POEM: Thoughts

Thoughts

I have thoughts
so many
so hefty
so crazy
I write them
I live them
keeping them positive
is hard
but with God
I can survive
and push through walls
face the threats
and stand up tall


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Let's Stay Together: A Successful Season 1

Let's Stay Together, BET's new sitcom for 2011 brought viewers romance and comedy as the characters dealt with their various relationship issues.

Thirteen great episodes encompassed the first season of Let's Stay Together, BET's new sitcom launched in 2011. Let's Stay Together was created by Jacque Edmonds Cofer , who also executive produced the sitcom. Cofer has written for other shows like Martin, Living Single, Moesha and All About The Andersons. She shared that Let's Stay Together was conceptualized as "basically a romantic comedy".

Cast of Let's Stay Together

Cofer worked with a cast of young and upcoming actors including Nadine Ellis as "Stacy" and Bert Belasco as "Charles", Stacy's fiance. Joyful Drake plays "Tasha" and her husband is "Jamal" played by RonReaco Lee. Erica Hubbard carries the role of  Charles' happy sister "Kita". Other actors who appeared on the show include Jackee Harry from 227 and Sister, Sister who plays Charles' mom. Charles's dad is played by Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs. Ron Canada, who has appeared on Law & Order, Boston Legal and Murder One, acts as Stacy and Tasha's dad. Their mom is played by Daphne Reid Maxwell, who replaced Janet Hubert on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in the 1990s.

Other actors who appeared on Let's Stay Together include Kim Whitley from Living Single, Countess Vaughn from The Parkers as Kita's friend, Henry Simmons from Madea's Family Reunion (2006) as Stacy's patient's father and date and Eva Pickford from America's Next Top Mode as another of Kita's friends. Anna Maria Horsford from Amen played the wedding planner, Tichina Arnold from Everybody Hates Chris acted as the counselor and Thomas Mikal Ford from Martin as the pastor also made appearances on the show.

Season 1 of Let's Stay Together Overview

On Season 1, fans of the show were able to watch Charles and Stacy live together and then separate before getting back together. We saw Jamal and Tasha with the fiery romance of newlyweds with twin babies and financial shortcomings. Kita surprisingly was everybody's girl and she looked out for all the other characters.

• Charles and Stacy: Charles and Stacy seemed to be very romantic even though they did not always agree on every subject or issue that arose in the relationship. They broke up after Stacy struggled to settle on a wedding date, even after the help of the wedding planner that Charles hired. Charles continued to get frustrated as Stacy chose a fictitious date of June 31 for the wedding and he eventually moved out of Stacy's home. They dealt with the seperation in different ways but ended up clashing as they both unknowingly showed up at a dinner that Jamal and Tasha planned with dates. It was at that time, after tempers flared, that they finally chose a wedding date.
• Tasha and Jamal: These fun young newlywed parents seemed to always seek an opportunity to earn money. Tasha tried to create a baby skincare line, she wrote a children's book and she also tried to join an elitist women's group. Tasha stands as the bossy one in the relationship and who likes to be the center of attention. However Jamal stood up to her in relation to her wanting to dress his son as a girl for a photo shoot. He also actually cut up the cards in one episode even though Tasha jokingly asked her dad to hit him.
• Kita: Kita has lent a helping hand to every other character but has remained single during the first season. She babysat for Jamal and Tasha which caused some tension for the newlyweds since Kita's good rapport with the children and her command of housework seemed to outshine Tasha. Kita offered advice to all the characters at some point and she especially tried to encourage Charles to work hard not to lose Stacy. On one episode, Kita took a vow of silence and she showed the angst of not being able to share her ideas with the others during that time.

Let's Stay Together Season Finale

 The finale episode began with a rehearsal dinner on the day before the wedding. The parents were all there to celebrate what seemed to be an astronomical achievement for this couple. Stacy's mom, Juanita, claimed that she introduced Charles and Stacy and clips revealed the first interactions between the couple at Stacy's home. Viewers were also able to see when Charles proposed at Stacy's home with flowers and candles in the kitchen he built for her. He stooped on one bended knee and asked her to be in his wife and it was shared that he moved in one week later.

