like James Evans and there were those who did not have their fathers in their life that wished they had a father like James. It's sad that this character did not make the list but it goes to show just how little the it was researched and taken seriously. Yes I know it's only  TV, but think about it, if Homer Simpson is considered one of TV's greatest dad how much do we really consider the importance of fatherhood in American society.


Recommended:
Good Times Seasons 1-3
Roseanne Seasons1-9

Reality Bites

I hate reality television maybe it's because I came from a generation that grew up on Schoolhouse Rock and repeats of Norman Lear sitcoms or maybe because reality television is limited when it comes to talent, vision and deserving talent. Am I bitter? Probably. But my bitterness is not without reason. As an aspiring writer I feel a bit intimidated by the lack creativity on television. As a woman I feel embarrassed at the behavior of forty year old women who act like loud mouthed children and treat their sexuality like a worn pair of sneakers. And with all of the hardworking actors and actresses who hope to land a great acting gig to pay the bills its a shame that well crafted talent is seemingly overthrown by non talented people who will sell their soul for a piece of celebrity. 


Now as angry as I come across and I am not, just disappointed. There are a couple of reality shows that are worth the time such as Ruby, Intervention and Top Chef and the list goes on. So I am not saying that they are all bad but there many that could use the axe.  We live in a state where the the Angela Chase's are replaced by the Snookie's and hair extensions, botox and shallow personalities are considered as female empowerment.  The phrase idiot box was never more prophetic. Yes since the television's creation we have always had an obsession but  television had it's moments. It challenged our prejudices, it allowed us to witness historical moments that changed our country and it introduced us to some of of the most creative minds and talents whether through comedy, news, drama, or sports. Television like rock and roll is near death with just a bit of life support to keep us in tune. 


Who knows maybe things will change, but with greed overpowering creativity maybe they won't, but then again that's why we have hope. In order for us to take back our choices for worthy programming we have to go back to research because it's out there we just have to keep watching or if that doesn't work turn off the TV pick up a pencil and write our own story.

The Eyes Have It: Jensen Ackles and Bradley Cooper.

This weekend I watched two films. One I liked a little and one I liked a lot. The first one was an indie flick that was originally released in 2007 and co-starred Jensen Ackles of "Supernatural" fame. The film was titled 10 Inch Hero and was based around five people who worked in a sandwich shop owned by a hippie like father figure. The story focused on Piper who moves to Santa Cruz, California in search of the daughter that she gave up when she was fifteen. The story line is interesting and the characters are likeable, but I have to say that it had its moments that I felt were a little schmaltzy. I won't spoil it for you but the end may leave you rolling your eyes. All the actors did a fine job, but I have to say that the standout  performance came from Jensen Ackles. Now I will admit that being a "Supernatural" fan was the main reason why I put it at the top of my Netflix Que list. However I must say not only as a fan but  a lover of great talent, I do believe that Jensen Ackles has the ability to pull off a film that has nothing to do with horror. He is handsome enough to draw numbers and talented enough to gain more film opportunities. I believe that he is capable of broader range if given the chance. Based on his work from Days of Our Lives to Supernatural it is clearly seen that Jensen has grown so much as an actor. I believe that he is the kind of performer that needs challenges and it is easy for him to get bored. With the cinema constantly grabbing "cute" actors from television shows it's a wonder why Jensen is not on line with Josh Duhamel or our next subject Bradley Cooper. I think he can do it, as long as Hollywood let's him.

The second film I saw  was Limitless with Bradley Cooper and I though I am a bit clueless about Bradley's career I have to say that he was awesome as the depressed frumpy writer turned super intelligent highly ambitious millionaire, thanks to a tiny little pill. The movie was number one at the box office grossing 19 million on opening weekend. I like Bradley Cooper. He seems to have this boyish quality about him that draws you in to his performance. His command of your attention is subtle and charming and he is far from boring.  Like Jensen Ackles his eyes speak a whole new language.Jensen and Bradley both have television backgrounds, and with the success of Limitless this weekend it's obvious that Bradley may have a stellar movie career ahead of him, as far as Jensen Ackles is concerned I believe he is on his way. I think they are both deserving of  chances to shine on the big screen and I can't wait to see what's in store.

Recommendations:
Supernatural Season1-5 on DVD  available now
Limitless Soundtrack