HAPPY 18th B(EARTH) DAY DEVIN LORENZO "YUNG SPITTA" MILLENER

Being a mother has been the best experience of my life. My children are my world..the reason for my very being, happiness and yes, sometimes, my strife.

But the day you were born was more spectacular than most. It was the year Jordan faced Barkley and sad for them, the Suns lost.

My uncle "Mutt" had died and my parents were in Louisiana. In labor I waited three hours for their return, perming my hair and eating several bananas.

Mrs. Walters was with me and so were your god mom and dad. They kept me calm, made me laugh..easiest labor pains I ever had.

On the way to the hospital, I focused on the game. I loved my first son so much how could I possibly love you the same?

But when you freed yourself from my womb, immediately your smile at me, let me know I could love you too.

And since that day, you've never disappointed. I love all my children, but you're the one anointed: with artistry and dare, with humbleness and care. Your smile is contagious, your energy amazing and definitely your thoughts are outrageous!

I hope I've lived up to your standards. I hope you don't regret choosing me as your parent. I've given you my heart, your heart bears my soul. You're 18 now, I hope I've taught you enough life lessons to last until you're old.

Enjoy this day. You're now a grown man. Keep moving forward. I love you and if you ever need me, reach back, you'll feel my hand.

HAPPY B(EARTH) DAY! MAMA...

The Time Is Now!

The Dallas Mavericks didn't let the Miami Heat beat them and their fans didn't let the Dallas heat beat them. I don't need to mention the details about the celebratory parade. The broadcast, radio and Internet news and sports stations have probably done that to death and will continue to do so for weeks to come.

There's nothing new I can report about the heat, the number of fans, the activities or the excitement of the parade. Today was an emotional, memorable day that will last for decades in the minds of the players, fans, coaches and powers that be. Even the "haters" didn't disappoint. On Facebook, I saw a post of a rising rapper who posted that he's tired of "seeing Mavs shirts." What if those were shirts promoting the release of his CD . . . I'm just saying.

Nevertheless, the confetti has fallen, the streets have been cleared, the lights in the American Airlines Center have been dimmed. It was simply a pleasure being a part of it all.

A funny thing though: whether you're a Mavericks fan or not, it appears that everyone on the Planet is elated for the Dallas Mavericks franchise. They are especially ecstatic for Kidd, the Jet and Dirk - the "old guys" by athletics standards - for finally making it to the top, and not only validating their skill as a team, but solidifying their place among champions.

Well done and Happy B(earth) Day Dirk. The Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy...what a great present!

PS-Where were the Mavs dancers?! Did I miss them? Didn't see them much at all.

Beyonce' Runs the World, Girls

Since she began her career, there has been much debate about Beyonce's talent. I won't even touch on that because anyone that questions her innate skill is clearly doing their job. Hatin'.

What I want to address is a conversation I had recently with another writer who questioned her integrity as a role model for girls with her new cut and vid, "Run the World (Girls)." My writer-friend believes that Beyonce is lowering her standards by performing rather angrily in scantily-clad outfits and influencing "divaness" as the key to success.

On the contrary. Brilliantly, Beyonce is meeting young girls where they are. Today, young girls are aggressive, overly sexy and they curse like sailors. This song is a movement that speaks directly to Gen X girls and a lot of grown women today. Her message is a definitive challenge for girls to change their perception of what diva or tough means and go out and get degrees, have successful careers and let men be an accessory to you, not crutches to lean on for finances or to define their very being.

On their level, where they are, Beyonce tells girls that they have power, and to use that power in a way that it uplifts and glorifies them rather than diminishes them. When Beyonce says, "Make your check come at they neck," she's encouraging girls and women to break through glass ceilings and be on equal playing fields with men in their careers.

When she sings, "Boy you know you love it/How we're smart enough to make these millions/Strong enough to bare the children/Then get back to business," her energy is just as symbolic as her message to girls and women that men are more attracted to women who show strength and capability instead of those who show neediness and weakness and lose site of their identity.

For ages, women have been pillars of strength. Today, however, girls and grown women are allowing themselves to be defined by societal standards, or limitations, and have all but lost their sense of self. Uniquely, Beyonce has found a way to decipher the mindsets of most young girls and women today and translate encouragement in a language that is relevant to them, now. The girl is fierce!

In-Yo-Face Beyonce Billboard Awards Performance 2011

I've been so busy with writing projects that I have not been updating my blog regularly like I should. But soon. Later this week, Beyonce is next. I am so sick and tired of people discounting this woman's brilliance and innate talent! I need to make a point!

Stay tuned...


In the meantime, enjoy this dynamic in-yo-face performance by the multi-skilled Beyonce!

YouTube, Others Ban Rihanna Video

Eleven countries join YouTube in Rihanna’s “S&M”video ban, yet some fans, including Perez Hilton, do not understand why people are getting in a tizzy about sex.

“It’s something that everyone does and yet people are embarrassed about it. You’d think she was showing her crotch in the video or something the way people are reacting.”