As the episode progressed, Charles did not seem to be ready for the wedding. He seemed to be having a lot of second thoughts and is shown trying to smoke a cigarette just before the ceremony. There is irony because Stacy was the one who seemed to be having second thoughts throughout the season but she appeared to be calm and ready. Although Charles was a bit shaky, he did make it to the altar. Stacy shared her thoughts at the beginning of the ceremony from 1 Corinthians and Charles sang "Never" by Jahiem.

As the ceremony progressed, Charles ran out because he forgot a letter in the car that would tell Stacy how much he loved her. The final scene of this episode reveals that he got stuck in an elevator that was not working and the wedding was postponed. In addition, an ex-boyfriend of Tasha's appeared at the wedding, apparently a former client of Charles, and she seemed to be uncomfortable with his presence, yet reminiscent of the past.

With all that has happened on Season 1 of Let's Stay Together, viewers are already anticipating another season. The burning queries asked are about the wedding ceremony, the strange appearance

of Tasha's ex and if Kita will ever find someone to love her.

Modest or Perfect: Are You Within Your Means

The perfect person does not exist. We have these crazy standards of beauty and excellence that only serve to drive people crazy. We have people who are digging themselves in debt for material things just to fit in and play a role or show an image.

I watch Suze Orman from time to time and I like her show. I think more people need to watch it and be realistic with themselves on their finances. Why are we buying expensive cell phones if we can't afford to buy lunch? Furthermore, shouldn't we walk with lunch so that we can splurge on something nice every month? Better yet, why can't we save that money.

When my car broke down, everyone had the most advice for me. Of course, I actually listened and then I sold the car. The repair would cost more than the deposit on a new car so I had to make a choice. I catch the bus now and I cut down on window-shopping and being up and down all over the place spending money. Most people frown on catching the bus but I no longer worry about brakes, tires, car insurance or the soaring gas prices. I learn to make do, tag along if necessary and plan my trips.

Plus I think I adjust to situations wells - in most cases. I am a complainer because I just can't take too much nonsense. However, when it comes to finances, I make do and make things happen to work in my favor. I don't beg, I don't steal and I try my best not to be a bother to the people around me.

I don't mix money with friends at all. I like to know that we can help each other and I am willing to help in any way I can. I have very good people around me and I am thankful to God for them. However, we all have that one or two around us who like to borrow money. Some borrow because they are in tight situations and there are others who live beyond their means and use someone else to catch up.

We all can be financially enabled but we have to make tough decisions. I shop at sales - from the grocery, clothing stores, yard sales, etc. I have to find ways to make ends meet. I walk with luch everyday and if I do need to buy food, I opt to have a slice of pizza or something under $5. I would have liked a parttime job but with my children I have to make time for them. So I prefer an online writing gig so that I can work from home.

If we want to have the awesome material things, we have to make serious decisions. Perfection can never be attained. Live comfortably while setting realistic savings goals and stay out of deep debt. A mortgage or a land loan is a much better investment than a $30K SUV. Getting a loan and using the money for saving while accelerating the loan payments are better than buying 3 tvs for one home.

Motto - live within your means.

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If I'm in the Right Mood, You Might Get the Busy Signal

From looking through my blog, you will notice that I am a big fan of music. Reggae is one of my favorite genres but I also enjoy R&B and Hip Hop. I pretty much prefer the old school R&B and Hip Hop to the sometimes tasteless and lyrically empty music that is heard on the airwaves today.

I don't mind the bubblegum music but I will not buy it because it's not lasting music. You forget them when the gum is chewed. Looking back, some people may have called Hip Hop a passing fad but it has lasted. Unfortunately, the artists are becoming more empty and materialistic so many of them are passing through as the hot topic today and forgotten tomorrow. Some very talented artists have resorted to showing skin or chat trash so that their music can be noticed. For some, like Common, they stick to their style of music but try to infuse new beats to that enhance the lyrical content and flow.

