MySpace vs Facebook

I think my MySpace days have come to an end.

When I first started a MySpace page about 2 years ago I was addicted. I was on there all the time, looking for old friends and keeping up with friends from home. It was very useful because instead of spending my days on the phone, I could check their MySpace page and see what they're up to or send them a quick note.

But now, my inbox is flooded with promotional messages, concert notices and notes from folks who use MySpace as a dating service. Here's an example of one I got just yesterday:

Give me the chance to starting a revolution with changing you life and mines with you. We can be like a puzzzle with a million of pieces that i'm putting together to bring a picture of us holding hands, is it possible i get to kno u better?

Huh?

A few months ago I joined Facebook and I love it. It's a lot more exclusive in the way that only people listed as your friends can look at your page or leave comments. It seems a lot simpler too. I haven't gotten any mail I didn't want and it's got a lot of cute, extra features.

Now I just have to talk some other folks that are on MySpace to switch to Facebook so I can have all of my friends in one place.

Any thoughts? Anyone out there prefer MySpace? Is there anyone else like me that made the switch?

Home goodies

On Saturday morning I set out for Nashville.

By Saturday evening I was eating all of my grandma's homemade cooking. It was good.

Late on Saturday night my best friend and I ate lots of homemade sweets while staying up late watching movies and talking.

On Sunday I went to my home church and went over my best friend's house to eat her mom's food. It wasn't ready when I got there but I promised to be back to eat the roast, cornbread, green beans and other goodies.

Later on Sunday I ate food at my great-grandmother's home in Springfield, Tenn., and at KFC.

I went to a party Sunday night and I ate (and drank) more.

Monday morning I ate for breakfast my grandmother's left overs from Sunday: baked chicken, turnip greens, sweet potatoes and bread. Delicious.

Monday afternoon I decided to eat at Krystal's a fast food chain similar to White Castle but it's not in Shreveport. I huffed my fries and burgers down. I had a piece of caramel cake to boot.

By Monday evening I was sick. Really sick.

I couldn't eat anything Monday night or all-day Tuesday. Not one morsel of food.

Here it is Wednesday and I've only been brave enough to drink water.

I guess this is my punishment for being piggish.

Dealing with deployment

So, the boyfriend left this morning for his 6-month deployment. Around noon he started on a series of flights that will eventually land him in Iraq.

It was kind of weird this morning when we said goodbye. It was very similar to any other morning that he’d leave for work except the hug lasted a little longer, I had tears in my eyes and we both knew that instead of him coming back at the end of the day, he won’t be back until the end of the year.

I’m really not handling it as well as I thought I would. I’ve been crying off and on since he left at 7:30 this morning. (Those that know me know that I’m EXTRA emotional...lol. It gets kind of ridiculous sometimes.) I really want to be the strong girlfriend that knows this separation is only temporary and is confident her boyfriend will be back in December, unharmed. But for some reason it's very hard for me to be that person right now.

But, I guess it may be too early to tell how I'll handle this since this is only the first day. I can only hope that it gets easier and I can be the person he needs me to be.

Still, December 17 can’t get here fast enough.

It's that time already?

The moment I checked my email and saw the subject line I cringed.
And the reaction surprised me just like it did before. It’s not like I didn’t see it coming. I mean it’s been 10 years. A whole DECADE since we tossed those caps and set out for the real world of college and adulthood.

But for some reason, my initial reaction is a cringe anytime I see or hear anything related to my high school class reunion. Which can’t be normal because I keep getting all these happy emails and myspace notices from former classmates anticipating the reunion.

Even the subject lines are all enthusiastic. I mean if subject lines like “Register at C/O ’97 Reunion Website” or “REUNION SUGGESTIONS” don’t sound bubbly, I don’t know what does. (Hey, don’t ask me how I can tell they’re bubbly because I wouldn’t be able to explain it. They just ARE.)

