By Darling Nicky

An Unsung Canadian Hero Dies at 61

“This is very hard. It was just May that I wrote an article about Jack Layton’s amazing Federal Campaign. Now, I’m writing about his death.” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

It was just 112 days after John Gilbert “Jack” Layton led the New Democratic Party to form the Official Opposition with 103 seats won, which made Jack the most successful leader of the party in history, passed away on August 22, 2011 after a rapid decline in health due to cancer.

For those who don’t really follow politics and perhaps don’t even understand how the Canadian government works, Jack did BIG things in his career.  Liken him to “The Little Engine That Could”.  His last official post was NOT as head of a mere political party, he was the LEADER of the Official Opposition – Jack got to sit directly across from Prime Minister Harper in the House of Commons! Yeah Son – that’s HUGE! Did I mention he “repped” Toronto too?  Oh yes, Jack Layton was a Member of Parliament for the Toronto-Danforth constituency and even held the rank of (acting and deputy) Mayor a few times.

One of the qualities that Jack Layton will be most remembered for is his loyalty to this country and his ability to involve and engage young Canadians in modern politics.

“…truly a loss to Canadian politics both as a voice and as keeping it entertaining and relevant to young Canadians.” via @botzie_sWc on Twitter

Survived by his wife Olivia Chow, MP for Trinity-Spadina, Layton left this Earth with the following words from an open letter to Canadians written 2 days before his death.

“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.” – Jack Layton

#thatswhatHEsaid

Will and Jada: Happiest Couple on Earth Calls it Quits?

“Do YOU believe that Will Smith’s and Jada’s marriage is over? Why? I coulda sworn they had that “open” arrangement. #jussayin.” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

By the time you read this, I’m sure we’ll all know a little more about what’s really happening with this breaking news that Hollywood power-couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith are divorcing after 13 years of (disgustingly) happy wedded bliss.  You don’t need me to recap their story for you – Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star and emerging Hollywood heavy-hitter finds romance with Cosby Show spinoff A Different World’s spunky and rebellious breakout actress.  Will finds comfort (and nookie) in the pint-sized beauty as he regroups from the shadows of his first marriage with Sheree Fletcher (with whom he had his first son Trey), and marries a 2-months pregnant Jada Pinkett in 1997.  For 13 years, this couple has been revered as one of the most committed and loyal couples in all of Hollywood, never shying away from PDA’s and going on record several times saying that divorce is not an option for them.  Entertainment Tonight ran a story last night indicating that the on-set relationship between Jada and Marc Anthony (yes, J.Lo’s ex) as they filmed Hawthorne may have contributed to the separation.

At this point, everything is just speculation until an official response to the rumours is issued, and preferably from them jointly, but it definitely does get you thinking (even more) about what in the world is really happening to the marital institution.

“They have money, success, talent, talented children, and love. If they can’t work, perhaps we need a NEW norm for relationships.” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

#thatswhatSHEsaid

Darling Nicky is an entertainment writer, blogger and publicist.  Check out her out at www.darlingnicky.ca

By Darling Nicky

Co-Host of The View marries long-time boyfriend

“I find it interesting that Joy Behar married her man after being together 29 years. Like really, what difference did it make?” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

I don’t watch The View regularly, but for some reason I always knew about this Steve Janowitz fella as the comedic co-host of The View Joy Behar’s main squeeze.  Like Oprah and Stedman, it was a non-issue for us as an audience as much as it was for them (for 29 years) that they weren’t married.  They did plan a 2009 wedding, but Joy herself called it off citing “wedding jitters”.  Really?  Jitters?  Like as if they didn’t know each other by then.

As the divorce rate climbs and climbs, I’m really trying to understand why so many people are still holding onto traditional relationships.  If I’ve lived with a guy for even five years, we’re as married as the couple who walks down a church aisle and signs a certificate in front of a bunch of people who are there (in part) for the free food and open bar at the reception later. In fact, if you share the same residence for 12 months, you are legally common-law spouses, so apart from being able to collect some medical benefits and receive life insurance funds uncontested, why the heck would anyone just up and decide that seeking the legitimacy of a certificate would make their relationship any more valid.  AFTER 29 YEARS?  I don’t want to hear about any kind of religious obligation, if you’ve “lived in sin” for so long, your devotion to your religious values can’t be that overwhelming.

