BET Awards...

First off, let me say that I don't believe the whole show was a waste. Their were some good performances (the O'Jays, Jamie's tribute song to MJ, etc.) and good moments (Alicia Keys and Wyclef's humanitarian awards, Janet Jackson's incredible strength on stage, etc.) but everything else...everything else can pretty much be summed up in this clip.





just my thoughts...

Michael Jackson's death causes Internet traffic...

Michael Jackson's fame is so huge that his death caused internet sites to be temporally overloaded with users. Read the article below...

Jackson dies, almost takes Internet with him

By Linnie Rawlinson and Nick Hunt
CNN

LONDON, England (CNN) -- How many people does it take to break the Internet? On June 25, we found out it's just one -- if that one is Michael Jackson.

The biggest showbiz story of the year saw the troubled star take a good slice of the Internet with him, as the ripples caused by the news of his death swept around the globe.

"Between approximately 2:40 p.m. PDT and 3:15 p.m. PDT today, some Google News users experienced difficulty accessing search results for queries related to Michael Jackson," a Google spokesman told CNET, which also reported that Google News users complained that the service was inaccessible for a time. At its peak, Google Trends rated the Jackson story as "volcanic."

As sites fell, users raced to other sites: TechCrunch reported that TMZ, which broke the story, had several outages; users then switched to Perez Hilton's blog, which also struggled to deal with the requests it received.

CNN reported a fivefold rise in traffic and visitors in just over an hour, receiving 20 million page views in the hour the story broke. Read whole article here.

the king of pop...

The man didn't just have hits...he had CLASSICS. If I start listing his classic songs, I might end up listing every song he ever made. I remember when I was a kid, I would come home after school and ask my parents to put on the Thriller music video and Moonwalker. I grew up to MJ's music. From the Jackson 5 to Invincible...Michael was it.

RIP

$1.9M for file-sharing music...

Facing the music: $1.9M file-sharing verdict stuns Minn. mom
USAtoday.com

By Steve Karnowski, Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — A replay of the nation's only file-sharing case to go to trial has ended with the same result — a Minnesota woman was found to have violated music copyrights and must pay huge damages to the recording industry.

A federal jury ruled Thursday that Jammie Thomas-Rasset willfully violated the copyrights on 24 songs, and awarded recording companies $1.92 million, or $80,000 per song.

Thomas-Rasset's second trial actually turned out worse for her. When a different federal jury heard her case in 2007, it hit Thomas-Rasset with a $222,000 judgment.

The new trial was ordered after the judge in the case decided he had erred in giving jury instructions. Read rest of article here.

T-Mobile myTouch...

T-Mobile has recently announced the future release of their new smartphone, the myTouch. It's clear that T-Mobile is making an attempt to compete with the new iPhone 3GS and Palm Pre (which is a pretty nice phone). The myTouch is another Google-powered phone like the T-Mobile's G1 but this phone is completely touch screen. T-Mobile claims that the myTouch is different from other smartphones because it will allow consumers to personalize the phone. The consumer will be able to add widgets, music, a personal calender, photos, and web link shortcuts. Doesn't sound much different from the iPhone to me but we'll see. The myTouch will be available for T-Mobile customers July 8 for $199. Check out this article about the myTouch.

Young Writer's Block newsletter...

Here's this week's Young Writer's Block newsletter. It is an effort to take the talents of creative bloggers and combine the writings of the authors into an online newsletter. The newsletter focuses on issues that would be of interest to the young professional. Through the efforts of the bloggers, those who read these revelations of the authors involved will hopefully be inspired to think critically, discuss with one another the truth and validity of these articles, and finally to engage in applying the lessons read in their personal life or the community they live in. Enjoy!

HEALTH, BEAUTY, & FASHION

Sunscreen Does a Body Good...Luscious Lips, Mu Ah! Kisses! Read more from Tasia S. at http://queentahj.blogspot.com/2009/06/lusicous-lips-cancer-free.html

INSPIRATION'S CORNER

Check out what Brandelyn C has to say at http://beencee.com/blog2/2009/06/shriveled_and_balled_up.html

The race was not given to the swift....life can make you tired at times, but keep your head up and keep God first. Check this out from Shantell H.: http://themoralmuse.blogspot.com/2009/06/yes-times-have-changed-but-some-things.html

POLITICS NEWS & SOCIETY

Republicans jealous of Obama? Seems like they hate his charisma...Read more from Corey P at http://theapathyremedy.blogspot.com/2009/06/jealousy-unleashed-rnc-downs-obamas.html

MUSIC

This week's post is dedicated to the smooth jazz/soul r&b lovers out there, check out the sounds coming from SonikBoom Productions. Read more from Sharniece M at http://eardrumkrushez.blogspot.com/2009/06/introducing-sonikboom-productions.html

iPhonge 3GS...

New iPhone 3GS heats up smartphone wars
By A. Pawlowski
CNN.com

(CNN) -- When Apple starts selling what it bills as the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet on Friday, the company's latest entry will only heat up the already sizzling smartphone landscape.