It started off like six months to a year ago with whispers. Well, OK, they weren’t whispers, more like questions that came every time I ran into a former classmate, which is crazy in itself because somehow I don’t run into them often. “Have you heard anything about a reunion yet?” they’d ask.
I’d shrug my shoulders and say “Nope, sure hadn’t.” And that’s when I noticed that what I was really thinking was “Nope, thank GAWD!”

I don’t even know why. I mean it’s not like I’m doing bad or anything. I mean, I’m not rich and famous, but at least I can check the “employed” box in a hypothetical survey. That automatically means you’re doing OK, right?

And it’s not like I had a scene from “Carrie” at my high school prom that I’m afraid of re-living or anything.

Heck, I’m still trying to figure out how a nerd like me even made it to prom – with an actual DATE!

I don’t know, maybe it’s because high school reminds me of such a different time in my life, as I’m sure it does for most folks who can even remember it.

I mean, thank goodness I wasn’t the geek that got “wedgies” everyday or got picked on or bullied.
As far as I know I was a pretty likeable nerd.

But I always felt like I found myself in college. That’s where I found my “bestest” friends. That’s where I had the most fun of my life, that’s where I set the foundation for my future career. That’s where I felt 100 percent comfortable being me because there were thousands others just like me. Or maybe not just like me, but all striving for the same goals: success. That’s just where I fit in. Where it all began for me.

And high school? Well, it was high school. I mean it was fun and I had friends, but you know how high school is.

Even if you were one of the chosen popular ones, you still remember. I mean who really wants to re-live adolescence and puberty and all that?

Nevertheless, even as I type this, I’m cringing. Still deciding if I want to go. Fortunately, I feel somewhat normal after running into some classmates who seem to cringe just like me.

At first I said “Absolutely not.” Then I started thinking
“Maybe I’ll consider it.” Now, I’m just at a “Hmmmm…I don’t know…” And anyone who knows me knows what that last phrase usually leads to …

But who knows…At least I still have about two months to decide.

Not all police news is bad

These businesses didn't get printed earlier in the week with the establishments and employees who were cited for underage alcohol sales, but I thought it would be nice to put them out there.

No, they're not as newsworthy. Why? Because people and businesses everywhere don't get in trouble on a daily basis. Doing what you're supposed to isn't that big of a deal. Maybe doing what you're supposed to do really well or better than everyone else like you is worth a note, though.

And, we usually don't get a list of people who don't get in trouble. This time we did, and here you go. Maybe these are places you frequent.

Businesses that were in compliance and refused to sell alcohol to underage operatives during Bossier City Police Department Vice Unit operation targeting underage alcohol sales:


