"DRAMA?! Where's It At?: Quick Glance At Drama In The Media"

     Late last night, I was up job searching and I decided to check out some television. Now, usually, if the television is on (which is rare), it's for Netflix, Real World, Martin, documentaries from the history channel, sports, or 90's cartoons...but I tune into LMN and Lifetime sometimes. I found "Celebrity Wife Swap". Sometimes interesting, sometimes not x_x. On last night's episode, Lisa Leslie and Julie Brown were switching homes for a week. You know how this goes, right? They take two wives from two mildly to extremely different environments and lifestyles and place them into each other's homes for a week. After the week is up, the wives (and their partners) meet up to "discuss" the observations, experiences, and likes and dislikes of the other family's routine. Ever wonder why they don't swap husbands on the show?  I even checked Google to see if there was an episode that had switched husbands, but when I typed "husband swap" in the search engine, one of the results I viewed was an actual wife swapping business where wives swap husbands for sexual pleasures. Definitely not was I was looking for...(moment of awkward silence).

     Okay, anyway, I continued watching the episode, and as the end of it approached, the mini preview before the commercials as to what was happening next flashed across the screen. Alongside the dramatic music and the flick of both families sitting across from each other at the table, the preview showed a Lisa Leslie's slightly and seemingly stern facial expression towards her husband, and Julie Brown making a statement about wearing heels in order to get Leslie's husband's attention. "OHHHHH!! No she didn't!!!" "Why was Lisa looking like that?!" "Drama! Drama! Drama!" I mean, those are just a couple of examples of how I'm certain some people felt. After the commercials, I watched the rest of the episode, and that "drama" showed in the preview of what was coming next, was not what actually occurred. Yes, Leslie had a certain facial expression at one point (after finding out her husband lost his tennis match because she doesn't like losing lol), and Brown made a statement about wearing her heels (because she felt it was the best way to get Leslie's husband's attention because of his height), but, the clips shown in the preview, were edited to display the presence of drama. To keep the viewer interested. Drama. Something that keeps some people alive, right?!

     We gladly embrace the ability the media grants us to study, evaluate, and respond to someone else's drama while temporarily escaping our own lives. Some of us await gossip and even start it to create drama...in real life (i.e. Facebook and Twitter he say/she say, attempted defamation of someone else's character, keyboard warriors, dramatic confrontation, etc). To live and thrive off of it. So what better way to help the drama fiends survive than to offer shows like reality shows (with limited scripting) with real life, actual individuals sharing their drama with the world?! Sure, mystery, battle, love stories, and crime stories ignite a flame for more, but it's drama. No matter how big of the drama or small. Perhaps, drama can have different categories, but... it's still drama. Reality shows and tv drama...YES!! So many to choose from. Enough shows to make a status on Facebook about. Enough shows granting us the ability to make a call to a friend to discuss what just happened, or to chat about over lunch! It may be a guilty pleasure of all of ours. My drama is "Real World: Free Agents". I'm not a "Real Housewives of (insert location here)", "Love and Hip Hop", "Scandal", "All My Children" or "The Bachelor" type of individual for reasons that I should save for another blog, but the drama in my show is there, too. I don't search for it though. I'm more interested in how a group of people manage to live together and face each other in challenges while fighting for money (and pride), but the drama makes its way in.

     What we seldom think about, though, is how some of us allow ourselves to get sucked into the drama from the media. How we feed into their edited previews and clips and shows and allow it to consume our minds. How the media only offers certain information when covering things that have made the news, and how negative or devastating news is displayed more than positive news. Did you even notice how drama is used to lure some of us in? Have we asked ourselves "Why do I like watching women argue and talk about one another behind their backs?", "Why is being someone's mistress so enticing?", or "Why am I watching people fight?" Is it because it just happens? Is it because it's life? Is it an outlet for some people that sleep with drama? Is it consoling because it shows that all humans have issues? Is it just a simple guilty pleasure? Is it something we cannot avoid? Is it even a big deal? Really...Why do you watch?

                                                            Google Image

B. Elae
5/24/2014
12:10 p.m.

"Florida Fashion: Blog Interview with Lakesha J"

The Floridian Fashionista :Blog Interview with Lakesha Johnson"

      Although I represent and acknowledge the talent in my hometown, I have other homes all over this place, and this blog is touching down in Florida, where my sister/friend/future clothing designer currently resides. After developing a sister-girl friendship with this young woman and being introduced to her talents, I wanted to share her gifts with you all and tell the fashion industry to make room for an upcoming fashion designer. Ms. Lakesha Johnson (credits to her late Aunt Carolyn) originally from Bell Glade, Florida, has been a resident in Tampa, Florida for approximately 13 years. Johnson, a student at Sanford Brown (known as IADT until it's name was changed recently) is expected to graduate next year from the School of Design, and plans to relocate to another state with her children after she completes her internship.

