What’s Going On With Janet Jackson?

My goodness,it is amazing how fast things change. Janet Jackson is so talented, intelligent, sultry, and vivacious. I love Janet Jackson and I will always be a fan. I do wonder why the media is still so anti Janet Jackson? Janet Jackson is an icon but she’s also a Jackson. Janet is also Michael Jackson’s younger sister.

The North American media attitude against Janet Jackson is deleterious. Since the Super Bowl incident Janet’s music career hasn’t been the same she has been punished. For instance, Janet has been banned from pop radio. An artist needs radio to reach specific demographics. The Jacksons are a legendary family. Now you have white artists such as Justin Timberlake copying Michael Jackson’s sound, dance moves, and image. Britney Spears has admitted Janet is one of her idols she mimics Janet all the time. Beyonce, Ciara, Rihanna, Jessica Simpson, Christina Aguilera, have all copied Janet Jackson.

I hope Island Records gives Janet a second single and video at least. Janet deserves a chance to shine. I am very disappointed with the promotion of “Discipline”. Janet is being treated so unfairly by Island Records. It appears to me Mariah Carey is getting all the publicity attention and money from Island while Janet is being treated like dirt.

I don’t have a problem with Mariah I am a fan of her work. I just feel so bad for Janet right now its got to hurt that Mariah is doing so well and her career is fading into dust. I own “The Emancipation Of Mimi”. I don’t understand why Jermaine Dupri works so well with Mariah and not Janet? Mariah and Jermaine just click with their music. Why isn’t Jermaine able to duplicate the success with Janet? Jermaine ruined Janet’s last studio album 20 Y.O. all the crunk that’s not Janet’s sound. Janet is a mixture of R&B and pop that’s her signature sound.

I honestly believe Discipline is a solid album I love this new album. I don’t get it? Why is Janet not connecting with the public? Perhaps it is radio maybe radio stations aren’t playing Janet anymore due to ageism? I don’t know what’s going on? Also I think sexism is the culprit here. R Kelly is 40 years old he’s an R&B legend he sings about sex and not one newspaper or magazine has criticized R Kelly for singing about sex. So why are men allowed to be sexual but women cannot?

I remember at the beginning of the decade Janet Jackson was on top of the world. The Velvet Rope world tour was a huge smash and the All For You album and tour was very successful. Mariah and Janet are both signed to Island records. Mariah has her 18th number one single “Touch My Body” surpassing Elvis for second spot in the rock era. Meanwhile, Janet Jackson’s new album “Discipline” isn’t doing well.

Discipline isn’t selling very well in North America. Janet is hot if she wants to sing about sex more power to her. I just think perhaps now even I can admit maybe Janet needs to change her image a bit? Maybe Janet needs a complete image make over she needs to try something original and different. I don’t mind Janet talking about sex but she needs to do something contstructive with her talents. Perhaps Janet should continue acing again?

Just Applied to M.A. In Creative Writing Program

Okay, I finally applied to a M..A. Creative Writing Program. I paid the money order, mailed off a copy of my university transcript, letter of recommendation, photocopies of my writing samples, photocopies of some reviews of “You Don’t Know Me”. I mailed everything off express post. Now I am plotting my next move. I have to do things that make me happy.

I am also applying to a second M..A. in Creative Writing Program as well. I am just glad I finally decided to take the next step and actually apply. I procrastinate too much always guessing and wondering. It does feel good to actually take action.

Opposition Claims Victory In Zimbabwe Elections 50.3% Of The Vote

The opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai claims he has defeated Zimbabwe dictator Robert Mugabe in the Zimbabwe’s election. According to media reports Mr. Tsvangirai’s party won 50.3% of the vote and the dictator of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party won 43.8%. The vote proves the people of Zimbabwe have spoken they want change.

There are also stories floating that Robert Mugabe is working out a deal so he can escape being arrested. The real question is Mr. Tsvangirai really better then Mugabe? What is Mr. Tsvangirai going to do about the serious economic, social, cultural, and political turmoil in the Southern African nation?

What will the response of the international community be to the election results and does the United Nations honestly believe order can be restored? Will Mugabe even step down? Mugabe has been in power for over 28 years but it does appear finally that Mugabe understands the people of Zimbabwe want him to resign.

Morrissey Is A Man Of Mystery

Back in the 1990s, when I was a jaded, depressed, unhappy, teenager I started listening to The Smiths. I think one of my first crushes was on Steven Patrick Morrissey. Although my crush on Morrissey has faded over time, I still respect him as an artist. Some people say Morrissey is irrelevant to the music industry, but I strongly disagree. I think sometimes he is misunderstood. Sometimes I do feel Morrissey takes himself a bit too seriously, after all he’s a pop superstar.

I remember a friend of mine he loaned me a copy of “Viva Hate” Morrissey’s first solo album. I loved the brashness of Morrissey’s lyrics and the assertiveness of his voice. Morrissey is a very good singer he is also very opinionated, outspoken, and attractive. Morrissey still looks good for a man that’s almost 49 years old.

The Smiths were a cult eighties British rock group. I didn’t discover The Smiths until the 1990s. I was most impressed with the lead singer and songwriter for the group Steven Patrick Morrissey.

