I am glad to mention that many people out there still listen to music that I enjoy as well. On of my favorite is putting smiles on shareholders of Vivendi, namely Prince (or whatever name he is using now). Talented in both his writing and performance I think his impact in music has long gone underestimated. If you haven’t heard his music check out Delirious, Computer Blue, Bob James, Seven, and Nothing Compares (as sang by O’CONNOR). I think you’ll like it.
Vivendi should thank the gamers out there too. World of Warcraft was responsible for 18% of their revenues. It’s amazing to think that many people are online in the fantasy world, of which I am a part from time to time as well. MMO gaming continues to grow and I can’t wait for the next big thing, that is worth the time investment. D&D Online was a nice try but didn’t hit the mark like WOW has. But with Technology growing who knows what will be next. Online gaming is definitely not just for little nerds anymore.
Of course that does bring up the point that with the growth of the internet people are becoming more isolated from each other. Personal interaction seems to be becoming harder and harder to do I think. The backlash of more information available now is that we are losing a piece of ourselves. And that we lose perspective on how to best interact with each other. I think video games are the worst part of that formula. While I own a couple of systems and games, including the Playstation 3 I hope in the near future, I think the youth are hurt by them. I have observed many kids that do know what it is to just go outside and play because they are caught up in a game. That just isn’t health. And I see more and more parents using video games like some have used TV, as a babysitter. That is both sad and I don’t see how it will help raise productive children. The fault isn’t the games though. It’s the people and the choices they are making, in my opinion.
But in terms of other items that are disappointing there is always the stage performance of Ms. Julia Roberts. While I do applaud her attempt to work on the stage, which is something I think a lot of actors today should do to gain better skill and depth, it seems the reviews are just bad. I mean when the compliments are reflecting on her status of beauty and income from movies, that is not a good sign. Star power aside, I think the reviews mean she needs to do more work. And I have to ask why is she considered so beautiful? I mean she isn’t in my top 100 list of good looking female entertainers. I just don’t get it. I have never found her beautiful or attractive. Marilyn Monroe, Halle Berry, Anna Nicole Smith (young version), Allysa Millano, Kim Fields (during Livin’ Single days), the female love interest for Adam Sandler in the Waterboy (I forget her name), and others are in my preference sexy and attractive. [and would look great in one of my insribed T-shirts or other goods, blatant plug I know] Given my preference, when I compare the qualities, non acting just physical, of other attractive and popular actresses with Ms. Roberts I don’t see her matching up. Is it just corporate advertising or am I missing something there?
Of course one thing I am missing is how Mr. Pete Doherty has evaded serious jail time yet. In yet another bewildering denial of justice, Mr. Doherty was allowed to not face serious jail time [actually he has served none yet] for 7 charges of drug possession. If I as a Puerto Rican (Hispanic) Black African American, in England or the United States, were picked up with heroin, or cocaine and charged with drug possession I’d be in jail for quite some time. And that would be on the first offense. Of the multitude of Black African Americans and Hispanics in jail right now in the U.S., estimates are that 60-70% are drug related. In my personal experience, via friends and people I grew up with, first time drug charges lead to jail time of some sort 70+% of the time. Yet entertainers, of all races, get slaps on the wrists. Why? What part of entertaining includes the ability to flaunt the law? What aspect of being able to sing or dance or handle a ball provides a shield from the laws that everyone else must abide by? And what example does this give those children that look to go into those same industries? If a singer, or actor or athlete, can get caught with multiple different drugs on a repeated basis and released based on what amounts to their promise not to do it again (rehab and community service, maybe also a fine), how do we expect an artistic youth to not see that as their privilege too? How can we look at any child and say that they need to follow the laws when we allow our favored entertainers to boldly ignore them; and actively support those entertainers with records, videos, movies ticket sales, and trips to ball games with our children in tow. It’s absurd. I feel its time some of these artist should be treated like the common criminals they are acting like, regardless of what genre they are in or racial heritage they may possess. Either that or let the criminals get the same chance to promise not to do it again. At least then we’d be consistent.
This is what I think, what do you think.
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