Sympathy Win for Michaels

ASSI – Bret Michaels the lead singer of Poison heard the words Your Hired from Donald Trump last night on the Finale of Celebrity Apprentice. Michaels and Holly Robinson Peete were the final two contestants vying for the coveted spot. Michaels who has been besieged with health issues: Emergency Appendectomy, Brain Hemorrhage, warning Stroke, and he has a hole in his heart. As the winner of “Celebrity Apprentice” he won $250K for American Diabetes Association, his charity plus what he won as Project Manager, which was around 160K.

Michaels did more sucking up and brown nosing than I had ever seen on the show, he was determined to win at all cost of reputation and/or dignity, and was without any shame for tactics used. He wants to be liked by everyone and will do anything to ensure folks like him. He played the game well without loosing his integrity which wasn’t difficult since there was no shame in his game. He admitted that he wanted the yes vote even if it was a Sympathy vote in his favor. Michaels was creative and pushed the envelope on more than one occasion, his thoughts often got the best of him and made him seem scatter brain, but his willingness to think outside the box led him to victory on three occasions.

Peete was an excellent fund raiser and raised a whopping $350K for Autism, her charity. Holly raised the most in the history of the Apprentice and Celebrity Apprentice, the woman has skills. A Snapple executive even mentioned that she would be a great asset to Snapple’s Board of Directors and I agree. Peete also won $250K for Autism. All together her foundation HollyRod will receive about $600K for her participation on “Celebrity Apprentice.” If it were not for Michaels health issues Peete would have won. Holly was gracious and emotional she could not stop crying. She was excited to see Michaels and even her five year old son said to her, Mom I want you to win but I am pulling for Michaels. I think all eyes were on “Celebrity Apprentice” just to see if Michaels would return to the finale and what condition he would be in, he had a noticeable limp, and was in great spirits. He looked exceptionally well in spite of all that he had been through.
Peete looked stunning in a silver shimmering mini dress that complimented her body but that wasn’t enough to sway the Donald to go against Michaels who overcame death. Peete won as project manager once and lost twice but of no fault of her own, she was a conservative player who did not go against the grain, and was unwilling to shake things up. She played it safe, did what she does well, and raised a boat load of money for Autism.

Chrisette Michele Returns with Epiphany

ASSI – It was early November on a cold and windy night in Bloomfield, Connecticut. I’d been away from home about three months; I was feeling a little down, I was home sick and feeling rather hum drum, and then I heard “Blame It on Me.” The lyrics caught my attention, especially the hook, but more than that it was the vocal instrument of a song bird that I was unfamiliar with. I could not place the voice but was enjoying the song, feeling was all up in the song, and nothing but pure raw emotions.

We have all been in a relationship that we know is without any potential, invested too many years or months thinking that its all going to work out, but the truth of the matter is, it has run it course and know one wants to be the blame for its demise. Do you really care who is at fault? Or is it more important that it’s over regardless? Although the song is unrelated to me at the moment, it conjured up memories of a past relationship, and if I were blessed with song writing skills. I probably would have written “Blame It on Me” myself. C. Payne, C. Harmon, and C. Kelly are the song writers who put pen to paper and came up with a song tailored made for Michele’s vocals. “Blame It on Me” was released in May 2009 but it wasn’t until that cold November night that I heard it for the first time.

It was January 2010 when I learned it was Chrisette Michele, a New York station was playing the song, and I was driving back to DC from Connecticut. I was surprised that it was Chrisette. I’d heard her music before but was not a fan. Her voice, although striking and one of a kind, it did not resonate with me. To me, her voice requires very specific songs, she is unconvincing on up beat – high tempo dance songs, and for that reason I had not given her a chance and probably wouldn’t have if I had not connected with “Blame It on Me.” My daughter came to pick me up and “Blame It on Me” was playing. She and I discussed the song and how fitting it was to her and my previous relationship. As we continue to talk, her CD served as back ground music, and a couple of the songs caught my attention. I asked if we were listening to various artists or one particular artist.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that we were listening to Chrisette Michele’s CD “Epiphany.” I downloaded the CD to my iPod for that one song. When I listen to music on my iPod, I shuffle the music, I like a mixture of music instead of playing one particular artist. However, a pattern started to emerge, when one of Michele’s songs would play. I either recognized her voice and turned up the volume, looked at my iPod to learn who and what I was listening too, and/or fast forwarded a track because the song does not showcase her vocals. It was apparent to me that I should take a listen to all of the songs; therefore, I concentrated only on her album on my way to and from work. The songs were played on shuffle but it gave me an opportunity to really listen to the CD in its entirety.