Maybe they did it just to say they did it.  So, in a few years when they feel claustrophobic in the constraints of their legally binding relationship, perhaps they will divorce.  Just to say they did it.

#thatswhatSHEsaid

Rapper The Game under Investigation for Twitter Prank

“The authorities said that the ’1st Amendment does not permit you to do the social media equivalent of yelling FIRE.” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

Wow!  Rapper The Game should really consider deleting his Twitter account because he is once again in hot water over a recent tweet that was sent from his account encouraging his almost 600,000 followers interested in an internship to call a number which turned out to be the City of Compton’s Sheriff’s Office.  This in turn inundated the Sheriff’s Office with phone calls causing police officers to have to filter through the barrage of calls to determine which were legitimate, and which were related to the prank.

When Headquarters Bureau Captain Mike Parker tweeted The Game to remove the tweet, The Game replied with,

“Yall can track a tweet down but can’t solve murders ! Dat was an accident but maybe now yall can actually do yall job.” via @TheGame on Twitter

The Game may face criminal charges for delaying and/or obstructing police officers while on duty.

The Game may be a playful stage name, but c’mon Son, Twitter tricks are for kids!

#thatswhatSHEsaid

In another Twitter scandal, New Edition member Johnny Gill is embroiled in a legal battle over another incident using the 140 character social media.  Turns out he accused the wife of his record label’s CEO Bill Dewitt of leaking a song with this tweet:

“I have every reason to believe ira from the record company put this song out might cry with unfinished vocal from me,” via @RealJohnnyGill on Twitter

Allegedly he also referred to Ira Dewitt as “f*cking nuts” which led her to file a lawsuit against him for defamation of character.

“Let Johnny Gill’s legal woes be a lesson to keep your beefs OFF Twitter.” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

#thatswhatSHEsaid

Darling Nicky is an entertainment writer, blogger and publicist.  Check out her out at www.darlingnicky.ca

By Darling Nicky

Fish, Oil and one of the most heinous mass murders in Scandinavian history.

“I really think Norway’s gonna need to revise its 21-year maximum sentencing policy. #PrayForNorway” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

I have had the privilege of travelling to the Scandinavian region many times in my life.  Sweden, Denmark and Norway all share similar historical traits – they are all “Kingdoms” meaning they observe a monarchy, they share abundant resources in fish and oil and they boast some of the most beautiful people in the world – bet you didn’t know Paris and Nicky Hilton were Norwegian-Americans? But on Friday July 22, 2011, the course of Norway’s history was forever changed by an anti-Muslim act of terror committed by admitted lone assailant Anders Behring Breivik, 32.

After deploying a home-made bomb (à la Oklahoma City Bombing circa 1995) in the government district in the capital city of Oslo, this one-man tour de force opened fire at a Labour Party Youth Camp killing 87 people, most children ages 12 to 19.  Breivik who surrendered without incident after the attacks has chosen to plead “not guilty” claiming that he wanted to send a message to the Norwegian Labour Party about their pro-immigration policy.

In researching for this post, I stumbled across this very interesting analysis of the Numerology of this attack on www.adventofdeception.com :

Twin Attacks symbolizes the number 11
7/22/2011 = 15
15 reduces as 555 which symbolizes the modern day triple death number.
The date may reduce as 7:22:22
22 is a power number of the occult.
87 dead? = 15
560 members of the Labour Youth Movement on the Island 5+6=11

Time between the shooting spree of 2007:
4 years, 3 months, and 6 days = 13
Actual Number of Days = 1558 days
Days not in leap year: 1192 = 11:11
Days in leap year: 366 = 3:33:33

Personally, I think the only numbers they should be reviewing are the number of life sentences they are going to give this guy in what has become the most historic massacre in Norwegian history since the days of the Vikings.

