Tiger's Wood

Am I the only one who is not surprised by the Tiger Woods drama?  I don't know why everyone is SO shocked by his recent indiscretion or family "let-down".  In a country where you have better odds of surviving certain types of cancer than surviving a marriage, why should anyone really be shocked?

I think it would have been more shocking to realize he had been driving drunk.  While the story is not nearly as interesting as the vague statements continually released by Tiger, this goes to show you that nobody is perfect.  Maybe this is so shocking for some because of the pedestal these celebrities are placed on.  I've said for a long time that celebrity adoration is out of control.  We live in a media-obsessed world where there are very few laws to protect against the paparazzi over-drive we seem to be in the middle of.  I think it's time we all just take a giant step back from all things celebrity.

Tiger is a man.  He's a man who has women (and some men I'm sure) all over the world throwing themselves at him at every turn so they can be the next ex Mrs. Tiger Woods.  He's a man who lives in an American culture of disposable relationships, limitless power, unending influence, and staggering greed.  The American universe conspires against him.

The Bottom Line:
We live in a place where we always want what we can't have.  Like children, we want someone else's toy.  It doesn't change just because someone is in the media spotlight.  In fact, it may be worse at the "top" of the world.    Let Tiger and his family work out their issues.  The world will still be turning tomorrow and he will get back to golf soon enough.

The Big Kiss Off

I love how shocked everyone is over this ridiculous "in the moment"(in the moment my ass) American Music Award kiss.  Did anyone really expect Adam Lambert to act differently?  Be serious.  He's been a pair of boobs away from a drag queen for almost a year now!  Let's get something out of the way before we go any further.

I do not care for Adam Lambert as a person.  I don't think he's the best representative of the gay community.  He tries to dismiss the fact that he's a role model but he is...like it or not.  I guess that's what people want to see because that's the kind of person we keep putting out there.

That said, I do believe that he has a point about an entertainment double standard.  As a society we have far less of a problem watching Madonna, Britney, and Christina share a lesbian moment on an award show.  Oh, but let one pseudo famous gay guy decide to kiss his band member and people are crying into their AMA popcorn.  Give me a break.  In a country where sex between straight people is a multi-billion dollar industry and on-screen romps are commonplace (even in daytime), this should not surprise anyone.  Let's not get our underwear in a twist because of a gay kiss.  Gays are not going away and in fact are becoming more high profile every day.  It's a fact of life.  Get over it already.  To those who will belly-ache about their children seeing that...quit trying to pretend that your child will never or can never, know, go to school with, date, be friends with, or meet a gay person.  Instead, how about you teach your children that some boys and girls are different that way.  Then maybe you can skip the whole "shock and awe" routine when your child happens upon a gay moment somewhere.

The Bottom Line:
While I don't really care for Adam Lambert, I am glad he took his little political stand.   After a year of states bashing gay marriage, gay rights, and everything else that is "gay", it was nice to see someone just go out and be who they wanted to be...for all the world to see.  I believe it was equal parts gimmick and protest.  He gets an B for effort though.  He also gets an A for that kiss!  Wowza!

Black Barbie B.S.

So I'm reading up on the black Barbie collection just released by Mattel. There are people actually complaining that the Barbie is not black enough! These same people are saying she needs to have more natural hair or braids. Are we kidding here? I can count on one hand how many black women I know who wear their hair naturally. Better yet, most of the black women I know wear damn wigs or weave!!! I think all these ultra Afrocentric people need to give it a rest. Barbie has NEVER...EVER...EVER...been about representing a natural beauty...EVER. She's never really been fat. She's never been ugly. Barbie is a TOY. Get over it. If Mattel were to make her look like a Pamela Anderson amputee, that's their business. When did we all get so politically correct? For all the haters of the new Black Barbie: If you don't like it, make your own damn doll!

If people are relying on dolls to teach self-respect and pride, there is something very wrong with that. Parents, let the little girls (or boys) play with the dolls they want and BE the example that you believe they should see. It's that simple.

For the record, I don't believe there is anything wrong with wigs, perms, tracks, weave, new growth, natural hair, or any other kind of hair. So get up out black Barbie's Kool-Aid and quit trippin'!