Fans, techies and ordinary consumers eager to purchase the new iPhone 3GS may be preparing to stand in line at Apple stores around the United States and seven other countries. But they have more choices than ever when it comes to phones that act like mini-computers.

"We expect that [smartphones are] going to be the fastest growing consumer segment for quite some time," said Ryan Reith, a senior research analyst for technology research firm IDC.

"It's all about connecting to the outside world."

The U.S. smartphone market grew by 68 percent last year and is projected to grow by 20 percent in 2009 and almost 25 percent next year, according to IDC. Compare four smartphones

No wonder companies are rushing to meet the demand for sleek mobile devices that combine e-mail, data, music, photos -- all in the palm of one's hand.

Interested in something other than the iPhone? The options include the new Palm Pre, Research in Motion's BlackBerry Storm or phones powered by Google's Android or Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating systems.

The key is having access to the Internet anytime, anywhere. Read more here.

Young Writer's Block Newsletter...

There is an initiative that I am a part of, called the Young Writer's Block. It is an effort to take the talents of creative bloggers and combine the writings of the authors into an online newsletter. The newsletter focuses on issues that would be of interest to the young professional. Through the efforts of the bloggers, those who read these revelations of the authors involved will hopefully be inspired to think critically, discuss with one another the truth and validity of these articles, and finally to engage in applying the lessons read in their personal life or the community they live in. Enjoy!

MUSIC
Sharniece M on the Black Eyed Peas: Hear it before you buy it. The deluxe edition of Black Eyed Peas The E.N.D. at album.http://eardrumkrushez.blogspot.com/2009/06/album-previewreview-end-deluxe-edition.html

INSPIRATION'S CORNER
Some words of inspiration from Brandelyn C. on life, trusting God, and learning to get out of your own way. Read more at http://beencee.com/blog2/2009/06/let_it_be.html

Check out Issa S. and see what new things she is bringing us as it relates to art, creativity and design at http://blankbareclean.blogspot.com/2009/06/roninss.html

TECHNOLOGY
Cell phone elbow - pain caused from spending too much time on the cell phone. Really?! Check out the full article from John F. at http://justjsthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/06/cell-phone-elbow-for-real.html

ACTIVISM & CAUSES
The fight for gay rights has been what some would describe as the new generation civil rights movement. Read what William G. has to say about this movement from a "straight male's perspective" at http://think.mtv.com/044FDFFFF01A516D1000800996DFC/User/Blog/BlogPostDetail.aspx

HEALTH, BEAUTY, FASHION
For the ladies and the men: Check out what Chris M has to say about thrift store shopping. We all know times are hard in ther current state of the economy, so maybe you might learn something about frugality!
http://mrsociallyactive.blogspot.com/2008/10/do-your-wardrobe-favor.html

POLITICS, NEWS, SOCIETY
Reconciliation. That is the name of the game between America and countries with large Muslim populations. Read what Corey P has to say about what Obama's trip to Cairo, Egypt is supposed to accomplish and why reconciliation is important to all Americans at Cell phone elbow - pain caused from spending too much time on the cell phone. Really?! http://theapathyremedy.blogspot.com/2009/06/can-you-forgive-america-o-muslim-world.html

10 ways twitter will change american business...

Check out the article.

• Hyper-Local Marketing
• Making Old-World Advertising Work
• Turning Wall Street on Its Head
• Making Blogs Count
• New Ways to Get Consumer Data
• Helping TV and Print
• Expanding the Power of Micropayments
• Changing Telecommunications
• A New Way for the Government to Reach You
• Charity Begins Online

lisa leslie's last season...

Even if you've never watched a WNBA game, I'm sure you've at least heard of the name Lisa Leslie. After 13 years with the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks and one of the four remaining players who played in the WNBA's inaugural season, Leslie is hanging up the hoopin' shoes after this season. She's one of only four basketball players (that's including men too) to win MVP, All-Star MVP, and Finals MVP in the same year. Plus, she's the first women's professional basketball player to dunk in a game. The Los Angeles Sparks have been fortunate. Even though they lose Lesile, they still have Candace Parkers, and Parkers's game is solid.

Check out the article at WNBA.com.

cell phone elbow? for real...

Cell phone elbow - pain caused from spending too much time on the cell phone. Google it...seriously. You can add that to the list of "injuries caused by overuse of elbow" right below tennis elbow and golf elbow. It might sound funny but apparently it's something doctors are seeing in patients. It's actually nothing brand new. The condition is called cubital tunnel syndrome which is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome. The difference is that cubital tunnel syndrome occurs in your elbow and not your wrist. Bending your elbow for an extended period of time can damage the nerve in your arm which can cause tingling in your ring and small finger. So if you've had this feeling before while talking on your phone, then you've experienced cell phone elbow. Want to avoid it? Please remember to switch hands when talking on the phone for long hours. If that's too hard, use one of the many wonderful hands free devices available to you.

Check out these articles at CNN.com and ScientificAmerican.com about it.