Evelyn Lozada: Beautiful Liar

Tonight's episode of Basketball Wives was part two of the reunion. Evelyn and Jennifer took polygraphs but I won't start out writing about that as I want to save the best for last.

First, congratulations to Royce on her successful acting debut. I missed the whole Twitter debacle with Dezmon. Do what's best for you. Next...

When she is not being yelled at and cursed out, it appears that Kesha can indeed speak up for herself. I don't think she and Tami will be friends any time soon. Such is life. I still think Tami is cool peeps. My opinion. I'm entitled. Moving on...

As usual, Suzie got jumped on for running back telling something somebody said. She denies it. I don't remember that scene and I don't care. Suzie, give us something to talk about, girl.

Lots of tears tonight. Shaunie, there's really no reason for you to feel guilty. Yes, you invited the women to join you on the show. No, you are not responsible for them acting up. However, let's not be so quick to call some fans "judgmental". I like "highly opinionated" better. Fans get invested in watching the drama unfold between the ladies they like and the ones they like to hate. Face the facts, fans are not the ones in front of the cameras airing their business and they are not the ones behind the cameras taping it or the ones doing the editing and deciding what to show and how to portray you all. So, to put down the viewers as if they don't realize that it's just mindless entertainment is a bit wrong. And you all don't make it seem any less true when you continue to address your spats in blogs, via twitter, and in interviews. You can't put it all off on the fans as being too judgmental or having too much time on their hands. No one can peek in your window if you close the curtains. But I'm glad you're leaving them open for season five! Seriously, Shaunie, you can't control the other women's behavior, hence your pastor's advice... come up to the mountain and leave the ones who want to stay there in the valley.

Jennifer's polygraph results determined that she was untruthful when she answered "no" to the question of whether she was jealous of Evelyn's relationship with Chad. It happens, Jen. You have to fall back when your single friend gets a man in her life. At least you were able to admit that you miss your friendship. That was key in being able to move forward and repair things.

Now, on to the woman I am calling a beautiful liar... Evelyn Lozada. When asked if she missed her friendship with Jen, Eve tried to be hard (one assumes) and answered "no". It was determined to be a lie. What's beautiful about that? Nothing. But, when John Salley reached for her hand to get her on her feet and over to Jen for a hug, she did not hesitate to rise to the occasion. Jennifer was reluctant (John can be heard saying, "You better get yo ass up?") and stood motionless when she did stand. Stay with me 'cause the beautiful part is coming right now! Evelyn stretched out open arms to Jen and pulled her close for a hug, tears falling. It was a beautiful thing, a precious moment, if you will. In my estimation, that was the best part of the entire two part reunion. Even after Jen said to Evelyn, "I don't want to do this here", Evelyn explained her actions and expressed her regret. And that, Basketball Wives fans, is why I named her Beautiful Liar.

Almost made me tear up. Almost.

Best of luck with piecing your friendships together ladies (all of you)!!!

Congratulations on 25 Years of Your Best Work, Dee!

To my dear friend, Dee,

You must have done something right for IBM to keep you
around for 25 years! I commissioned this poem just for you.

Love,
Connie E. Lewis


Congratulations on 25 Years of Your Best Work, Dee!

You’ve given 25 years of dedicated service to IBM
This is truly a milestone in your stellar career
IBM is commemorating your achievement with your induction to the
Quarter Century Club
Debora “Dee” Carey, it couldn’t happen to a better person, my friend
so dear

As an exemplary employee, you set standards others strive to attain
Always on time, attentive to your duties and giving more than is required
You’re enthusiastic about your work and it shows
Dee, your career has been brilliant… absolutely inspired

But to me, your best work has been rendered as a God-fearing yet
fearless warrior for God, a devoted mother and a true friend
That is what has impressed me the most, I must say
So witty, funny, pleasant and caring, you bring joy to our lives
As you continue with your career and move forward in life may God
grant you divine favor, blessings and peace each day


Sunida E.York ©2008 All Rights Reserved

What Soothes Your Soul?

A really good friend of mine called me because she had come to the end of a surprisingly dreadful day and she needed to talk. Butter Bean, as she is affectionately called by some of her friends, was more upset than I had ever known her to be. She was not the type to be rattled easily, so I listened intently to her recount of the day's events leading up to her despair.

The next day, I called her just to check on her mood. I was hoping that a good night's rest had lulled her back into the calm place I was so used to finding her. As soon as she answered the phone, I knew that I had hoped in vain. This time, I decided that I would be the force that would lift the burdens that had recently attached themselves to her shoulders. So, after listening to her for about fifteen minutes, I began making silly jokes. She didn't laugh. I allowed her to talk and pout and sigh. In the spaces between the talking, pouting, and sighing, I threw in a downright stupid comment and a nervous giggle. I had every right to be nervous because she still didn't laugh. The Butter Bean I knew had been chased into a hole and she wasn't coming out.

By day three, I was not looking forward to calling her because I just did not know what to say. Sometimes just listening works but I instinctively knew that this was not one of those times. No way! Butter Bean needed a jolt to shock her back into her usual jovial self. Undaunted by the fact that I had no clue as to what would accomplish that, I dialed her number. As the phone started ringing, a silly little ditty suddenly formed in my mind. When she answered, I broke into song.

Butter Bean, Butter Bean! Why do you have to be so mean?
Butter Bean, Butter Bean! Why do you have to be so mean?
You know that man was just looking out...
But you had to scream and shout.
Butter Bean, Butter Bbean! Don't cha be so mean!
Whoa, Butter Bean! Don't be so mean!


She was really quiet the whole minute that it took me to get that out so I thought that I had failed again. But as my voice trailed off, I heard a familiar sound. It was a chuckle. I had done it! Butter Bean was laughing! She said, "You'd better write that one down." We shared a few more laughs that evening. She reminded me to write the silly ditty down one more time before we hung up. Butter Bean knew that if I didn't, I'd forget it. I still forgot, but the lines above are what I can remember.

It really didn't matter what I sang. The point is that music was the one thing that soothed her soul. I should have known that since it has always been the thing to make me feel better no matter what had put me in a foul mood. The genre doesn't matter and I could care less who's singing it as long as I like it. Let me make it clear that I am a terminally devoted Patti LaBelle fan but I listen to a wide variety of others. So far, no one has come up with a song that I like to blast when I'm in a bad mood better than "Victory" by Yolanda Adams. After all, one can't go wrong when you have "the victory in Jesus."

What soothes your soul when life has unexpectedly dealt you a difficult hand to play? Maybe it's a day at a spa, a long walk, getting lost in a good book, a long soak in a hot tub with a glass of wine or a drive along a scenic route. Whatever it is, as long as it works for you without adding to your problems and it is not detrimental to your health, indulge yourself! I'm pretty sure that it will always be music that does it for me.

Be blessed!