#thatswhatSHEsaid

Mile High < Club 27

If Amy had have felt the love she is receiving today when she woke up yesterday, maybe today wouldn’t be happening. ” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

The music industry suffered another devastating loss with the confirmation that British singer Amy Winehouse was found dead in her London apartment on Saturday July 23, 2011.   As soon as the news leaked on Twitter, my timeline ignited with an outpouring of “RIPs” and “wasted talent” tweets from a variety of people who both loved and revered her, and who (perhaps) just wanted to demonstrate some social etiquette by acknowledge her passing.  Riddled with irony, Amy’s death makes her the latest inductee into Club 27 – the age that several other talented (yet drug addicted) musicians like Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin all left this earth.

Amy’s breakthrough hit “Rehab” put her on the North American radar in 2006, although she had been making music for many years before, reigniting a love affair with jazz and vintage sounds.  She won five Grammys for that song, which transparently spoke about her refusal to enter rehabilitation treatment for her substance abuse.  She was also an admitted physical abuser, having been involved in many attacks against her long-time partner Blake Fielder-Civil.

Although the police at time of press are listing the cause of death as “unknown”, there is endless speculation that it was from a drug overdose.   I’m beginning to wonder if there isn’t some intent behind all of these tragic celebrity deaths.   I mean, a user knows how much their body can take, what the normal amount of drug is that they require to give them the high they are seeking.  So, if more drug is administered than usual, then there has to be some intent to that. Many critics have said that Amy was already dead inside, her body just caught up.

For the many that appreciated her and her music, this is certainly a terrible loss, and I hope that her trendsetting legacy lives on with her impressive catalog.

“Absolutely RIP Amy Winehouse, but how many of you tweeted yesterday, “I loooooove her and her music”. Don’t wait ’till ppl are dead.” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

#thatswhatSHEsaid

Darling Nicky is an entertainment writer, blogger and publicist.  Check out her out at www.darlingnicky.ca

By Darling Nicky

Those are some HIGH ceilings – and I’m not talking about architecture!

“Hmm….so while we try to figure out why J.Lo and Marc Anthony didn’t make it, the US is going to default on their debt ceiling. Awesome. ” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

Like watching a speeding train come towards you while you stand there blissfully unaware because your iPod headphones are turned up to loud – this is a fair depiction of how the US looks to the world as Republicans staunchly refuse to budge on their position of the looming and probable default on their $14.3 trillion debt ceiling.   President Obama has been trying to instill urgency in Congress leaders to either accept his proposed compromise package that includes a $1 trillion hike in taxes or come to the table with a solution.  The deadline for the US to avoid defaulting is just days away – August 2, 2011.

So what exactly happens when a big country like the US has to file for bankruptcy? We all seen what happened in Greece. #smallting ” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

Things are looking very shaky for the global economy.  While the Bank of Canada holds at 1% lending rate, inflation is on the way because our more (or less) stable economy can’t remain stable indefinitely when more powerful economic markets are in such jeopardy.  Greece’s debt situation places the entire European Union in uncertainty, while the Chinese, who are major shareholders in US Treasury Bonds, also rely on US spending on goods manufactured in China. Basically, it’s a vicious circle–not unlike the relationship you have with your credit cards.

In other news….

J.Lo and Marc Anthony announced their separation.  *crickets*  Even though as recently as April, they were seen lovey-doveying down the place at public engagements, we all know that J.Lo is the master of her own public image.   Who needs a publicist when J.Lo has it locked down to a science.  See what she did to Ben Affleck.   That guy never looked more polished in his life than the years they were a couple.

J.Lo resurrected her career from stagnancy once she landed the judging gig on American Idol, because let’s be honest, how else would she have TWO songs from her album LOVE? on Billboard’s Hot 100 right now?  Word is, she played a little hard-to-get (really, J.LO – hard to get?) with AI producers, and it paid off big time, as she landed a $20 million contract to return to the long-running talent competition.

“I feelin’ that Marc Anthony sufferin’ from short-man inferiority complex. B/c really – J.Lo is a friggin’ good catch and she’s loyal.” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

J.Lo might be a very shrewed businesswoman, but her “Love Don’t Cost a Thing”.