1. Airline Citgo, 1995 Airline Dr.

2. Albertson’s, 3121 E. Texas St.

3. B.G.’s Lounge, 2262 Barksdale Blvd.

4. Buffalo Wild Wings, 375 Boardwalk Blvd.

5. Cascio’s Food Mart, 2252 Barksdale Blvd.

6. Circle K #8172, 4609 Shed Rd.

7. Circle K #8189, 4629 E. Texas St.

8. Circle K #875, 3226 Barksdale Blvd.

9. Cricket’s Bar, 1738 E. Texas St.

10. Texaco Day and Night, 3820 Industrial Dr.

11. D’Shay’s, 2704 Barksdale Blvd.

12. Diver Down (Harley’s Pub), 1835 Old Minden Rd.

13. Dana’s Food Store, 2051 E. Texas St.

14. Food Fast #90, 2494 Airline Dr.

15. Food Town, 1918 Benton Rd.

16. Gator’s Seafood Grill, 1903 #A Benton Rd.

17. Holiday Lanes/Ten Pens, 3316 Old Minden Rd.

18. Hub Lounge, 4340 E. Texas St.

19. J & A Stop and Go, 4200 Airline Dr.

20. Joe’s Place, 905 Barksdale Blvd.

21. Jubilee Food Express #1, 1300 Barksdale Blvd.

22. K.C.’s Good Times Bar, 3480Industrial Dr.

23. Locker Room Sports Bar, 3218 Barksdale Blvd.

24. One Eyed Jack’s, 1201 Dixie Overland Dr.

25. Pudge’s Bar, 2706 Barksdale Blvd.

26. Rack’em Sports Bar, 2248 Barksdale Blvd.

27. Rockin Rodeo, 1003 Gould Dr.

28. Shotz Lounge, 1426 Barksdale Blvd.

29. Texaco Day and Night, 1290 Barksdale Blvd.

30. Thrifty Liquor # 9, 3000 E. Texas St.

31. Thrifty Liquor # 14, 1806 Benton Rd.

32. Uncle Frank’s Dart Lounge, 4403 E. Texas St.

33. Valero Diamond Metro #4199, 2840 Airline Dr.

34. Wild Orchid Cabaret, 3735 E. Texas St.

(Source for list: Bossier City Police Department)

And now for the Paris Hilton spoof video

This had more than 505,000 hits just four hours after it was posted today on YouTube. Look and laugh for 2 minutes and 47 seconds.



And if funny isn't enough, check out the news from today.

Goodbye Dr. Burke

So it’s official: Grey’s Anatomy’s sexy, intellectual Dr. Preston Burke has been fired.

Or, technically, the actor that portrayed him, Isaiah Washington, was fired. And I’m sad.

When a friend of mind emailed me the news early this morning, I didn't want to believe it.

Of course, his termination comes as no huge surprise to G.A. fans, especially in light of all the controversy surrounding him and those infamous anti-gay slurs he made about fellow actor T.R. Knight (George O’Malley.)

And as much as I LOVE the character of Dr. Burke and have always respected the career of Washington, I had to side with right and admit he was just plain ol’ wrong for what he said.

And as with any wrong, I felt he had to suffer the consequences, whatever that may be. I mean what was he thinking?!

Unfortunately for me, I still LOVE the character of Dr. Burke, especially Washington’s portrayal. So, this latest news makes me sad.

In fact, I really think the true losers in this whole mess are the fans.

I mean, forget the war in Iraq, the presidential campaign or even the rising crime. The firing of Washington is a tragedy of epic proportions.

You have to be a true, hardcore GA fan to understand where I’m coming from. That show has some of the best writing, acting and on-screen chemistry on television.

As Barbara Streisand’s “The Way We Were” plays in my head …

I mean, they were like this wonderful, uniquely diverse family of hardworking, smart professionals dealing with everyday, real-life situations that anybody could relate to. The themes transcended race, religion and gender.

Like a United Colors of Bennetton ad brought to life.

And their portrayals are so real and gripping that I swear sometimes you’re literally on the edge of your seat, bawling your eyes out or laughing your behind off, or curled up in a ball of anticipation at the end of each episode.

So that makes Washington’s departure something akin to the loss of a loved one or something. Well, in TV land anyway.

I’m wondering now if they're gonna replace him or just let the character go. I mean, I love Shonda Rhimes and I think her writing is just phenomenal, but I don’t want a replacement. That’s like adding insult to injury.

Right now, I just can’t even see how the show will be the same. Especially will all those loose ends that left us hanging in the season finale. I mean what’s gonna happen now? Oh lawd is the end near?

GA fans are y’all feeling me? What do y’all think Shonda should do or should have done?

Go back to jail!

Seriously, why is Paris Hilton not spending all of her time in jail?

Her sentence was already reduced. Being released for medical reasons is ridiculous.

She knew what she was doing by driving on a suspended license. She knew what she was doing when she was pulled over for driving recklessly (translation: driving drunk). She should have spent time in jail then.

So now she's confined to her house for the next 40 days. I wish I could be locked in a mansion with a wait staff for that long.

All of these people who get off the hook by complaining are beginning to make me sick. If you do something wrong you should have to suffer the consequence.

If I were in the same type of trouble as Paris, I think I'd probably still be in jail.

Veggies everywhere!

I love the idea of the Farmers' Market. Tons of fresh vegetables and fruit for relatively cheap prices. Automatically, I start feeling healthier.

