Monday, December 21, 2009

Brittany Murphy.

We all know her well. I know I do. Damn, I watched Clueless, like, over a million times.

Brittany Murphy = da shiznit.


(photo found here)

32. Young. Beautiful. Talented.

Rest in peace, yo.

Friday, December 11, 2009

The Princess and the Frog.

It's about time America and Walt Disney welcomed its fist black princess to da big screen.

(photo found here)

Her name is Tiana and tomorrow night, her film comes out.

Amidst all of this Obamamania, I believe this film will attract peeps who would probably not see it a year ago. And, let's face it, half of them will probably be there because Oprah's a part of the project. I know I'm one of 'em. How do I feel?

Proud.

Proud to be a black woman, screenwriter, and human being.

Disney, you're movin' on up. Congrats.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Late Night Conversation.

You know how this goes...

I sigh.

INT. BAR - NIGHT
Champagne. No cherry. I have a hoody on and it feels nice. Next to me sits a good Friend.

We're talking about love and hurt and assholes.

Me: "So, did your girlfriend have a good time during her visit?"
My Friend pauses, not taking her eyes off the glass of merlot in front of her.
Friend: "Umm...we had a terrible fight. She left after a few days. I bought her a ticket and now she's back in Italy."
Huh? I glance at my champagne glass, distracted by the popping bubbles. Are they surprised, too?
Me: "Wow. What the hell happened?"
Friend: "I'm...I don't know. I miss her when she's gone and can't stand it when she's here. We just fight all of the time. This girl gave me a hug at a bar and she went crazy. We yelled and screamed until she finally told me she wants to go back to Italy."
Me: "So, you're going to move back there, right?"
Pause.
Me: "...hello?"
Friend: "I don't know. I mean, maybe. I want to give it time. We've been together four years. I'm in love with her but want to think right now."
Me: "If you're in love with her, wouldn't you be there?"
Pause.
Friend: "I guess you're right. I should be there if I truly love her in that way, but I like my life here."
Me: "Well, do you think you're in love with her?"
Friend: "Yes. I mean, she annoys me. I just ignore her when she's mad now and she hates it. I went surfing alone and left her at the house when she was here."
Damn.
Friend: "I don't know if this makes sense, but I know it won't matter. How I treat her. She'll still be there."
Me: "Like, you know you can get away with whatever?"
Friend: "As bad as it sounds, yes. She'll come back."
Me: "So, that's why you're mean to her?"
Friend: "Yes, and her crazy possessive behavior makes me act that way."
Me: "Oh, come on now. You can't blame that on her. You're in control of your actions, not her."
Friend: "I know. I'm an asshole. I can't help it. I try to change."
I sit there, quiet. What is there to say?
Me: "Maybe you just need some space, emotionally, for a while to see where your heart will end up."
Friend: "I don't know what I need."
I take a sip of my lovely champange, letting the music and conversation take over our attention. Sometimes words just ain't needed.

This is a tough one to swallow. I find myself not able or wanting to get on her case for being rude to her girlfriend. Sometimes we can't explain the things that we do, and I get that. I've been there. But, ultimately, what makes me sympathize with her is the fact that she seems so stuck. Not knowing whether to break up or continue a relationship that has no great destination. I gotta say, though, that it's hard not to get on her ass since she's been with this woman for so many years and doesn't seem to be in love anymore.

But hey, what do I know? Perhaps they are madly in love and just going through a frustrated point in their lives. Maybe they both need to be living in Italy in order to have a fair shot together.

Sigh. Screw that. If it's meant to be, it'll be. No matter the distance, time, or issue. Being in love is being in love. Just like being out of love is, well...

being out of love.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Come Out, Come Out. . .


All of the peeps watching The Today Show had a nice surprise on this morning's show when actress Meredith Baxter ("Family Ties") told the world she's a lesbian.
I could come up with numerous jokes about this news, but what matters most is that she finally found the courage to be herself. For that, I am thankful and excited to see others follow in her footsteps.
Welcome to Lezzie Land, Meredith.

Tiger Woods - Stuck in A Sandtrap.

Welp, it's official, folks. Tiger Woods had at least 1 affair, if not many more.

I gotta say, I'm shocked. Like Kobe Bryant's transgressions a few years back (r-a-p-e allegations), I just didn't see it coming. How can this sweet lookin' Mo-Fo be cheating on his wife? Okay, I guess one reason could be he's unhappy, but why not get a divorce? 'Cause the way thangz are going down right now it's more embarrassing for everyone involved by not signing those papers.

Which inspires me to ask, where's the respect? At the end of the day, that should be there. I can totally understand falling out of love with an individual, but not completely throwing care and consideration out da window. We all know that Tiger was lying, which caused his wife to go through his phone (amongst other things, probably). All he had to do was break it down and tell her, "I'm seeing other women. I'm not happy in this marriage." Sure, maybe he did, but I doubt it. Tiger was obviously very sneaky and dishonest about his cheating (check out the voicemails he left some of the ladies he slept with).

Okay, let me try to understand something real quick. What would cause me to go through my partner's phone? Hmm, I NEVER would, but if I did, this would be why --

-If she was telling constant lies that were driving me insane.
-If she wouldn't answer my questions, or ignored me when I asked about the possibility of her cheating.
-If I saw pics of her flirting with other women in different parts of the country.

But, once again, I am brought back to this question: is it our business? A few days ago, I would have said NO. But, now it is a definitely Yes. This man is a public figure who everyone recognizes in the world. He has a brand and an image to maintain. I've payed to see him and bought numerous products featuring his face smack dab on the front of it.

Tiger, you owe us an explanation. Straight up. No more of the superficial statements on your website. Get out of your house, put a band aid and Neosporin on your cut up face, and get your black booty to a TV studio.

I'm waiting with the rest of da world.

Things I Lost in Da Fire.

Well, we all learn lessons. Some the easy way and some the hard way.

I loaned an acquaintance my favorite book by Eckhart Tolle -- The Power of Now -- over three months ago, thinking I'd get it back within a reasonable amount of time. Honestly, I was glad to share it with her because we share some similar perspectives and I knew she'd appreciate his words. But, when someone else wanted to read my book, I asked for it back. No response. Then, I asked again and again. Then, after weeks of asking I realized --

Lauren, you can just buy another book and stop creating drama. She's not going to respond or mail it back to you and there are many places this energy can go toward that's being wasted on getting the book back.

Word. Sure, it means a lot to me for numerous reasons (the writing I scribbled, the worn pages, the smell), but it means more that my energy is focused on positive actions. And, pestering someone about an item I loaned ultimately doesn't matter in the scheme of thangz.

For example, maybe she's meant to keep the book. Perhaps one day years or months from now she'll find it under a cluttered sofa and read it during a troubled time in her life -- the catalyst to her awakening. Or, maybe she'll pass it on to another friend who so desperately needs the embrace of Eckhart's words and finds inspiration through them.

Who knows why certain things happen.

I mention this situation to you all to highlight the power of letting go and giving up the fight on battles that don't matter or do us any good. If you loan something to a friend, don't think you will or won't get it back. Just know that what you're doing is happening for a reason.

Give with love, knowing that the love may not be returned. And, be okay with that.

Truth is, I know nothing about her. We've never even had a deep conversation about who we really are or what we want in life. I don't even think she knows where I am from honestly. But, this is Los Angeles and this is the world...at times we just don't know a damn thang about each other.

Gotta go hit up Amazon.com. Besos.