     When asked what influenced her to follow her path in fashion designing, Johnson replied "In high school, for quite some time I was known as 'the girl that carried the car purse'. Lol! I drove my mom crazy when I used to cut my clothes up. I remember I safety pinned a denim jacket and pants set. Lol! I'm sure it was absolutely ridiculous looking, but I thought I looked great. But for years I never knew why I did what I did to my clothes nor why it was so different. At work, they called me a diva. But what really set my tail on fire was my pastor. She was talking about wasted talent one day in church. And I thought, "Wait! What am I doing with my life?" The next day I called IADT."

     Since then, Johnson has been taking steps to achieve her goals. For all of you fashion lovers out there with inquiries about what Johnson specializes in, and for who, she shares, "I've only worked with fashion fabric once. I'm obsessed with home decor fabrics. I love patterns and odd shapes. Home decor fabric is so beautiful. It's not ruff on the skin either. My teachers can immediately know that I designed something just by looking at the fabric. My school only teaches us to design for size 8, but there's a class that I'm going to be taking soon that teaches us how to 'grade' patterns. Meaning, making them bigger or smaller. Right now I only do women's clothing, but once I learn the grading techniques, I'm gonna design for everyone."  Johnson furthers shares that she also makes earrings (one of her personal favorite fashion accessories), bracelets, and fabric clutches which may possibly be seen in one of Florida's local accessory stores soon! 

     Johnson, well aware of a numerous amount of fashion designers in various locations, is a fan of Fenty Parker (whom she's been following on Instagram..she loves him that much haha)! Johnson, also expanding her creativity into wig-making enjoys taking pictures. She states, "I see everything in fabric. People will see a tree, I see a cool looking pencil skirt. I'm kind of weird like that." When working on her designs alone, Johnson turns on some music and grooves to help her avoid checking out the time, but when her classmates are in the room(in which Johnson said she's more focused), they entertain one another to keep focused on completing their individual tasks and not on the time. 

    When asked to share some advice that would assist other aspiring fashion designers, Johnson replied "...It's not at all what you think! You really have to have a real passion for fashion design. You have to be willing to sacrifice sleep, a lot of your time, ALL of your weekends. This industry is not for the weak and lazy. But all the sacrifice pays off in the end. You look back and you're like, 'Wow! I did that?. Just be prepared to fight for your passion. It's not easy, but it's worth it. And there are SO many fields in the fashion industry you can work towards. You may enter school wanting to be a fashion designer but change your career path 15 times before you graduate." Johnson also stated that time-management is her most-challenging attribute in fashion designing... "Work, school, and parenting full-time can be extremely overwhelming!" Johnson, a super-mom, an employee, a provider, a student, and a fashionista is just another example of someone chasing their dreams while balancing reality and responsibilities.

     Interested in learning about her inspiration for her dream, I asked Johnson what her inspiration was."Sounds kinda selfish..." she began, "but I'm my own inspiration. I say that because I've always been easily discouraged. I've allowed myself to believe others when they said I couldn't do it. I say to God sometimes, 'Lord really? You picked the hardest industry on the world to break into for me to pursue?' He knows best. I want a career to make a better life for my kids of course, but I feel this is God's way of proving me wrong. And he's pushing this wonderful talent he provided out of me that I've allowed to remain dormant for years. I'm getting all mushy. Lol!"

Approaching the end of my interview with Johnson, she shares that she is working on a webpage, and is waiting to have at least 15 pieces to showcase on her page for her customers. SO, BE ON THE LOOKOUT!!! I will even keep you updated.

I was grateful for the opportunity to have developed a friendship with Lakesha as well as learning that she, too, like all of us, was given a purpose and  is pursuing it despite those that told her she was incapable of doing so. It's definitely a challenge when climbing to the top, but day by day...day by day...

KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR LAKESHA'S WORK!

With Realness.

Bee Elae 4/30.14

"Internet Picture Evaluation: "Not Knowing How To Be A Man Because of Mom"

 

Initially, I wanted to respond to this image by blowing up, but it really wasn't worth it. There are a multitude of images swimming across our screens created by individuals that are stuck in a negative state of thinking. As we are all well aware, uninformed persons, haters, trolls, and internet thugs make their way into any open space in social media- including images such as this one. So, I'm just going to find them and evaluate them...when worth evaluating.