Then I get there, and unfortunately, the market here sells things in already set, fairly large quantities, instead of by the pound or the piece. That's great for a family of four. It's a little tough when it's just me -- or even me and the boyfriend. One zucchini is all I need for dinner - but I now have six.

So, like Bubba from Forrest Gump, I'm trying to figure out my options: zucchini bread, zucchini and pasta, fried, grilled...

I'll keep going back to the market, hoping the vendors will invest in scales. In the meantime, my vegetable repertoire is expanding rapidly. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm happy to hear them!

This makes a reporter want to go back to summer camp

I really had fun on the job Monday because I got to tromp around in the woods with a bunch of kids. Don't get me wrong: This doesn't mean I don't like my job most days, but it's nice to have a little variety.

Usually I cover crime, but on this particular day I got to write about the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Camp, which is like Boy Scout camp for non-Boy Scouts. My article should appear in tomorrow's (Wednesday's) paper.

But being out in the summer heat, hearing about shooting a bow and arrow and watching as campers swam in a lake brought back memories of week-long stints with the 4-H Club or the First Baptist Church in Doyline. (I didn't necessarily do all of those activities at the same camp.) It was always exciting not to be in school and to do something totally different from the normal routine.

I have to say it was also nice to talk to people who were not victims of crime and aren't quite as jaded as some of us adults can be. These boys were all about having fun, avoiding spiders and trying to get back at the groups that had trashed their tents. You know, there always seems to be someone who wants to use toilet paper and toothpaste on anything but body parts at these kind of things. But that's all part of the experience, right?

Enjoy a few images I captured at the camp at Garland Scout Ranch in Stonewall. Maybe they'll help take us all back to those good times.

Dwight Shields, 12, of Shreveport, tests the water before hopping in.

Shreveporters Julio Hernandez, 13, and Trey Gipson, 12, swim toward a pier.

Lifeguard Chris Ortiz, 18, holds up 11-year-old Michael Cooper II and tells him to kick during a short swimming lesson.

Bossier City resident Kolton Williams, 12, flexes after swimming to a floating dock.

How 'bout this...

Just when you thought you were out of excuses for calling in sick, in comes a batch of new ones.

Not feeling your best lately? It could be your computer.

Ok, I’m not making light of the situation. I know these are probably very real illnesses that really can affect folks in a bad kinda way.

Shoot, I’m hoping I haven’t jinxed myself just by poking fun at it.

But come on … You have to admit those are some pretty convenient, creative excuses don’t you think? Has anybody heard of or actually suffered from any of these?

Bad service

I will admit, I can be easily agitated at times. I think I'm generally understanding and easy going, but I, like everyone else, have my moments. And I had one Memorial Day evening.


A few of my co-workers and I took a job candidate to dinner at a steak-oriented chain restaurant in Bossier City (I'll be nice and I won't say exactly where, but I'm sure you can figure it out). Since I was working that evening and already had a refrigerator filled with leftovers, I decided I would just get a nice bowl of potato soup.


We were seated, and since it was a group of six people, it took a while for everyone to make their entree choices, but soon enough, we were settled in. That's where the problems began. We didn't have a particularly good waiter. Not particularly bad either, but certainly not one of the best. It was difficult, at best, to get his attention and our table went bread-less and drink-less for more than a few minutes, but we made due and didn't make too much of a fuss over it.


At the end of meal, everyone got their checks. Into the little check-credit card holder thingamabob, I slipped at $10 bill to settle up my $4.35 tab. What I got back was a $5 bill -- that's it. The waiter had kept my 65 cents! I would've just asked him for it (not that I should need to considering it's my money) but I had to go back to work. But what he did really, REALLY aggravated me and I remembered his name, so I wrote him a note basically saying that I didn't appreciate what he did and had he not done that, he would have gotten a slightly better tip.

Later that evening, I wondered if maybe I had overreacted. I've never been a waitress, so I can't speak from experience, but on some of my other jobs I would never think to keep someone's change for any reason. And wouldn't it be to a waiter's advantage to give someone all their change, and to give it in a manner where leaving a tip wouldn't be difficult. (Even if had wanted to give him a dollar, I would've had to wait for him to break my $5 bill.)