As I see it, Most artist want there CD to have a common thread that reads like a story. The same is true with “Epiphany” the lead track and the beginning of a love story: The woman is tired of waiting and wondering what’s going on with her man who is always some place else other than spending time with her and then she has an “Epiphany” that he isn’t going to change so she might as well leave and get on to the next chapter in her life. She thinks that she can handle it with “I’m Okay,” when I hear this song. I can see her singing in a smoke filled club. It has a Billie Holiday sound, her voice drags, and I can see her sitting with her sorrows, a cigarette in one hand and a glass of wine in the other remembering when things were good with Mr. Right.

Someone catches her eye in “Fragile” a song about that initial attraction with a hint of apprehensive due to rejection, but you take a chance and let it be known that your heart is “Fragile,” which is a mid-tempo song that is serious and fun. “Notebook” is the track that speaks to those girlish feelings when you are excited about the possibilities of this new love that you scribble the persons name on your tablet repeatedly and your inner feelings are captured in your daily journal. You convince yourself that he is your “Mr. Right” a song that could have been left off the album but it has its place in the story of the rise and fall of love. “Mr. Right” is my lease favorite song on the album.

When you meet who you perceive to be the right person, you can become consume and Chrisette Michele has a song for that too with “All I Ever Think About,” is reminiscent of a scene from a video or a movie where the woman is passionately thinking about her man to the point she clutches and wraps the sheet around herself to simulate ignited passion. Things are going well until Mr. Right place you on a pedestal and treat you like property. Michele let it be known that she must treated with respect and love, showered with kisses and hugs but not treated like a “Porcelain Doll,” which seems more appropriate for a musical.

As the relationship evolves Chrissette hits you with “What you Do” that has an Erykah Badu groove. The music makes you feel the song, I caught myself swaying, nodding, and just getting lost in the music. The lyrics are an after thought because her voice blends well with the music. Michele does a good job with “Playn’ our Song”; however, all I hear is Whitney Houston’s voice on this track. The title “Playin’ our song” says it all in a nutshell. It is mid tempo up beat song that you can get your dance on while cleaning the house on Saturday morning. The next song in the love saga is “Another One,” which is self explanatory. A selfish man who is unappreciative of his good woman and she wants to make it work with him but not apposed to moving on to “Another One,” which is prelude to my favorites song “Blame It On Me,” and the end to the love story. I give "Epiphany" 3 blinks

A Fee for A Seat

ASSI - I am rather disturbed. I just purchased an airline ticket on Air Tran and was charged for my seat. What is the cost of the airline ticket for? Is it not for a seat on the plane? Obviously not with Air Tran, and if it I were not flying with someone who requires a specific departure time, I would have chosen another airline. As soon as I was prompted to pay for the seat.

This is a warning to anyone who reads this. AVOID Air Tran Airline!!! To assess an additional charge for a seat, and depending on the isle you will pay anywhere from $15.00 to $6.00 per seat on an outgoing and return flight. This is beyond ridiculous. What in the world is going on with the Airline business? They no longer feed you, charge you for blankets, pillows, earphones, and luggage. Are we doing them a favor or is it vice versa? I know we need each other but at what expense? I have a choice in the airline that I chose and if I were not flying with someone else, I would not be posting this story.

As I see it, of all the things to pay for why give an additional fee to an airline for a seat? We must stand up and fight for the many injustices that exist in this country. I cannot believe this and will no longer stand for this and neither should you. Get this Air Tran's slogan is: "Go, there nothing is stopping you." Nothing but the FEES!

No More Giggling Nash

ASSI – Niecy Nash was voted off Dancing with the Stars on Tuesday’s elimination show. Watching her improve week to week and hearing her humors response to the varied questions asked was entertaining to me. Her giggly parts are no longer giggling for now but Nash will return for one final dance on the finale show. I feel badly for not voting but I simply forgot to watch Monday’s show. I made it a point to vote from my cell, home, and from my life partner’s cell. Each week, after she danced I placed my vote instead of waiting until after the show when everyone is attempting to call. The phone lines are opened immediately after the stars’ perform.

Nash often teased about being hungry and eating her share of burgers during her seven weeks on the show. According to Nash, she wanted to keep her wiggly and wobbly parts. Kelly Osborn and other contestants lost weight due to the grueling long rehearsals. Niecy made it a point not to follow in their footsteps. She often teased Kate Gosselin and Erin Andrews that they needed to eat, Nash would even it cookies after her performance, she was committed to giving her all, being funny, and maintaining her current weight. It seems she accomplished everything she wanted with the exception of winning the mirrored disco ball.

As I see it, if you want your favorite star to continue dancing and collecting a lucrative paycheck make sure you vote; otherwise, you impede their financial gain. I will admit it is fun to watch but in the end it is a job that pays well. According to the rumor mill, each star receives $200K initially, 20K or 50K each performance until voted off, and the winner receives 100K. I don’t blame them, I would do what it takes to secure your vote and live to dance anther day too. No worries for Nash who has two other paying gigs: Inside Edition and Clean House. Therefore, if you are a Niecy fan catch her on either show until her return to the finale show where she will dance one last time.