Goodbye, 2006. I'll Love You Forever!!!!!!

This is so weird. But all week I have been dreading the coming of the new year. I know, I know. . . but like I just said and I am sure is obvious by now, Im weird.

But 2006 was so good to me I really don't want to see it end so soon. But even though it seems my life has been really good, I am open to it getting even better so reluctantly, I say good bye to '06.

On Thursday, before seeing Pursuit of Happyness I had lunch with my old boss Isoul, who is the entertainment editor of Atlanta Peach Magazine, which is so so sexy (the Ocean Drive Magazine that is . . and his job too!) Talking to him about how my summer was just got me nostalgic again for my best year ever. But as good as it was (im talking barefoot in Susan Taylor's kitchen sipping ginger tea, laughing to your stomach really starts contracting with friends you will love forever, being so loved by family you finally begin to understand and being blessed to shop like someone else is really paying the bill ) there are still so many things I have to look forward to in the New Year, including a ski trip on MLK weekend (and yes I still will be celebrating on Monday. Its a day ON people!) dropping these extra pounds I have put on this year I guess from the good life and enjoying this 21+ status and trips outside the states as my sites set on Jamaica for spring break and South Africa after graduation.

I guess for me, I remember me and one of my best buds couldnt wait to get rid of 2004 as we had buried her mom that October and I couldnt wait to get out of 2005 because it was the toughest year of my life and Im just thankful I mad it out of there and my health is stellar (too good, in fact with those extra pounds I mentioned). So I held on tight when 2006 came and it was all I had hoped for (minus that prince Im still waiting on:)
But the time has come to say good bye to my beloved 2006 .. . you'll always hold a special place in my heart.

-CJ

*yes this post was Cheezy. But it really was a good year. *tear, tear* I promise I'll leave the cheeziness in '06 . . .or atleast try:)

Dreamgirls. Im gonna love you? ok ok.

This Is EFFIE . . .






Now I have been waiting to see Dreamgirls since June. So why am I just now seeing it today?
Well, when you get too excited for something too early, you do yourself a disservice.I was so excited and had read so much about the movie, that by the time it made its way to theaters, I felt like I had already seen it. But I hadn't. I hadn't seen costume changing I could watch over and over again for days. I hadnt listen to the songs of a soundtrack I will WEAR OUT. I hadn't seen miss knowles take a shot at giving Dina her 'Actor's perspective.' I hadnt scene a movie with what Im sure had a hair budget that equaled its clothing and casting one. But I have never watched a movie and split up its cast as I did this one. Check my girl elle's blog for her sexy review. (dontchaloveit.blogspot.com)



This is Curtis Taylor Jr and his wife . . .Beyonce'






Beyonce was absolutely gorgeous in the movie. I loved watching her wardrobe post-marrying Curtis. But the whole movie I felt like I watched Beyonce and never met Dina (Deena?). It's not her fault. I mean, she is such a big star with an even bigger accent and I felt like I do when I watch her in a music video. Same way with Eddie Murphy. I loved him . .. but I only saw him, not Jimmy.


Dont get me wrong. I enjoyed myself at the movie but it's like the original Deena, Miss Sheryl Lee Ralph said, Deena was a certain type of woman and Beyonce just didnt take it there. The fact that she was lighter we all would like to think wouldnt matter today but in the days of the Dreamgirls/Supremes color DID matter and I just think someone else may have done Deena more justice . . . though Im sure Beyonce is a key for box office gold.

*I really need to see the original play so anybody who has it Ill provide popcorn and drinks if you let me watch!





The music in the movie was phenomenal. Now contrary to my opinions on her acting, I really am a Beyonce fan. This is one of her best scenes when she shows some real anger and obviously this is where we all clap around the world for 'And I am telling you'
So though Effie (see she was SOOO good I cant even call her Jennifer Hudson in this post) was obviously the singer with the most soul and emotion, What Curtis said about Beyonce having no personality isnt true and the contradiction of Effie being the better singer wasnt as pronounced

I had never heard of Anika Noni Rose before googling her this summer when I found out she was the third dreamgirl. She was definietly a breakout performer and a refreshing surprise.
Now, like I said I had the top I have been waiting on Dreamgirls since the summer. I was blessed to attend an event for the press where Jennifer and Keith Robinson who plays her brother CeCe in the movie where there. They were both really sweet and he was a cutie and tore it up when they both sang live for us. They both were phenomenal and is even getting his fare share of press! When I met him I thought he was familiar . . .I guess I remembered him from Fat Albert:)?
But as far as acting . . . Jamie and Jennifer were surely the bestest. Jamie is really a bonified real deal. It is a true talent to be such a signature person and yet to completely become that character. So yeah . . .Im glad I can move on from my Dreamgirls loveaffair! And if any guy ever makes me feel like Curtis did Effie here, I been practicing, And Your Gonna Love MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Yessss! Your Gonna Loveeee uvvvvvee Uvvee Meee heeeee!

*yes, Ill probably be seeing it at least one more time in the theater and getting the DVD when it comes. They should even do a part two. Just like Pursuit of Happyness, I would love to be an extra and be in those time period dresses. Does Curtis try and and turn his daughter into the new generation Dreams? Is CeCe really hooked up with Effie's replacement?

Merry Christmas and Pursue that Happyness!

Merry Belated Christmas! Mine was simple and sweet. Learned more about myself and my family - like how my mom never took a shower till college and how my brother is as selfish as ever- but I digress.

One thing I have always liked about the Christmas holiday is that my mom is a teacher and always spent it with us. So today me, her and my cousin Tia who just moved her and Im sure would be a lot like my big sister if I had one (she acts just like my crazy mama and has no qualms telling me something i am really not trying to hear like how I need a new bra and shes taking me shopping tomorrow. I mean, who wants to hear that . ..even if it is true?) So the movie was really phenomenal as I am sure you have already heard or seen for yourself. Definitely a tear jerker. Ironically we had just watched Hitch the day before reinforcing Will's acting abilities, though his son Jaden may be creeping up on him. A good surprise though was Thandie Newton as the mom. I love her (she was soo good in Crash!) and I could really feel her own turmoil from their stressful situation . . .though I could never leave my baby.
An even bigger Surprise was for my big mouth momma!
Now loving me in the little sister role my mom and cuz sent me to get our refillable popcorn bag refilled during the previews. I love watching previews so huffed off mad I had to get it, though when somebody else is paying for the movies as expensive as they are these days I guess I was earning my keep. I went out looking over my shoulders the whole time. I had already had spotted enough people I knew from around and high school - including one 250+ lbs. ex-boyfriend of my best friend who had a kid's popcorn combo, now he know he was wrong (and cheap). All clear this time.
So I get back with the fresh bag of cholesterol dripping kernels of corn just for my mom and cussing to be dancing and all excited and busting to tell me they saw my mom on the big screen. They had showed the preview for Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girl. They had filmed the church scene at my church and my mom was in the movie choir and they had scene her in the preview. I was happy for her but heated! I wanted to see it! ahhh well. If you see a chubby face, black -rimmed glasses, caramel colored alto, with twists on the third row on the left side in the preview its my mum.
But that movie was so good and a beautiful story to anyone needing some inspiration. I saw the real Chris Gardner on Oprah during Thanksgiving and I really have to read that book. The whole time he was homeless he said he always had a job. I just pray for those who are doing what they can and it still seems to not be enough. It is empowering to see someone go through so much and still overcome.

Hope you guys had a great Christmas and keep pursuing that happyness!

Queenie

*Couldn't the whole movie be called 'Running?' Will/Chris ran the whole movie. If you see a homeless person, just think they could be the next millionaire.