I would really like to hear from some folks with personal experience. Did I handle this situation OK?

The wait: a true reporter's complaint

Man I was tired last night -- not unlike many other hard workers out there. But I think the weariness was a little different from usual, and it certainly was not because of running all over town to track down shootings and stabbings.

It's because I had to sit and wait. And reporter's just don't like to do that.

Big news of the day: Mayor Cedric Glover named Col. Henry Whitehorn as his choice for Shreveport's next police chief. But the announcement was delayed for longer than we (The Times and other local media practitioners) had imagined.

Reporters and photographers from most of the local TV and radio stations and no less than three Times staffers showed up at a 3 p.m. press conference at the mayor's office where the city's 14 summer interns were introduced. I felt a little sorry for these college students because it became pretty evident that most of us weren't there to hype them up. Only two reporters (including myself) asked any questions about their internships.

The third reporter's question asked when the day's major announcement would come. Glover kept it vague with "today."

It happened about five hours later. The majority of us camped outside the mayor's office until about 6 p.m., when they advised us of the nighttime press conference.

There, the same reporter mentioned earlier asked about the lag. The mayor, ever the wordsmith, slyly shot back: "We work very long hours here at the Glover administration."

I held my gripe for the most part until I pulled the mayor off to the side. I'm sure Glover wasn't thinking I'd come to this conclusion from our conversation, but here goes: We humans (and sometimes journalists particularly) can be seriously self-centered. It seemed our focus was on how inconvenient it was for us to have to wait on information to present to the public.

What we may have overlooked was that the mayor was calling the 17 chief applicants who didn't make the final cut.

"I wanted them to hear it from me... and not somebody else," Glover told me.

Now I'm in this business that prides itself on being a bastion of free speech, so I love being the vehicle for important information. But I think I probably would have appreciated that call from the boss that was turning me down.

Of course the mayor also had to wait for Whitehorn to drive up from Baton Rouge, where he was sitting through the Legislature's tedious appropriations process. I guess he could've walked out of the Capitol, but then we reporters would've complained about that, too.

We weren't the only folks waiting and asking. I know Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator bugged the mayor's staffers, too. He said he told them he had "a vested interest" in the person who was chose, but apparently that didn't work either.

Couldn't they have just set a time later in the day and told us to show up? The Legislature's schedule can be unpredictable, I know, but they wouldn't have had to told us why it was so late. We would've asked why, of course.

I suppose the lesson to us all, sheriffs and reporters alike, is that sometimes you just have to wait for it.

But I think we'll probably still complain. How else would we come up with stories to tell?

Where are the young people?

The state is loosing its children by the thousands, according to this story.

Louisiana has 129,798 fewer residents under age of 18 than it did in 2000.

And the number of women ages 18 to 44 has fallen by 10 percent since 2000--that's a loss of 96, 145 young women. That means that state lost a lot of women who are in their child-bearing years--if they aren't here they can't have kids to make our state, populous right?

Right.

Experts say that some of this is due to the hurricanes, about 60,000 women left in the year after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

To top it all off, the state is gaining residents 65 and over.

Wow.

Maybe this explains why little old men always try to talk to me in grocery stores.

Highlight of the day

Just thought I'd share a little bit of my bliss with y'all.

Today, as I was driving down Bert Kouns I saw the light...yellow sign that bought a smile to my face.

Unleaded: 2.94

Yes! Gas prices are starting to decline. Or are they?

I just hope when I need to get gas later in the week prices haven't sky rocketed back to $3.09.

This weekend a bunch of us talked about gas prices and possible alternatives. (We crossed out riding bikes to work with summer heat right around the corner.)

What about you? Any changes to your driving habits?

As much as people (media) ask that question, I really don't find myself changing how much I drive.

I may change that if gas gets to $4 or more...

The final frontier: The conclusion

Well, it was hard, but I finally did it.

