Would you date someone with kids?

As we've moved into the 21st century, lots of things have changed. The price of gas has gone up incredulously, tattoos are beautiful signs of self expression, and more and more single people have kids. So in the dating world, what does that mean for us?

If you meet someone dynamic -- someone too good to be true -- and he drops a "bomb" on you by saying, "oh, by the way, i have a son", or something like that -- what do you do? How do you weigh whether to continue the relationship or not?

I've had many friends date guys with kids -- and often times, it does require a lot of extra patience and understanding, and in the end, a lot of times, it was too much to bear.

As you get older, though, in your upper 20s and 30s, it's a lot harder to find a potential mate that still resembles society's "ideal" candidate for marriage, specifically:

1) no previous kids

2) never been engaged (because, who wants someone that's already felt they found "the one" before?!)

3) never been married (see #2 for reason. Stipulation: If a guy is 40 and never been engaged or married, that's a whole 'nother issue)

For me, I'll be honest. If a guy was to step to me and say he had a kid or kids, I'd have to say there would be a slim chance of anything happening. I wouldn't completely rule him out before I saw how he interacted with the kid and whether there was baby mama drama, but I want to be the first person with my mate to have our child. DISCLAIMER: If a man was married and his wife died or they divorced, that'd be ok. Also, if a guy had to adopt his niece/sister/cousin because of unfortunate circumstances, that'd be okay too.

But my bottom line remains: GUYS HAVING KIDS DUE TO IRRESPONSIBILITY AIN'T CUTE!

Tell me if i'm wrong, but "responsibility" only costs $2.99 a pack, so what's the EXCUSE?!

Gifted Hands on TNT

Alright, ya'll!!! Join this fan page -- it's a show I've been working on (marketing-wise) with a GREAT team of folks to get one of the best stories of the year promoted. Dr. Ben Carson. First neurosurgeon to separate conjoined twins. Brilliant. First, Barack on CNN, and now Dr. Carson's story on TNT.

Cuba Gooding Jr.
Kimberly Elise (she absolutely is the best actress ever, and you'll see for yourself in this movie!)

U know what u gotta do! It's on TNT Saturday Feb. 7th at 8pm....recruit some folks to watch and pass the word along! :)

Website:
http://www.tnt.tv/movies/giftedhands/
Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gifted-Hands/63584160349?ref=nf#/pages/Gifted-Hands/63584160349?ref=nf

Schedule:
February 7 @ 8/7c on TNT

Starring:
Cuba Gooding Jr., Kimberly Elise

Plot Outline:
A frustrated young boy with problems in school overcomes the obstacles in his life to become a world-renowned neurosurgeon in the new TNT Original movie GIFTED HANDS: THE BEN CARSON STORY. This uplifting and inspirational JOHNSON & JOHNSON SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATION® stars Oscar® winner Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire) and two-time NAACP Image Award winner Kimberly Elise (The Great Debaters, The Manchurian Candidate). It is based on the true story of Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, whose lifelong journey led him to become director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, a best-selling author and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The movie premieres Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT), exclusively on TNT.

Will praying for your man improve your relationship?

So, I had a great discussion with a couple of work friends at lunch today -- which begged the question -- is there really a "perfect" guy out there? Now, of course, none of us intelligent women believe there is such a thing, because that'd mean there's a such thin as a perfect PERSON. HowEVA, I do think a lot of us aspire to as close as perfection as we can get in a guy and when we find it, we hold on like hell.

What was most amazing to me is that one friend, let's call her Kim, is a newlywed and she and her hubby are the cutest couple in the world! So, when she told me that even SHE had to read and pray to get to a good place in her newly-minted marriage, I thought "hmm...even newlyweds are still trying to figure it out." What was even MORE amazing is that she told me, in all honestly, she wasn't sure she was ready to be married even during her engagement. How mind blowing is that?!

Whenever someone gets engaged, it seems they run to the alter (unless they're crazy and deranged or a drama-filled person anyway, in which case, we assume they're doomed from the start). But when Kim told me this, I realized that maybe not everyone is 100% sure when they get engaged or even married (thank goodness!).

Kim told me the secret to some of her success - she reads a book called "The Power of a Praying Wife", by Stormie Omartian . Now, Kim isn't a "holy roller" or even someone who claims to read Christian books (and I don't necessarily think "She's a Christian" upon meeting her, just to give you reference) - but she said THIS book, which she got as a gift for her engagement, has given her some amazing tools she's needed as an engaged woman and as a new wife and it's made a huge difference in her life.