#ThatsWhatSheSaid

He Finally Gets a Piece of the Pie

“You gotta give it up for Wendi Deng. She’s definitely a “don’t you dare throw foam pie at my man” kind of a woman. #MurdochTrial.” @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

Unless you’ve been under a rock, you are well aware that the Murdoch owned News Corp. is at the centre of a horrendous phone-hacking scandal that has several of the biggest names in media and politics in the hot seat.  News of the World Editor Rebekah Brooks resigned as a result of the scandal and is actually being held in connection with allegations of phone hacking and police bribery.

With the British tabloid now in ruins, Rupert Murdoch and his son James sit in court, denying any involvement with any illegal activities that may have occurred at News of the World, and yesterday (June 19, 2011) British Comedian Jonnie Marbles attacked the 80-year-old Murdoch with a foam pie, to which Wendi Deng, Murdoch’s wife leaped to his defence and swatted Marble away in an effort to protect her media mogul husband.

If your hubby was worth in the neighbourhood of $7.6 billion, you’d be happy to throw yourself in front of a moving foam pie too.

#ThatsWhatSheSaid

Darling Nicky is an entertainment writer, blogger and publicist.  Check out her out at www.darlingnicky.ca

By Darling Nicky

Baby, Baby, Baby – I bought you at a lottery!

“The UK’s new “win a baby” lottery comes under scrutiny. <—- Um…ya think????!!!!!” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

Reading the news headlines these days really makes me stop and ask myself, “What the heck is this world coming to?”  Reproductive ethics representatives are up in arms at the recent decision by UK regulators to allow the “To Hatch” organization to introduce a lottery that would allow people who purchase a £20 ticket to be eligible to win expensive IVF (in-vitro fertilization) treatments.

Although to be clear, the funds accrued from the lottery will be donated to charities that help counsel couples who are struggling to conceive, I don’t know if launching government approved lotteries to scientifically conceive babies conveys a responsible message when there are countless babies around the world that need to be adopted–due in some part by other government sanctioned initiatives (i.e. military action) that cause children to become orphaned when their parents are killed in wartimes.  I appreciate the notion that there is no other love than the love you have for your own flesh and blood, but we love our romantic partners to the ends of the Earth (well hopefully we do), although we don’t share any DNA.

In other news….

“So a woman gives birth to a 16 lb baby in Texas. Nothing beats giving birth to a 2-year old.” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

Everything’s always bigger in Texas.

#ThatsWhatSheSaid

A Dog’s Life

“7 dogs in Saskatoon escaped death by feeding on the remains of their deceased owners for a week. (They ARE animals).” @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

The seven dogs of a Saskatoon couple who died on their rural property in Springside, Saskatchewan survived by doing what came naturally in a time of survival.  With no one to feed them while their owners lay dead of what seems to be non-suspicious reasons, at some point the survival instincts of the dogs kicked in, and rather than die of starvation, they ate the remains of their owners to stay nourished.   Now, the fate of these dogs are in question as some question whether it would be safe to place these domesticated animals in new homes after they have been eating human flesh for a week.

Are you kidding me?  Is that to say that humans who get caught in avalanches or mines who choose to survive by drinking their own urine (and YES – it does happen!) should be euthanized because they are no longer fit to be members of society?  For goodness sake – shows like Fear Factor glorified the consumption of unnatural fare like spiders, cockroaches and slugs more for our entertainment than any type of life-or-death situation.

I’m not the biggest animal lover, to be honest – the only pets I ever had in my life were goldfish, but if these were humans, I don’t think judgment would come into play in this situation.  The dogs did not kill their owners, so therefore their actions were merely a survival tactic.

Really ask yourself – if YOU were in a situation that forced you to choose survival over death, which would you choose?

#ThatsWhatSheSaid

BONUS – Speaking of Pets

Due to my attendance at the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival official launch yesterday (July 12, 2011) at Nathan Phillips Square, I am a day behind in posting this column for you.  While there, as many people experience when they are in large crowds, I experienced a number of annoyances that made my “pet peeve” list grow significantly.  So, I thought I would share with you a few of my TOP Pet Peeves, and encourage you to share some of yours.  Perhaps we can find company in our misery (or at least our minor annoyances).

