Challenges
I never run from difficult challenges, I accept and deal with them. I've found that if you run away, the challenges will pursue you unrelentingly. Sure, at times the challenges can be demoralizing, until you consider where you'll be when you get past them. I do my best to move forward in pursuit of the positive end result. This mindset enhances my ability to adapt to changing conditions and to prosper no matter what comes my way. A challenge is neutral. It doesn't care what it does to you. What really matters is what you do with the challenge.

Looks like Amazon.com is getting into the the luxury market. In additon to the $2 used paperback or a $14 CD, you can now also plunk down $950 for a women's handbag or nearly $20,000 for a men's gold wristwatch. Oh! how fabulous.

Two movies opening this weekend include All About the Benjamins and Time Machine. Reviews here

Bend but don't break
When I think about the bamboo tree's ability to bounce back or return to it's original position, the word resilience comes to mind. When used in reference to a person this word means the ability to readily recover from any negative situation that stretches the limits of a person's emotions.

I’ve been there, I have been at the breaking point, but thankfully, I have succeeded in overcoming and conquering the situation each and every time. Most times, it was simply a matter of staying focused on the positive end result that I was seeking. At other times, I had to remain strong while maintaining balance between affairs and emotions.

Life is a mixture of good times and bad times, happy moments and unhappy moments. If the going gets tough and you are at your breaking point, it's important to show resilience. Bend, but don't break!

Hey! it's that El Nino weather phenomenon... Again?

"The 'War on Terrorism' for Dummies"
"Don't know about you, but all this war and politics stuff can be mighty confusing. So I picked up a copy of "The 'War on Terrorism' for Dummies," a kind of primer on current events, and now feel much better educated. Here are some of their answers"

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Her foot in her mouth
Sheryl Crow, in a recent magazine interview, (USA Today Reports) complained about today's oversexed female pop stars:"Those poor girls. They're being marketed like porn stars …the images are pretty sleazy”.


Her point might have been valid until upon a closer look I realized that she was being interviewed by the soft-pornish Stuff Magazine which included her own soft-pornish pictorial . And, to make matters worse, take a look at the outfit she wore at the Grammy Awards

Is that Satan I hear laughing?
Several religious organizations are taking a big hit lately:
The Roman Catholic Church was embarrassed by a scandal involving pedophile priests and the alleged cover-up by a cardinal. Radical Muslims continue to display their intolerance of America and other faiths. And the Rev. Billy Graham was embarrassed by the release of a 30-year-old tape on which he was heard telling President Richard Nixon that Jews had a "stranglehold" on the American media, which needed to be broken because it was ruining the country. Makes me ponder the idea of "Power corrupts" even more.
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Lately, we're able to do most things on the internet .... now we can add one more to the list. Not happy with your marriage? No sweat, you can now get a Cyber Divorce

Have you ever wondered what Britney Spears might be doing 30 years from now? well, this short movie clip Britney 2032 gives a glimpse. Oh! the cameo appearance by Justin Timberlake of NSYNC is hilarious.

India.Arie

Her music is deep and introspective. India Arie conveys themes of strength, inner-beauty, courage, and love. Her vibe is uplifting and inspiring. Her style is pure, her music is alluring, and her lyrics are convincing. This is refreshing in todays music environment, where the music buying masses are fed a diet of mantras and chants. When I first saw her perform her song "I'm ready for love" I was so moved off my foundation by the lyrics that I started doing poetry snaps. I highly recommend this album.

Evil in a Haystack
Time magazine describes the difficulty of tracking down escaped evildoers in Afghanistan:

When the Taliban crumbled in the face of the American bombardment last November and December, thousands of foot soldiers surrendered to the Northern Alliance. But many thousands more, including most of the commanders and the bulk of al Qaeda, simply melted away. Hundreds are suspected to have crossed into Pakistan. But many more shaved their beards, ditched their black turbans and bought safe refuge in the myriad out-of-the-way villages and hamlets that dot the Afghan countryside.

Meanwhile,
The Christian Science Monitor has a day-by-day account of "how bin Laden got away." The only problem is, the paper doesn't tell us where he is now.


But ... Seriously
The latest in "shock Television is that "Amy Fisher is out and Paula Jones is in as Tonya Harding's 'Celebrity Boxing' opponent, Fox announced Saturday," CNN reports. Fox won't say why Fischer, who shot and seriously wounded her boyfriend's wife, dropped out in favor of Jones, who accused then-governor Bill Clinton of dropping her pants in front of her.

Monica's Moment
I watched the Monica Lewinsky story on HBO Sunday. It is depressing to see a situation in which almost everyone behaved badly and the depths to which our officials - elected and otherwise - will dig through the mud. It's worth checking out as it will affect the way you watch the news. It's simply absurd that nearly $60 million and months and months of investigations was spent to answer the key question of the nineties: Was his hand under or over her blouse when he fondled her breasts? Good lawd!


Murder was the case that they gave him
I think it's hard enough for a defense attorney to defend a celebrity client. But it becomes 4 times as difficult if the murder suspects' name is C-Murder