Something I've been considering is this: perhaps we get confused or anxious when big events happen in our lives because we don't have something sturdy in our lives to ground us - whether it's your faith, purpose, or otherwise. And if we find that thing that we can hook onto to make us feel stable in life, then everything else will fall into place because we know THAT one thing...that stable factor...is true and pure.

Anyway, back to the book, check out the numerous reviews for The Power of a Praying Wife here and see for yourself if it might be a good read for you. I'm going to B&N this weekend and will flip-through to see for myself! Enjoy!

Beyonce & Justin Timberlake: Put a Ring On It Video

Check out your girl B with her new backup dancers that include Justin Timberlake in this SNL skit - I about died laughing! Is it me or is Justin really good and just trying not to be?!?! Enjoy! (Here's the link to the REAL Beyonce video...to compare...CLICK HERE TO SEE JUSTIN IN A LEOTARD DANCING TO "PUT A RING ON IT"!

McCain shows up to Letterman, after standing him up and getting called on it!

Not sure if you all remember this, but a few weeks ago, McCain was scheduled to appear on the David Letterman show. An hour before the show, he calls Letterman, cancels, and says he has to go "straight back to the White House." Letterman then has to scramble to get another guest on (Keith Olbermann, MSNBC anchor who hosts "Countdown with Keith Olbermann). While speaking to Olbermann, he finds out that McCain did not go straight to the White House -- instead, he did an interview with Katie Couric and Letterman caught it and blasted him for it.

So, the Mccain finally appeared on Letterman this week -- check out what he said about WHY he lied and hear his response to Palin's claim that Obama pals around with terrorists, and how Letterman says the same could be said of McCain -- is this your president?

Palin Supporters Afraid the "Blacks" Will Take Over!

In Ohio, a swing state in this election, Palin supporters came out for her rally and spoke about their feelings on Obama, revealing that they don't think a NEGRO should be president because NEGROES are 2nd string players...not 1st string (listen to how he says Negro -- you know he says ni**a when he's talking to his own peeps). Check out the video showing what they REALLY said -- what do you think about this?



Man, as this races comes to a close, people are becoming unabashed in their hatred and racism -- and that's freaking unfortunate. We all know racism still exists -- but having it bring brought out so openly in this election is not only disappointing, but it's dangerous...not just for Barack...but for his supporters (of any race/culture)...and for African-Americans as a whole.

We HAVE to make sure that as we move into the future, we become MORE tolerable, respectful, and inclusive...not LESS. And our president AND Americans should encourage that...and not the hateful rhetoric that will continue to divide our country and make it a dangerous place to live. 'Nuff said.

The Game: Derwin & Melanie - should she have kicked his butt to the curb...again?

I guess I'm in the blogging mood tonight! So, I watched the first 2 new The Game episodes and I have to say...I am totally emotionally involved in this show. Check out the beginning of the premiere episode below. (My favs: Jason and Kelly, and Derwin and Melanie).

In case you don't know how the season started...Derwin (NFL football player) and Melanie (the girlfriend who was with him before the fame...who broke up with him for good reason...left....found a new guy...and just now admitted she's still in love with him)...have been fighting to get each other back. Now, Melanie's given in and is ready to start again with her 1 and only love, thinking that he's free since he just broke up with his girlfriend Jenay.

So...after seeing this clip -- would you have stayed with Derwin? Or would you have kicked his irresponsible butt to the curb? I mean...I think love is strong, but THAT'S a lot! I hate when men say "i gotta take care of my responsibility" AFTER the girl is pregnant...um, homie...you should've been taking care of that BEFORE...meaning, wear a hat!

So, did Mel make the right move????



And for those who watched this episode, what the HELL was Malik thinking in talking to Tasha like that?! I loved how she mushed him in the head - way to go, mama Tasha!

McCain Shuts Down Supporters Who Call Obama a "Terrorist" or "Arab"

So, I was recently asked by many people why I haven't written about the election, as this presents a prime opportunity to blog about the state of the country, among other things. The answer is, everyone's writing about it...and I want to read what others think rather than spout out my thoughts on the campaign. However, a recent video caused a reaction in me that I can only describe as utter disappointment. Not on McCain's behalf, but due to the intrinsic, deep-seeded hatred that some people have and will never let go of.

Check out this video and tell me what you think about people who say racism is dead in America. Is America as screwed up as we feared, or do we have a shot at REALLY overcoming the demons of racism?