k. Melanie Unfurled.

Still Kicking.

2009-07-14T10:34:00.003-04:00

I need some fresh air. A fresh perspective on things.

Microsoft Takes a Bite Out of Apple

2009-07-17T10:23:00.012-04:00

Microsoft's new "Laptop Hunters" TV ads by famed agency, CP + B have some consumers thinking Apple computers are a bit pricey. Is the unconquerable Apple on the defensive??

"The 'PC Hunter' ads, the 'PC Rookie' ads clearly have been winners in the marketplace," said Microsoft Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner, speaking at the software giant's worldwide partner conference in New Orleans. "And you know why I know they're working? Because two weeks ago we got a call from the Apple legal department saying, 'Hey' -- this is a true story -- saying, 'Hey, you need to stop running those ads -- we lowered our prices.' They took like $100 off or something." [source]

And if Apple does move forward with legal action to halt the "Laptop Hunter" ads will this alter their uber cool image in the eyes of the consumers? I say it will!

Woe is Apple.

Comments from the peanut gallery criticize Crispin efforts as mundane:

"It's sad that out of all the possible attributes Microsoft could try to differentiate on "we're cheaper" is the only one that resonates with the public. Can't they do better?" -- to which I say, in this economy if all you have to say is "we're cheaper" to be effective, why do more?

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Laptop Hunters: $700 Matt and Olivia get an HP:

Read the entire Ad Age article here.

UPDATE: Microsoft Changes 'Laptop Hunters' Ad After Apple Complains - NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Following a complaint from Apple, Microsoft has quietly tweaked at least one of the ads in its "Laptop Hunters" campaign to reflect its rival's lower pricing on its Mac notebooks.

"RiseUp From Yuh Sleep and Slumber!"

2009-07-29T16:34:00.015-04:00

"...Remember Jah-Jah don't choose a number!" - Steve Culture.

The Adrienne Arsht Center presents the Florida premiere of the award-winning documentary RiseUp directed by University of Miami alum Luciano Blotta.

www.riseupmovie.com

"RiseUp is a journey into the heart of Jamaica - In the heart of Jamaica talent abounds, but opportunity is scarce. With amazing music and electrifying performances, RiseUp follows three distinctive artists in their struggle to rise from the underground music scene to reggae superstardom."

Florida Premiere of RiseUp!

August 14 (Friday) at 8PM

August 15 (Saturday) at 10:45PM

August 16 (Sunday) at 7PM*

*Official after-party at Reggae Sundays at Jazid hosted by Kulcha Shok

*NOTE: If you miss this one, you loose MAJOR cool points with me. I'll be there Friday night. We see you, Ms. Park!*

www.arshtcenter.org

Adieu, Advenir!

2009-08-20T12:45:00.004-04:00

I have the best co-workers in the world and I will miss them dearly!

...Most of them, anyway.

My Education, My Future.

2009-09-08T17:26:00.008-04:00

Our President delivered a "controversial", as deemed by some right-wing Americans, back-to-school speech this morning. As usual, he hit the nail on the head. Finally, a true leader! Take a look:

BTW, it wasn't so "controversial" in 1991 when President George H.W. Bush encouraged students to 'say no' to drugs and to work hard in school and in 1988 when Reagan delivered a nationally televised, politically charged back-to-school address... Come on conservatives, try again!

Here's CNN's coverage of the speech.

Gwaan work fi yuh likkle, til yuh likkle tun nuff...

2009-09-29T16:18:00.004-04:00

NEW MUSIC.

G-Whizz - Life
Intro
Umm, ah life, ah life
Tj ah jus life,
Ghetto youths neva give up di fight
G whizz dat ahh!

Chorus
Mi life soon sort out
So mi nuh worry
Umm, my life soon happy
Nuh matta wah dem talk bout
Nuh move crabby
Umm, nuh watch nuh badmind nuh body
Mama tell mi seh Son, guh hol ah medz
Nuh mek nuh body trick yuh n come fool up yuh head
Cah life soon sort out so mi nuh worry
Umm, my life soon happy

Verse 1
Ghetto youths juss gwaan brave di wedda
Jah guh mek it betta
Do yuh ting
Yuh hustlin be wise an get yuh act together
Nuh do nuthin weh nuh cleva
Fi dem get di betta
Fi come lock yuh inna jail an mek yuh suffa
Nuh greedy
Gwaan work fi yuh likkle til yuh likkle tun nuff
Nuh badda be nuh cruff
Believe me ghetto youths full ah talent
Suh yuh know we muss buss
Jah guide over us

Chorus
Mi life soon sort out
So mi nuh worry
Umm, my life soon happy
Nuh matta wah dem talk bout
Nuh move crabby
Umm, nuh watch nuh badmind nuh body
Mama tell mi seh fi guh hol ah medz
Nuh mek nuh bwoy trick yuh n come fool up yuh head
Cah life soon sort out so mi nuh worry
Umm, my life soon happy

Verse 2
Yuh might nah drive ah car now but yuh soon can drive one
Yea yuh soon can buy one
Yuh might neva fly inna plane before but yuh soon mek ah flight man
Juss gwaan trust di most high one
Mama teach me fi neva give up
All when di road get rocky an di dutty get rough
An mi tell her seh
Mama mi nah be nuh cruff
Mi ah guh out deh guh wuk it an mek yuh live up

Chorus
Mi life soon sort out
So mi nuh worry
Umm, my life soon happy
Nuh matta wah dem talk bout
Nuh move crabby
Umm, nuh watch nuh badmind nuh body
Mama tell mi seh fi guh hol ah medz
Nuh mek nuh body trick yuh n come fool up yuh head
Cah life soon sort out so mi nuh worry
Umm, my life soon happy

Bridge
Tj
Umm ah life ah life
Umm ah juss life
G-Whizz neva give up di fight
I go on an on an on
Umm ah life, umm ah juss life
Ghetto youths neva give up di fight
Me dat!