Her fans—or at least that one—is confused about what the real issue is. The problem is not sex at all, but Rihanna’s hypocrisy.

Last year, in a live interview with Diane Sawyer, Rihanna went on national television to set the record straight.

“I just didn’t realize how much of an impact I had on these girls’ lives until that happened.”

In 2006, Rihanna founded The BELIEVE Foundation. A foundation purportedly developed to inspire and protect children in need all over the world.

“Rihanna recognized the only way to secure the future of our world is to ensure the health and well-being of our future leaders.”

So, exactly what kind of an impact and security does she BELIEVE posing half naked on the cover of magazines and simulating sex on videos will have on the well-being of “these girls,” “our future leaders?”

To be clear, Rihanna does not want little girls to be victims of domestic violence, but she would rather have little girls all over the world, imitating you, throwing sex all over the place like candy from a float in a parade?

I’m guessing if that’s okay, in their impressionable minds, domestic violence would be okay as well. Just glamour it up . . . with someone else’s work, which by the way, is the topic of a lawsuit against Rihanna by famous fashion and celebrity photographer, David LaChapelle.

LaChapelle claims that images the pop star used in the S&M video are copies of his works. Sexting, banned videos, sexual innuendos, half-naked magazine covers. Piracy. Why not Rihanna?

delmetria millener is a freelance writer based in Texas. People keep hiring her so she must be "aight." Contact delmetria at thawriter@thawriter.biz.

Get Active. Go Green! in Texas

Texas is making improvements toward sustainability all over the state in education, energy and the environment. Are you doing your part? Get Active. Go Green!

Education

Beginning in January, 2011, the University of Texas at Arlington will offer a Master of Science in Sustainability program in its downtown Dallas location. The one year, 36-hour program, targeted to attorneys, architects, government employees and educators, will focus on the green building (LEED) project, the Energy Star program and high-density development. Full story at UTA.

Environmental

Through a partnership between the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the University of North Texas in Arlington, four air quality monitors will be installed in North Texas to check for pollution from gas drilling. Full story at TCEQ.

Energy

According to a recent report by the Dallas Morning News, electricity prices across Texas are finally below the national average. Now, you can shop for less expensive energy! Full story at Power to Choose.

Get Active. Go Green! with delmetria millener, a freelance writer based in Texas. Contact her at thawriter@thawriter.biz.

Heal Holiday Depression, Naturally

The holiday season is a time of love and happiness, joy and peace—a joining of family and friends, eating, celebration and sharing. However, for some people it can also be a time of depression and desolation. People who suffer from what experts refer to as "holiday depression" battle during the holidays with financial burdens, loneliness, unrealistic expectations, stress, fatigue, nostalgia, anxiety and other psychological factors.

But there are cures—natural cures—that not only help heal holiday depression, but prevent the disorder from returning each year. These natural remedies can also be used throughout the year anytime stress, anxiety or depression becomes an issue. These remedies are easy to pull off and do not require much preparation or activity.

To start, make sure you are eating an abundance of colorful, fresh fruits and vegetables and drinking lemon and water. The sour flavor helps activate the liver which promotes natural healing. Be sure to include green, leafy vegetables like as a nice, big salad with olive oil dressing and drink plenty of water. A spinach salad with walnuts sounds great right about now!

Getting through holiday depression doesn’t stop with what you eat. How you dress, your activities and thought process can also play a part in your high or low mood. To that end, wear bright colors when the weather’s gloomy, volunteer and ease into the holidays with thoughts of helping and hearing other people’s stories—good or bad—because it will allow you to see how valuable your contributions are and that your situation is not always as bad as you think.

During the holidays, depending on your geography, the weather is cool and breezy. So, whenever you can, get outside and take a walk or run. Breathe deeply so the fresh air can generate more oxygen to clear your head.

One thing we all need to do is minimize expectations of family and friends, to avoid unnecessary stress and intensity. Realize that the season is not about what fits your family’s or friends’ image of you and how you’re living. Trying too hard to please or convince your family and friends that you “fit” in some category or image that they have of you can rapidly spiral you into depression

The holidays are the perfect season to catch up on your rest. Getting enough sleep is critical to ending holiday depression because when you’re awake many hours, the liver cannot regenerate like it’s designed to do during late hours.

By all means, avoid consuming too much sugar, refined carbohydrates and empty calorie snacks. Instead, snack on raw vegetables or eat healthy foods you have at home before going to a party so you won’t feel obligated to pile up on energy zapping foods.

Finally, herbs are also a natural way to heal depression. St. John’s Wart and lemon balm are just two of the hundreds of natural, already prepared products that will help restore your energy. A visit to your local, natural food store can help you find out what’s available.

Other Tips:

• Take a warm shower with a cold rinse
• Get lots of natural light
• Laugh a lot to produce hormones that lift your mood
• Exercise
• Plan for next year
• Write out at least 10 things you will accomplish in the new year; share with friends or family

Get Active. Go Green! with delmetria millener, a freelance writer based in Texas. Contact her at thawriter@thawriter.biz.