Reggae also has its passing fads because building star power in the Caribbean is one thing but making it in the US and UK is another level. I love Sean Paul's style although he is more on the dancehall tip. His voice is different but I realize he's not the best dancer. He made a successful crossover to the US and UK and continues to bring some great hits.

Reggae artists who have a lot to offer include Busy Signal, Queen Ifrica, Richie Spice, Jah Cure, Etana, Alaine and Tarrus Riley. Of course I must mention Pressure and Niyorah from the USVI, Romain Virgo, Lutah Fyah etc who I love as well. I can not say that these artists write their lyrics but if they do, kudos on great lyrical content.

Reggae is mellow yet racy and uplifting ...with a great beat. The lyrics have gone past uprising, mellow moods and fire burning. Reggae's content has touched every vice and every thing that is good. Pull some records from Marley, Tosh, Isaacs, Miller, Hill and so forth. Then pull some Tanya Stevens, Lady Saw, Movado etc and see that reggae and dancehall is the Caribbean voice even when there is a negative voice spoken.

So if I'm in the right mood, you might get Busy Signal's music when you visit me - physically or via internet.

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Crooked or Straight Describes "All a We"

Unscrupulous people are all around us. They may be in your family, in your church, on your job, in your bank and so on. There is always a crook or two around us. We shouldn't hate them because of their dirty ways or because they seem to always get ahead. We shouldn't envy them either.

I don't even bother to feel sorry for them because some of them are not worth it. In some cases after a run-in, I say THANKS! I've learned from them how not to be a crook or even a 'fake' Christian or fake friend putting on airs. I feel the worst about persons in the church who on one hand work to win souls and then backbite the same souls. I don't know if we should call that an oxymoron or just call them 'morons' for being so hypocritical. What are you telling the young christians?

We have our bad ways and some may have more than others. As humans, we all have some measure of greed or lust, we all lie and many of us steal time or supplies from our jobs. There is truth in that.

If you are a crooked person reading this, try to run straight for once. I am not sraight every day and I have some crooked ways like everybody else but I never try to be openly deceitful or try to be underhanded. Sometimes people's perceptions lead them to think that you are, but once you know that you did the right thing, tell them "fire for you" (V.I. Slang).

All we can do is try our best everyday to do the right thing and live right with our neighbors and friends.

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POEM: Arrest by Linette Rabsatt

Season 4 of The Game on BET Recap

We saw many dramatic moments on The Game during Season 4 on BET. Tasha, Jason, Kelly, Derwin, Malik and Melanie had us glued to the television screen.

Season 4 of The Game on BET brought viewers a lot of drama in 2011. BET brought back the show, which is the first time that a live sitcom that was cancelled was brought back to television with a new season. We saw the same characters from the original CW show with the addition of a few new faces - new characters who took the drama to another level.

Mrs. Melanie Barnett-Davis

 Season 4 shows Mr. and Mrs. Derwin Davis as a couple two years into marriage. The writers brought back "Janay" played by Gabrielle Dennis (the mother of Derwin Jr., also called DJ), for a little drama between her and "Melanie" (Tia Mowry-Hardict). One of Melanie's claims continued to be that Janay wanted what she and Derwin had - a great life. Melanie gave DJ a DNA test which gave a false result that Derwin was not his father. After the drama behind the DNA test, Melanie realized that unknown to her, Derwin was visiting Janay's home weekly to play with DJ. In Season 4, Melanie became the president of the Sunbeams, the wives and significant others of the San Diego Sabers football team.

She had a run-in with "Jazz", played by Lashontae Heckard, in relation to the right 'role models' since Jazz had slept with Jason, Derwin, Malik and other players before settling with Juvon, who is played by Bumper Robinson who we know from Amen and Family Matters. The last episodes of Season 4 showed Melanie and Derwin trying to get pregnant. Despite all her trying, Melanie was not successful. The final episode showed Melanie and Derwin visiting the doctor. When the doctor asked if Melanie had ever had an abortion, Derwin's demeanor changed. That episode ended with Derwin not asking whether Melanie had had an abortion, but asking if the baby would have been his.