New Music With a Norwegian Twist

Ladies & Gentlemen - Lars Larssen






The Official Lars Larssen Website
www.larslarssen.com

Lars on Myspace!
http://www.myspace.com/larslarssen

Lars on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=673915551&ref=profile

Shades on iTunes
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=319403986&id=319403921&s=143457

iPhone Douche Bag Syndrome - The Real Health Care Crisis

I want to start by saying that I believe that the iphone is a wonderful device. I do not dispute that this phone has changed the "game" when it comes to what people are capable of doing on a cell phone. For all it's success, the iphone has created a dubious phenomenon... the iphone douche bag or iDB!

Yes ladies and gentlemen, if you are not one of them already most likely you've seen them or know one. They are in their cars next to you in traffic, at the office in a cubicle, at the grocery store, the movie theater, study groups, churches, restaurants, doctors offices...you name it! They are characterized by being unable to pull their faces away from the iphone long enough to take in the world around them. They have replaced the loud, obnoxious cell user as the new annoying thing on the flight from L.A. to New York and everywhere in between.

I've been up close and personal with the iphone. I know it's great. I also tend to grant people their "new gadget honeymoon". I've been there before. The iDB, however, takes this obsession to a whole new level. Have you ever tried talking to the iphone Douche Bag about anything other than their iphone? I thought people talking about their young children or grandchildren were bad. They are mild compared to the iDB. I think it's time to put the iphone down and rejoin the land of the living. There is a time and place for the iphone. The restroom, hospital, game night, or other HUMAN social event is not really the place for it.

Don't let this happen to your loved ones. Act now before it's too late! Start an iphone Douche Bag support group in your area. It's an illness and must be cured. With your help we can see a brighter day for those suffering with iDBS. :-)

Stay iphone Free!

Michael Jackson - My Brother

As a child I recall listening to Michael Jackson and feeling a connection to the singer because we share the same last name. I used to pretend that he was my older brother. In fact almost everyone I ever ran across as a kid would ask me, "Are you related to Michael Jackson?” I will never forget that. On some level people have never stopped with that joke, even as an adult. It's funny how some things just stick.

My young mind was full of imagination when it came to music and I soaked in everything Michael did. While attending a private school where "penny loafers" were mandatory, I would put on my brightest white socks and the jet black loafers and dance on the tiled kitchen floor. My mom would just roll her eyes and giggle and what must have been my silly "knock-off" moon-walk. I never did learn how to do that correctly.

I think back to my very favorite song by Michael. It had to be, with out a doubt, "Black or White". Being of Scottish, African-American, and Cherokee descent, this was the song that helped me feel comfortable in my own skin. As I watched the music video with the different people of all races morph, one into another, I felt like I could be or do anything in life. When I heard that song it made me believe that my race didn't matter.

Fast forward to the present day... my karaoke staple is the song "I'll Be There". No matter how many new songs make their way to the top of the karaoke to-do list, that song is always a favorite.

Michael Jackson's legacy for me will always be how he wanted to inspire people to dream, to dance, to sing. Michael's music has shaped my life and made me feel at home. Though his life had shades of tragedy and failure, I still learned one very important thing: No matter what happens in my life...no matter what I go through, I can still do great things.

He will always be my pretend brother.
From one Jackson to another...Thank you.


Your "brother",

David Jackson

Stay Free!

Mariah Carey - Obsessed

June 16 2009 -

Mariah Carey will debut her new single entitled “Obsessed” from her forthcoming album – Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, due out August 25th. The single will air today on Chicago’s B96 radio station at approximately 3pm(cst). Visit www.b96hits.com for more info.


Mariah has described this as the perfect summer song. She will attempt to pass the Beatles as the artist with the most number 1 hits ever on the Billboard Music charts! She rests in second place with 18, having passed Elvis Presley on her last album release - E=MC2. Mariah will need 3 more number one hits to surpass the Beatles.


There is much buzz surrounding this new single and the album in general. It is rumored to be Mariah Carey's last studio album. Only time will tell.