Chorus
Mi life soon sort out
So mi nuh worry
Umm, my life soon happy
Nuh matta wah dem talk bout
Nuh move crabby
Umm, mi nah badmind nuh body
Mama tell mi seh fi guh hol ah medz
Nuh mek nuh body trick yuh n come fool up yuh head
Cah life soon sort out so mi nuh worry
Umm, yea my life soon happy
Mi life soon sort out
So mi nuh worry
Umm, my life soon happy
Nuh matta wah dem chat bout
Nuh move crabby
Umm, mi nah badmind nuh body
Mama teach mi seh fi guh hol ah medz
Nuh mek nuh bwoy trick yuh n come fool up yuh head
Cah life soon sort out
Umm, yea my life soon happy, soon happy soon happy

Official White House Family Photo

2009-10-24T17:31:00.007-04:00

I'm still in awe. What a beautiful time to be alive...

Photo by Annie Leibovitz/Released by White House Photo Office

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters, Sasha and Malia, sit for a family portrait in the Green Room of the White House, Sept. 1, 2009.

[SOURCE]

The Divas Celebrate Anniversaire Deux in Grand Style!

2009-10-23T23:58:00.016-04:00

MIAMI - Downtown Divas Boutique quietly opened in the fall of 2007 with a simple fashion ethos – give the women of Miami beautiful, comfortable clothing with recession-proof prices.

Co-owners, Danielle Fraser and Serena Minott, or The Divas, as I so affectionately call them, designed a warm, sunlit space with neutral colors and vintage furnishings directly from the neighboring Wynwood Arts 'Design' District.

"The styles, each personally selected by the fashionable duo, are perfectly suited for warm weather and reflect the dynamic blend of cultures that is uniquely Miami."

Last night's "Downtown Divas Present... DEUX" event featured complimentary cocktails, specially prepared selections from the Rakkasan Chef, a 'Fall Trends Fashion Show' and 15% off all purchases with 5% of event sales going to Komen for the Cure for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

A Who's Who of south Florida Fashionistas and savvy Frugalistas graced the event. If by some twist of fate you missed DEUX, no worries, just stop by the boutique to get your fab fashion fix. Tell 'em McDiva sent you.

DOWNTOWN DIVAS BOUTIQUE
1800 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33132
305.808.9588
www.downtowndivasmiami.com

Fan the Divas on FACEBOOK

See pics from DEUX Anniversary Party, October 22

The Continuing Saga that is Ri-Ri vs. Breezy

2009-11-11T21:54:00.030-05:00

[photo credit: ABC/ Ida Mae Astute]

My thoughts on the Diane Sawyer/ Rihanna interview as stated on Corve DaCosta's Blog:

Rihanna's in the business to make money and to sell records. She probably has just gotten over her emotional scars from the humiliating incident and decided to capitalize on the “opportunity” by speaking on the issue while promoting her album, Rated R and single Russian Roulette. I commend her honesty and bravery. Tina Turner didn't speak about Ike's abuse until TEN years after she left him. Rihanna has proven herself to be an upstanding role model. To handle such a debacle in the public eye with such grace and strength is to be commended.

As she says in the interview, she couldn't let the decision to stay with Brown destroy the empire that she had built for herself and realizing the impact she has as a role model to young girls, she could not see herself being held responsible for someones death at the hands of domestic violence. That would be "a selfish decision for love," as she calls it.

Here are the links to part 2 and part 3 of the Sawyer/ Rihanna interview. If the above vids get pulled from YouTube, try this search.

BTW, it makes so much sense now why Rihanna's father didn't come and make a huge scene and have Breezy persecuted to the full extent of the law. He was an abuser himself, SMH. I was confused, especially because I know that if that was my father, Breezy would have to go into the Witness Protection Program to get away from my Daddy (and brother). I guess "duppy know who fi frighten."

STATS on DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:
• About 33% of female murder victims were killed by an intimate.
• About 3% of male murder victims were killed by an intimate.
• 81% of men who batter had fathers who abused their mothers.
• Children who grow up in violent homes have a 74% higher likelihood of committing criminal assaults.
• The number one killer of African-American women ages 15 to 34 is homicide at the hands of a current or former intimate.

Read more on domestic violence here.

Invictus.

2009-09-08T16:22:00.008-04:00

This morning, I found this piece of great inspiration and will take its message with me throughout the week. I invite you to do the same. "I am the master of my fate: the captain of my soul."

Stay blessed.

OUT of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley. 1849–1903