For starters, allow me to state how frustrating it is to hear and see individuals look down and attempt to bash all single-parent households while attempting to shove their assumptions and horribly supported statistics down single-parent household children's throats...and also attempt to portray us as "inferior". As just one of the many successful young people raised in a single-parent household, we are NOT inferior to anyone...and not all of us are requesting your pity, your need to make us feel "whole", or your eyes for observation to please your opinions. One of the issues with these judgments made towards single-parent households is the belief of norms, that are not not only created for genders, but also for the "American Dream" and what is ideal for a household. Despite these norms, in reality (a.k.a. THE REAL WORLD), both parents will not always be present in the same home (or in the child's life in some instances), and the partners or parents in a household may share the same sex or gender.

Reality does not always correlate with the norms given to us in our societies by individuals we'd deemed as dominant. I do understand that there are complications in certain single-parent households for some children. The absence of a figure in a home can affect a child. Actually, most, if not all, are affected in some form when a parent is absent, but the general attitudes and assumptions directed towards us are not okay. By the way, children can be affected when both parents are in the home as well...for the folks that forgot that part. These attitudes we have towards people who are different than us are so absurd. Have you even taken the time to learn about someone that has lived differently than you? Probably not. But an immense amount of individuals still muster up the audacity to view someone in a negative manner. I caught one of my relatives slipping after they made a remark about children of single-parent households, and although I was caught off guard with their statement, I immediately corrected them and ended with an eye-roll. Shooottttt.

Another reason I chose not to become angry with this image is because it shows no type of validity. We don't know the backgrounds of any of the individuals in this image-including the members of their households. We don't even know if the woman and young boy in the top half of the image were photoed to be mother and son. This whole single-parent image is mainly directed towards Black or African American families-considering African Americans have been the common race with the portrayal of single-parent upbringings throughout the media. Actually, even without examining and picking out a specific race, the single-parent household image is growing within the media. At any rate, after viewing this image, anyone can be guilty of possessing a negative attitude or negative perception. Why? Because some individuals that share the same race possess the same negative attitudes, images, and stereotypes towards children of single-parent households and single parents displayed in the image. When referring to "single parents", I'm making reference and acknowledging the parents that have picked up the slack of their absent partners and have taken the roles of both parents to provide for their children without any underlying motives. Another reason why almost anyone can be guilty? Because of the assumptions in which single-parenting only exists when referring to race and ethnicity, and also, because some of us accept the type of attitude and depiction provided in this image.

Taking it back a little further, we're still battling with gender norms and expectations through learning about "how to be a man" and "how to be a woman". Why is single-parenting the "blame" for sexual orientation/preference? How closely are they actually related? What about households in which both parents are present? Why do single parents that have done the best they could and set a positive example for their children lose credibility once the preference of their child's sexuality is known? Why are they the immediate blame? What if the parent(s) followed the "Rules of Gender Norms", but their child's sexual preference isn't what was "expected"? I just have so many questions...and I don't want to sit in front of a pile of paper covered in studies. Numbers, in certain areas, are suspect. Maybe that's just me.

I am so well aware of the changes and certain emotions felt when a parent is absent, but single-parent housing isn't always single because some children have other influential individuals that have assisted them and have been a positive influence in their upbringing. Also, single-parenting is not as negative as it is commonly portrayed. Understand success is attainable for us as well, and sexual orientation and preference is not necessarily based on the parent(s) present or absent.

Bee Elae

4/22/2014

"Bloggin', Workin', Waitin' " http://brikhousedelights.blogspot.com/

Hopping back into the blog world! I have so many topics I want to just explode on, but at the same time, I'm trying to deal with the imbalances of life. Some of us have the biggest dreams, right? Things we've been wanting to do or want to do. We (some of us) work hard-dedication, motivation, persistence-and it's still not our turn. I believe some of us expect it to just happen because we feel we've worked hard enough for it. We decide when we deserve something and it totally doesn't happen like that. Like, seriously. We're aimlessly searching and inquiring "Why me?" and "When is it my turn?" A few things I'm still learning: time was not created to vow to always be our friend (therefore it does not, in fact, have to be on our side), we do not decide our turn for success and breakthrough in all cases (we do have control over our decisions), and we all have a purpose we are free to accept...or not. My writings, my poems, and my passion for and need to assist juveniles undergoing troubles in the justice system and victims of domestic violence and assault- of which I attended college for- are all waiting to be unleashed and exposed to the world. They're screaming for opportunity and acknowledgement. I'm eager, but it's not my turn. And because it's not my turn, I'm forced to wait...and while I'm waiting, I have to work on improving all of those things, so when it is my turn, it'll be super-fantastic-al (yeah, that's made up). When I thought it was just me in the waiting line, I learned that it wasn't.