1. People who tag you in Facebook photos that have NOTHING to do with you.
2. Phone conversations with excessive background noise and interruptions
3. Friends that ask you to use your professional leverage to get them FREE stuff.
4. Line straddlers.
5. When the person sitting next to you at the movies uses the wrong cup holder.
6. When guys address me (clearly a FEMALE) as “Bredren”.
7. WhEn PeOpLe TyPe LiKe ThIs To gEt YoUr AtTeNtIoN.
8. Pay-at-the-pump/pre-pay only gas stations.
9. People that leave their kids/pets in cars unattended.
10. The expression, ”There’s an app for that!”

#ThatsWhatSheSaid

Darling Nicky is an entertainment writer, blogger and publicist.  Check out her out at www.darlingnicky.ca

By Darling Nicky

Casey Anthony – NOT GUILTY!  (But apparently Kim Kardashian is).

“The Kardashians don’t know anything about justice.  Is it justified for your family to have like 6 reality shows on my TV?” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

So yesterday (July 5, 2011) was yet another day in American history where the entire country can look at the state of Florida and say, “What the heck were you thinking?”  This because in one of the most surprising verdicts in history – 25-year-old Casey Anthony from Orlando, Florida was found NOT GUILTY in the case against her for killing her 2 year-old daughter Caylee who was found dead wrapped in duct tape when a large scale search was launched, albeit that Casey waited a full MONTH to call the police to report her toddler missing in 2008.  With a string of lies and conflicting stories including a botched attempt to blame a Mexican babysitter, pundits were certain that a not guilty verdict would be handed down.

But alas, after 11 hours of deliberation over two days from a jury made up of seven women and five men, the world united for a few moments in the infamous “deer in the headlights” expression as it was revealed that the verdict was not guilty.  Even Kim Kardashian, daughter of famed OJ Simpson lawyer Robert Kardashian (who in case you were living under a rock helped to get OJ acquitted of a homicide charge in the case of his ex-wife Nicole Brown-Simpson) felt the need to express her shock and despair, “WHAT!!!!???!!!! CASEY ANTHONY FOUND NOT GUILTY!!!! I am speechless!!!” she tweeted.

I’m speechless too.   Kim’s mother Kris wants to change her name back to Kardashian. *sigh* There really IS no justice in the world.

#ThatsWhatSheSaid

MAN DOWN – Should have worn a helmet

“That’s sort of like the Trojan Man dying of Syphilis.” @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

So, a man named Philip Contos, 55, died in Western New York recently due to injuries sustained when he crashed on Route 11 in New York State, while protesting the “helmet” law that requires all motorcyclists to wear a helmet while riding.  The doctors who treated him said he could have escaped death if he was simply wearing a helmet

Why do people do that?  Staunchly protest something, only to find out it was good for them in the long run.  I mean, a few weeks ago, I was caught off guard when my daughter’s school sent home an information sheet advising me that HPV vaccinations would be administered to those girls who parents signed the consent form.  After I recovered from my cardiac arrest at the audacity of the Health Ministry for insinuating that 12 year-old girls need such a vaccination, I reflected at the fact that many children are becoming sexually active before 9^th Grade, and that no matter how much I don’t want to believe it could ever happen to my child, who am I really kidding?  It could happen to ANYBODY.  (Especially if your kids are in Catholic school…..I digress).

I guess the point is that by the time risk prevention becomes law, there must be pretty sound evidence that such a measure is needed.  Such as, “riding a motorcycle without a helmet may put you at greater risk of dying from head injuries in case of accident.”  Makes sense to me.

“#TragicIrony, I shall now ‘refrain from removing my seatbelt before the ride has come to a full and complete stop’” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

#ThatsWhatSheSaid

Darling Nicky is an entertainment writer, blogger and publicist.  Check out her out at www.darlingnicky.ca

By Darling Nicky

BET Awards – Awkward, Rigged, But Oh So Good!