I finally mustered up enough courage (and money) to boldly step into the new millennium and catch up with all of my hip peers.

I finally bought an mp3 player. And not only did I do that, but I got a new system for my car and for my home. After nearly two years, I’ve finally welcomed back a lifelong friend that had been gone for far too long: my music!

As some of you may recall I’d pretty much gotten fed up and surrendered to the advanced technology that has practically eradicated “ancient” conventions such as the cassette player and the cd player. I fought change for as long as I could, but having radio as my only music option just wasn’t getting it.

And thanks to some of you guys and a few friends, I finally settled on the Apple iPod as my mp3 player of choice. But it would be another two or three weeks before I finally got the nerve to just go on and buy the darn thing.

When it comes to change y’all, I’m like an old woman. It’s just hard to let go, not only in terms of “antiquated” music devices, but of the cash that such upgrades tend to require.

But I’d done tons of research and saved my money for a long, long time and it was set aside for this moment. And in my mind, this major purchase was a major investment - one I hope to not have to make again for at LEAST the next five years. So I got up Saturday morning, prepped my mind for the task ahead and boldly marched into that Best Buy store.

I had one last moment of hesitation as I pondered over purchasing the new system and iPod adapter for my car. However, thanks to the patient, but friendly nudging of a sales associate named Chris B. (Yeah, I know that’s their JOB! I wasn’t a sucker.) I went ahead and executed my plan and automatically felt like someone put the Technicolor back in my life!
I’m giddy like a kid on Christmas morning who just unwrapped a new favorite toy.

Well, actually, I’m almost overwhelmed with all of these new options. Turns out I was wise to go for the 30-gig iPod because I had a little over 1,300 songs already and I still have plenty more CDs to put on there.

Shoot, that’s a lot of options to sift through too, so of course I still have some things to learn about creating playlists and such.

But hey, the way I see it, I’m finally here, walking around in the 21st century of music technology so I might as well enjoy the trip.

Any tips on accessories I might want to consider, creating or organizing playlists, listening to iPod music on car audio or home stereo? Or anything else?

Here's a pic of the kinda iPod I now own (It looks JUST like this, color and all.)

More Mudbug Madness

I hope you're not getting tired of this stuff. But how could you? This is a fun festival. You can read more weekend coverage in Sunday's paper, and you can check out these photos I took this evening.

The stars of the show.

Looking down from the Spring Street Bridge.

What Louisiana festival would be complete without some dancing?

Ah, the beeramid.

Another crowd shot.

And even a photographer needs her picture taken now and then.

Farewell to Mike the Tiger

I know it's been a week since LSU's live tiger mascot Mike V died, but I actually visited his habitat yesterday. Of course, he wasn't my personal pet, but seeing his empty place got me to thinking.

Yes, he was an animal, but his existence and passing were obviously big deals. I was in Nashville, Tenn., when news got out that he was dead, and I immediately got five text messages from other LSU Tiger fans. They were punctuated with :( emoticons and omgs.

The death definitely made me a little sad, but for more than one reason. Having a tiger is controversial, and I can see more than one aspect in the arguments.

Yes, Mike V was special to me. (I'm sure Mike the VI and however many others I see also will be special.) I graduated from LSU. Meeting near his cage was a sort of tradition for a lot of my friends before football games. I guess it was a little silly, because several thousand other excited football fans also met there. I even have friends who say they happened to be near the cage when his trainers were working with him and that they got close enough to touch him. (I never saw this myself, though.)

Anytime one of my friends from another college came to visit, I'd take them to see Mike. The kid I tutored at a Baton Rouge elementary school always asked me about Mike. The big cat was fascinating, so it's a little disheartening to know a bit of tradition is gone.

Then, I can actually kind of see why animal rights activists get upset. Yes, he was a tiger that is supposed to be able to stalk his prey. I'm not zoologist, but I thought his back legs looked bit scrawny for a cat his size. I know he didn't get to run much, even in his $3 million habitat built just a few years ago.