There are other people waiting and perfecting their dreams and goals as well. Another thing I do know: all of our turns exist. It's so tough remembering this sometimes especially when it's someone else's turn, but that doesn't mean we're supposed to stop working. I've grown impatient, cried tears of frustration, fell down and got back up, and been given the same test when I didn't pass it previously because I'd been doing something wrong, but discontinuing my mission is not going to happen. And that shouldn't happen for any of us. And if we can, we should help someone when they feel like discontinuing their mission... not only for the sake of their purpose, but because we've gotten so self-absorbed with ourselves as of late, numb due to tragedies, and taught to hate or hate on one another. There is so much potential among all of us... and tests, patience, hard work, and time are just some of the components of reaching and even surpassing our potential. Tests and waiting will get you. I mean, it can knock you to your knees-especially when you want what you've been working for like crazy-but we don't have to stay there.

I'm not even where I want to be yet, but my work and some of my accomplishments and awards I've received don't go completely unnoticed and that's enough to continue pursuing what I'm reaching for. So, to my people everywhere: my future clothing designer sister in Florida, my artists, my band friends in Florida, my future personal trainer in Alabama, my hard-workers in Georgia, my school sisters in Kentucky, my folks in Philly, North Carolina and South Carolina, my singer moving to New York, my overlooked (not for long) INDIANA HOOSIERS in my hometown that possess crazy talent, and everywhere else, I love that you're working for something and someone notices it. "If you're here, you're not finished."

Google Images

Bee Elae
4/13/2014

"Being Busy Bouts" 3/26/2014

     One of the most important (and uncomfortable) things I've learned during my stages of becoming a young, hardworking adult is that things change. Learning and accepting that has been one of the most challenging things for me. I'd held onto memories expecting them to make their way into my present with no changes-the same people, same relationships with friends and family, but a different time frame with all of us looking fancy as ever. The same laughs, same pranks, same amount of communication, same level of strength composed within our relationships of unity. I'd grown aware of the absence of friends and the realization of fake friends in middle school (definitely important to know as a woman lol), but I wasn't aware that family would change. My small world was nothing compared to the big world.

     No one is exempt if you really think about it. We grow up and grow busy, right? The problem with "being busy" is that we use it as an excuse for unnecessary things. For some time, I'd been the main communicator among  most of my friends and family: I texted everyone I'd cared for, called, messaged-whether it was a "Hey! hope you're doing well...ttyl" or an "I love you". I tried. ROUND ONE: The world won. I tried until I'd learned that "being busy" became the excuse for failing to communicate with family and friends. Then, I stopped. And not too long ago, I lost a relative that I'd been close with to suicide. ROUND TWO: Knockout... Guilt. Could my attempt to reach out have let him know he was not alone?

     I'm aware that things change and I'm certain there are people like me-yearning for the same memories and the same people while trying to keep in touch with everyone,but it's not going to happen and probably not the way you'd like it to. We become too busy with life as an adult, and forget how relevant it is to remind those that we love that we love them. Technology grants us easier means of communication...a text can be sent, Facebook, e-mail. a short video, and also (what's seemingly growing unpopular) a phone call. We could even go old school and write a letter. How hard is it? 

     Despite "fall-outs" among old friends, why not check on the friends that are still relevant to you? Same with family. And while learning you may not be of as much importance as they are to you, it shouldn't stop you from remembering the individuals that you are extremely relevant to. Someone told me "You should be able to tell someone you care about them", and that is so true-whether it's reciprocated or not. The realization is that we will not be here forever. When we're in the world, we're in the world and when our time is up, it's up...and we may not know when or how, so it's important to show your concern and love for those you care for and those who care for you before the opportunity is no longer there physically.

We are given certain people for certain reasons-whether it be for a season or a lifetime. Don't allow your relationships, love, concern, or acknowledgement of those to go unnoticed. ROUND THREE: It's a draw. Don't be "too busy" for the people you love.