“I think having @maryjblige open the show will make up for all the faux-pas that haven’t happened yet. Good call #BETAwards.” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

You know BET (Black Entertainment Television) has set a pretty questionable standard when heading into the 11^th Annual BET Awards, your viewers have to excuse you in advance for all the probable screw-ups that will take place during the live broadcast.  From entourages of 50 or more flooding the stage for a single acceptance speech to pants slung so low *cue Soulja Boy* that I mistakenly thought they’d cut to a Fruit-of-the-Loom commercial, the BET Awards are definitely NOT your typical awards show.

But as we have done for the last decade, millions of us across North America (and the Caribbean) tuned into to watch our people celebrated for our contributions to the entertainment landscape, while revealing our incessant love affair with mediocrity.   To add insult to injury, the role of Entertainment Reporters is becoming more and more redundant as everybody with an internet connection and a Twitter account can offer commentary in real-time, and many of us did.

“Rainbow Brite – 1. Nicki Minaj – 0 (Nicki left the coloured wig at home). #BETAwards” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

Of all the things that could be offered up as shockers, who knew that Nicki Minaj choosing to stick with a straight, short, black bob with bangs would be one of them.  Have to say – it was a refreshing change.

“Uncle Phil wore a similar outfit on a vacation episode of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (re: Rick Ross) #BETAwards” @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

From the neck down, Rick Ross looks like Bizarre from D-12 with a solid layaway plan at Gucci.

“The road to success is paved with your parents’ money. #BETAwards” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

As much as I adore these two sensational up-and-comers, I had to scratch my head a little when in an unprecedented result, both Jaden AND Willow Smith (yes…yes…offspring to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Lena from A Different World) tied to jointly receive the BET YoungStar Award.  Granted, one of them did deserve to win, but are you telling me that the “star” power of “Whip My Hair” came close (in any way) to the “star” power of The Karate Kid remake which grossed 358 million dollars worldwide?  I’m not calling out any names, but somebody’s got some very wealthy and influential parents that could flex some very influential muscles if they needed to, to prevent discord in the house.  Jussayin’.

“Let me find the ugliest clothes in my closet, and head on down to the BET Awards. ~ Chris Brown” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

For the record, Chris Brown didn’t actually say this (out loud), but I would bet money that’s what he was thinking when decided to channel a “squeegee kid” with his worn out cut off denim shorts and white T-shirt with equally as ordinary black sneakers as his wardrobe ensemble for the momentous occasion.  For a guy whose performance was the most anticipated of the night, and whose legitimate return to glory is under the scrutiny of fans and haters around the world, he needs to stop spending time releasing pictures of his penis on the internet, and start spending some time with a stylist.

There were so many OMG moments during the broadcast both good and bad including Mary J. Blige’s phenomenal opening, Kelly Rowland’s sexy performance of her #1 song “Motivation”, and Patti LaBelle’s acceptance of the Lifetime Achievement Award contrasted by the ridiculous mix-up when Tiffany Green was awarding the Viewer’s Choice Award to Chris Brown…..nope, I mean Rihanna…..oops, what I actually mean is Drake.  *sigh* FAIL.

If you missed them this year, don’t worry.  I’m sure you’ll get another chance to see them.

“Why do we (myself included) watch this Awards show so intently, when it will rerun 90 times the rest of the year? #BETAwards” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

#thatswhatshesaid

By Darling Nicky

Can’t We All Just Get Along

“Vancouver is Canada’s CharlieSheen. #tigerblood” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

“Blood in the streets,” the National Post reported.  Cars and buildings on fire, windows smashed in, sheer and utter mayhem is what described the city of Vancouver when riots broke out at the hands of overly disgruntled fans when the Vancouver Canucks failed to win the Stanley Cup last week.  As many have pointed out, wasn’t this the same city hailed for one of the most peaceful Winter Olympic Games in 2010?

If there is one thing we Canadians are known for, it is our passiveness and good manners.  So what went wrong in the city of Vancouver that fateful night of June 15, 2011?  I mean, didn’t the Miami Heat lose the NBA Finals just a few days earlier – having built what was believed to be the NBA’s strongest line-up and was even subjected to some very inflammatory victory jabs by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban – but yet no destruction was reported in that city.