Morrissey was born in Manchester England, in the year 1959. Morrissey has a cult following in North America a few of his albums have reached gold status. Even when Morrissey didn’t have a record deal for seven years he toured and sold out concerts. For a long time Morrissey refused to conduct interviews because he felt the media manipulated his comments by twisting his words to create controversies.

The interesting aspect about Morrissey is he refuses to declare his sexual orientation. Some pop critics in the occidental media have declared Morrissey is gay, even though he chooses not to speak about his sexuality. In England, British journalists often compare Morrissey to the gay literary icon Oscar Wilde. I can see the comparison between both Wilde and Steven Patrick Morrissey, they have Irish roots. Both Wilde and Morrissey are also passionate about their art and politics. Morrissey and Wilde are also very outspoken and controversial as well.

In the song “America Is Not The World”, Morrissey does talk about race, gender, and sexuality. I don’t know if Morrissey is gay but I definitely know he’s not straight. I think perhaps Morrissey is bisexual. People don’t really think about male bisexuality. There is an assumption in society that men cannot be bisexual. A man is either heterosexual or homosexual there is no in between. So why is there this double standard? Female singers can declare they are lesbians or bisexual and nobody says anything.

Now if you listen to The Smiths songs like “Hand In Glove” and “Charming man” you know the songs have a strong homoerotic element. Morrissey continues with the homoeroticism in songs later on in career such as “Roy Keen”. Also, has anyone ever seen the musicians in Morrissey’s band? I mean look at the guitarist, bass player, and drummer these guys are gorgeous aren’t they? Morrissey definitely has one of the best looking bands in rock music these days.

I have a love and hate relationship with Morrissey. Sometimes he says really stupid things because he’s trying to be edgy, sometimes Morrissey needs to think before he says stuff. I find Morrissey to be incredibly pretentious and he does things just to shock people. Other times I think Morrissey is one of the smartest men in the music business. I give Morrissey a lot of respect in terms of following his own artistic vision.

For seven long years after Morrissey’s 1997 album “Maladjusted” bombed he didn’t have a record deal. Finally, in the year 2004 Morrissey returned to form on “You Are The Quarry”. Morrissey’s voice never sounded better and the songs are simply incredible. Also “You Are The Quarry” is the most successful solo album of Morrissey’s career.

However, in 2006 Morrissey released “Ringleaders Of The Tormentors” and I must say the album is complete rubbish. The songs are uninspired, ,lacking the lyrical content and a sense of levity. I was disappointed because I think “Ringleaders Of The Tormentors” is Morrissey’s worst solo album. What happened to Morrissey? Where is the man that sang “We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful”? What about songs such as “Everyday Is Like Sunday” or “The More You Ignore Me The Closer I Get”? On Morrissey’s 2006 album he appears lost and confused. Morrissey now claims he is no longer celibate and having sex. Maybe Morrissey’s mood changed because he’s happy again? I hope Morrissey’s next studio album will be a stronger and better.

Serena Advances But Venus Dismissed In Miami Masters Quarterfinals

Serena Williams demonstrated to the world why she should be taken seriously. Serena destroyed world number one Justine Henin 6-2 6-0 in eighty minutes in the quarterfinals of the Miami Masters. Serena was in immaculate form in mind, spirit, and body. Serena is also the four time champion of the event she is the Queen of Miami. Serena has actually played solid tennis this year she already has a title winning an event in India last month. Serena simply overpowered Henin with serves of over 120 miles per hour and incredible court speed, mixing precision volleys, with powerful groundstrokes. Justine Henin appeared confused her shots didn’t have the normal consistency and she appeared frightened by Serena’s incredible power. The goal for Serena in 2008 is she needs to duplicate this result in a grand slam event. Serena also beat Henin in Miami in the finals last year.

By contrast, Venus illustrated once again that she is simply too inconsistent. I know its not fair to compare the Williams Sisters because Venus and Serena are two different people. However, on the tennis court Serena is always more consistent. Venus can be spectacular or she can be ordinary. Venus is still a complete mystery. Venus had eight double faults in her quarterfinal loss yesterday to Russian Svetlana Kuzentsova. Now if you add up the eight double faults this mean Venus gifted away two complete games to her opponent. The serve is the one shot a tennis player can control. I think this is the reason Serena is the superior player. Serena’s serve tends to be more consistent. Venus serve is the opposite you just don’t know if she will serve well or not?

Venus is not playing to her usual standard she seems off this year so far. Venus has not reached a WTA final either. I wonder is this just Venus being Venus? I love Venus but even I know she seems more inconsistent then usual? In Memphis Venus had the worst loss of her career losing to a teenager ranked outside the WTA top 100. Venus serve also seems to be out of rhythm right now. I am concerned and worried about Venus.

I love Venus I always have and I always will but I wish Venus could work a bit more on her consistency. The quandary with being a Venus fan is you never know which Venus will show up on the court? Will it be the six time grand slam champion that plays like a top player? Or will Venus play like an erratic player a woman possessed making a ton of unforced errors and the ball flying all over the place? Last night Venus met her match she lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4 6-4.

Now to be fair Kuznetsova is a top ten player a former US Open champion. Kuznetsova also beat Sharapova in Indian Wells last week so she is a tough opponent she moves well, has a solid serve, excellent speed, and good groundstrokes. However, Venus should be able to beat Kuznetsova and yet she failed to deliver. Serena advances to play Kuznetsova in the semifinals in Miami.