Derwin Davis - The Star Receiver

In this season, "Derwin", who is  played by Pooch Hall, continued his 'church-boy' image while being a rising athlete who still showed genuine care for his family and friends in always wanting to be the problem solver. With Jason's retirement and Malik's misfortunes, Derwin literally became the strongest athlete on the team. However, with all his success, Melanie applied pressure to Derwin on several occasions. When she informed Derwin about the false result of the DNA test, she convinced him to confront Janay. She pressured him to have her parents visit although the previous seasons showed that her parents did not favor Derwin. After her parents gave Derwin high praise on the Season 4 visit, Melanie got jealous and displayed her typical 'drama queen' tirade.

Jason Pitts - Retired Player and Dad

"Jason", Coby Bell, was 'retired' by the Sabers and ended up working with basketball great Chris Webber on a show called "Benched". Jason had several fights with his ex-wife, Kelly and also their daughter, "Brittany 'Brit-Brat' Pitts" who on this season was played by Kathlynn Simone Smith. To save Brittany from a destructive lifestyle, after she posed lightly-clad on the internet and stole Tasha's weed for her friends, Jason quit "Benched" to look after her. On the finale episode, Jason met "Quan Kirkland", the Saber's new quarterback played by Charles Michael Davis. What caught Jason's attention was that Quan seemed to be dating "Camille", Stacy Dash, Jason's ex-girlfriend from the previous season.

Kelly Pitts - The Mom and Ex-Wife

 Brittany Daniels returned as "Kelly Pitts" but the character did not appear in all the episodes. Kelly was supposed to star in a reality show about football wives. She tried to interject the show at every moment by interrupting a Sunbeam meeting and ladies' night out with her camera crew. Jason repeatedly asked Kelly to quit her show but she finally listened when their daughter, Brittany, posted the unacceptable photographs on the internet. After Kelly tried to discipline Brittany and saw the daughter's reaction, she quit the reality show and told Jason that she needed some time to get herself together. Kelly did not appear in the final episodes of The Game in Season 4.

Tasha Mack - Struggling With Relationships

"Tasha", as usual, still had problems with men in Season 4. She had the young love interest 'Dante' played by Terrance J from BET's 106 & Park. Their relationship did not work out and then she moved into a whirlwind relationship with a supposedly dying man, "Bo," played by Mario Van Peebles, who ended up being a player in the end. Tasha's relationships with the other females, Kelly and Melanie, had ups and downs too. Tasha made up with Kelly during the season but by the finale episode, Derwin and Melanie fired Tasha as Derwin's manager.

Malik Wright - The Quarterback's Ups and Downs

"Malik,' Hosea Chanchez's role, had a captivatingly dramatic season. His assault of a police officer started a downward spiraling set of behavior. One of Malik's issues was that "TeeTee," still played by Barry Floyd, resigned as Malik's wingman and started a business selling fried chicken with TeeTee's new love interest. Malik eventually had relations with TeeTee's girl, which TeeTee eventually forgave Malik for. Malik, at the same time, was sleeping with his new team manager's wife. The manager is played by Michael Beach from the movie Soul Food and his wife, 'Parker" is played by Meagan Good.

With all the negativity Malik was reeking, he opted to go to rehab. At first rehab had no impact until Malik met "Jenna, played by Tia Sumpter, during the rehab stint. Malik pronounced his love for Jenna on The Monique Show by imitating the Tom Cruise's visit on The Oprah Show where he jumped on the couch. Unfortunately for Malik, Parker blackmailed him about their infidelities until he found the strength to tell her that she needed to fix her relationship with her husband. Parker did and admitted to the husband that she had an affair with Malik.

This was said in front of Jenna who cut off Malik. The affair with Parker also cost Malik his quarterback status on the team as the manager threatened to leave him on the bench to rot. Tasha took back Malik as a client and in the final episode, Jenna drove back to Malik's house in what seems to be an inebriated state. 

Season 4 was an enjoyable season. There are unanswered questions as to the status of all the relationships and only another season or few seasons can really give viewers any closure.