With Realness,

Bee Elae

3/26/2014

" 'In God We Trust' and The Dollar Bill" @http://brikhousedelights.blogspot.com/

While surfing the Internet, I found this this image:

It's obviously an image made for Facebook-a subject screaming controversy, disagreements, and conflict-but this image is definitely "share" worthy. Why? Because within it lies thought and reevaluation. I inquire if individuals have resented the writings on this money we use everyday. Have we forgotten who and what is on the money we spend? Do we know the actual reasoning for the selected images, phrases, numbers, and designs on our money? The major controversial issue with "In God We Trust" is that God is not worshiped by everyone: there are individuals that practice and believe in other religions while other individuals have little to no belief in anything. This is understood from the "Land of the free" perspective.... BUT under a different perspective, I view and share this image solely out of respect. In reality, the majority of individuals have disrespected "In God We Trust"-from those that obtain dominance and power over the country to individuals simply infatuated with the dollar.

A multitude of figures possessing power (seemingly) do not base their decisions, actions, and routes to power and success on what we believe (according to The Holy Bible) is "God-like". Did they ask themselves "Is this what God would do?"or "Is what I'm doing related to my trust in God?" From an even deeper view...we (as in some of us) have grown to love money-enamored with its value and the power within it. Gluttony and greed spew from the mouths, souls, and hands of a multitude of individuals-both of which God (according to The Bible) is not even remotely fond of. Despite the saying "money is the root of all evil", I believe that to be true if allowed by the person...which would result in a nice amount of us being guilty. Was the money created by the hands of man or machines ran by the hands of man with God in their hearts? This is no religious blog by any means. I'm not striving to push my personal beliefs on anyone, but the image grants way to thought, and that is what I hope it will do for everyone! Also, what's interesting, is that some people seek more trust in man than in God. Has "In God We Trust" been disrespected? Have you considered or questioned the images and writings on your money? Are you guilty? If you're of another religion, are you bothered by it? Should it be removed due to the lack of respect or because it seems to exclude other religions? Is this subject even of relevance? Another random day of thinking. Let me know what you think.

With Realness,

Bee Elae
3/10/2014 8:22p.m.

"I'm A Barbie Girl..." 3/1/2014

While looking up the latest topics in the news, I seen an article dedicated to a "life-size Barbie" who is (according to the article) using her image to "promote spiritual ideas" (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/28/breatharian-barbie-valeria-lukyanova_n_4873706.html). Her goal, as addressed in the article, is to live solely off of air and water. After reading (let alone seeing) this article and knowing that it was considered relevant enough to receive global attention, I sat at my laptop and just stared at the screen. Her image and the title she'd given herself and had been given to her by society, didn't shock me; the idea that it is apart of the news did. I tried to figure out why it made the news: because of the practice the woman is partaking in? Because it's bizarre? To demonstrate how the ideal image continues to affect people-mainly women in places all over the world? After deciphering if I even believed this young lady existed, I clicked on her pictures in the article and reread the article again.

One of the major things that stood out that'd I'd overlooked the first time I read the article was that she is a model (where weight and image are a pretty big deal). The information I retrieved from the Internet about the young woman pertained to her modeling and, of course, being acknowledged as the "life-size Barbie". One of my initial ideas for the media covering this woman was to inform readers that something like "breatharianism" was practiced, but the idea that something about her image was the reason for coverage towered over information on breatharians. The awe of her image sparks interest but the idea that becoming or transforming into the well-known and (still) admired plastic Barbie doll could be the main reason for granting this woman a spot in the news. We "ooh" and "ahh" and "ewww" at her appearance, but it IS an eye-catcher. The article and this woman attracts viewers because of what she looks like. Because of possibility.

BUT, really, did you even consider the reason for coverage? Could the coverage over this woman exist to symbolize that the ability to be like Barbie is possible? Is it a form of advertisement screaming "Would you kill for Barbie? Want her perfect figure, hair, bust, and (slightly) less than completely flat rear with a slim waist? Wait no more! You, too, can be like Barbie!" Could breatharianism and this woman's "special diet" become more popular in other locations because of the possibility of the "Barbie figure" rather than its relation to religious or cultural practices? It's possible...because we are all still battling with the ideal image for women in certain regions where the "thinner" woman is accepted...but I haven't heard too much about Barbie since other figures are receiving admiration now. Ideas? Opinions? Reactions? Just random thought sharing...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/28/breatharian-barbie-valeria-lukyanova_n_4873706.html

http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edible-innovations/breatharian.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTyw8nJWNjQ

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/life-size-barbies-shocking-dimensions-photo-would-she-be-anorexic/

Google Image

With Realness,

Bee Elae
3/1/2014