I admit I enjoyed hearing him roar when he was pulled around Tiger Stadium in his mobile cage, but I also wanted to know exactly what was making him holler. Popular legend says only the Mike the Tiger suit (with a person inside) could rile him up. But I can't help but wonder if it was just a quick poke that wasn't visible from the student section. In my mind I imagined Saturday night in Death Valley as slightly similar to being a Roman watching wild animal hunts--obviously minus the blood and guts. And Christians being eaten by lions. So those mental images are gloomy, too.

But according to LSU Chancellor Sean O'Keefe and others, this Mike and three previous tigers lived longer than most wild tigers. So who knows? In some ways this tiger led a charmed live. But could it have been better elsewhere?

I guess even some of the best things in life are disputable. How do you argue with yourself? I'm not sure how to win.

RIP Mike, 1990-2007.

(Thanks to Times photographer Jim Hudelson for the September 2000 file photo.)

Soulless food

Call me soulless. Call me unrefined. You can even call me mindless.

But here's the reason I love getting food from places like Applebee's, which is believed to be the largest chain of casual-dining restaurants in the country:

Last night, after an unusually long work day, I found myself hungry and wanting to chow down in front of my TV at about 10:20 p.m. Well, that doesn't leave many options for anyone who lives in the Shreveport-Bossier area, does it?

So, I put in a to-go order from the Applebee's on Airline Drive and got to the restaurant within a few minutes. My food was already waiting on me. Since I eat from there so often, I didn't even bother to check the to-go bag.

Well, I got home and realized they totally got my order wrong. I'm on a bit of a health kick, so imagine my disdain when I opened up the container and saw some sort of breaded chicken, cheese and lettuce in a soft tortilla wrap. There was Thousand Island dressing on the side.

But I was too hungry to worry about all that. Within minutes, the container was empty and I was full.

That's the point: I have no idea what dish I ordered from Applebee's. I've never ordered it before. I probably won't order it again. But it was good and reasonably priced. And I didn't even ask for it.

That's a great restaurant, if you ask me.

Leaving Flav and the girls alone

When the VH-1 reality series Flavor of Love appeared in 2005 I was very excited.

I love everything about Flava Flav and his dramatic, eccentric ways. I enjoyed seeing him on television because I thought he was funny. And I became a loyal watcher on Sunday nights.

Flavor of Love was to be a show where the former rapper could find a girlfriend. It was similar to The Bachelor, except without all the nice people and class. Flav's show was like him: out of control.

I loved it.

After he was jilted by the woman he chose, VH-1 aired another season of my newfound favorite show. I had doubts it would top the first season but I gave it a shot anyway. It was way better than I expected. So much better that I hosted Flavor of Love viewing parties at my apartment. One of my former editors even gave me a framed portrait of his face.

I mean, I'd never try to be on his show. I would NEVER degrade myself in that manner but I didn't mind watching others look foolish.

Since then two other shows have spawn from Flavor of Love: I Love New York, a bacherlorette-esque show that Tiffany Pollard was given after being ditched by Flav on two seasons of Flav's show, and The Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School, which stars comedian/actress Monique and takes girls from both seasons of the original reality show to make them compete for $50,000.

I became a loyal fan of the I Love New York show. I watched because I saw the pain on her face when she was humiliated by Flavor Flav twice when he decided to choose another girl over her. I watched her show because a big part of me wanted her to find a love of her own.

Then she was dumped again. This time by a man of her own choosing. And the world watched as she cried. Now the search continues to find her a mate. Viewers can even cast votes for who they think should be on the show.

I'm not watching. I'm tired.

But the Charm School program takes the cake. I've watched all the episodes thus far and I am not entertained. I'm ashamed.

I'm ashamed that I even thought this type of television programming was funny and I'm even more ashamed that these girls are exploiting themselves for such a small amount of money.

What brought me to this conclusion was watching this Monday's episode of Charm School. I'm done. I can not digest anymore foolishness. I've reached my breaking point.

Those shows will no longer have my eyes. I'm putting my picture of Flava Flav in the closet.

I'm so over it.

Are ya'll?