As of June 20, 2011, two charges have been laid for a stabbing that took place as part of these “sore-loser” riots.  A STABBING?  Are you kidding me? 17-year-old Nathan Kotylak had to turn himself in after he was caught on video trying to set a police car on fire.  Once his address was published on the internet, his family received death threats and were forced to go into hiding. All of this because a hockey game didn’t turn out the way we would have hoped!

I mean, is it just me, or isn’t a known fact that in every competitive forum there can only be one winner?  It wasn’t as though the game was tied, and a bad call was made awarding the Boston Bruins with the winning goal.  It was a total blow-out!!!  4 – 0 hardly seems like an unjustified win.

“Acted first – thought about consequences later” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter in response to @heyhomee when asked to define the Charlie Sheen comparison

#thatswhatshesaid

By Darling Nicky

LeBron James – The G.O.A.T?

“LeBron fans: Do you agree with the media statement that he has surpassed Michael Jordan in both legacy and skill level to date?” via @Darlingnicky999 on Twitter

The media went into a frenzy last week when Scottie Pippen, former Chicago Bulls forward and 6-time NBA title winner alongside Michael Jordan, said to ESPN that LeBron James, “the greatest player to ever play the game,” is a more complete player than Jordan.  Pippen did later clarify that statement by tweeting, “Don’t get me wrong, MJ was and is the greatest.  But LeBron could by all means get to his level someday.”

Even though my hectic schedule does not afford me the luxury of watching NBA games as closely as I would like, I do keep up to date on the players and their careers.  So I thought for a second I was having some kind of pre-geriatric moment when I read that anyone would actually be dethroning Michael Jordan as the greatest NBA player of all time.

I mean this is a guy that led the NBA in scoring over 10 seasons, and tied Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 7 consecutive scoring titles.  His NBA playoff scoring total of 5987 points remains the highest in NBA history, he’s appeared in the NBA All-Star Game 14 times, and he’s a 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist.  If all of that wasn’t impressive enough, he led the Chicago Bulls to six, (count ‘em  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) NBA Championship titles, AND he was reigned MVP in every one of those finals.

The “Jordan” brand rakes in 1 billion US dollars in revenue each year (according to Forbes 2010).  Let us not forget endorsement deals with Coca-Cola, Gatorade, Hanes, McDonald’s, Ball Park Franks, Wheaties, Rayovac and MCI.  Really, are we really going to argue whether or not Michael is STILL the man?

On second thought, LeBron James is the youngest player in league history to score at least 40 points in a single game.   He’s also an Olympic Gold Medalist, has made 7 appearances in the NBA All-Star Game, was Rookie of the Year in 2004, and holds the title for NBA scoring champion in 2008.  He has his own stack of endorsement deals including Nike, Sprite, Glaceau, Bubblicious, McDonald’s and State Farm.

However, what he is missing that by and large is the most crucial difference between his NBA career and that of His Airness: an NBA Championship ring.  That fate will be decided over the next couple of weeks as LeBron and his new team, the Miami Heat meet the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals.

“I agree. Michael Jordan‘s legacy is to basketball what Elvis is to Rock ‘n Roll.” via @Darlingnicky999 on Twitter to @tha1stnoel

#thatswhatshesaid

Allergy Season 2011

“Sick. I knew it was coming. And now it is here. *cough-cough* Really? Again?” via @Darlingnicky999 on Twitter

Ok, so one would think that allergies are exactly headlining news, but when we are entering what has been dubbed “the worst allergy season we’ve seen in years”, you can be sure many will be talking (read as: complaining) about it.

I have never really been an allergy sufferer, but my son has struggled with it since he was a child (He’s 16 now, so I promised I would refer to his “childhood” as past tense).  When I tweeted the above statement earlier about feeling sick, I could have sworn it was a cold or the flu, but then it occurred to me that I too may be joining countless others that are resigned to stuffing those travel-packs of facial tissue in every purse, pocket and cubby within a 20 ft radius.  Some websites even have reader comments that facetiously imply that the cancer and birth defects associated with the herbicides that stave off pollen levels would be more welcome than a constantly drippy nose or itchy, watery eyes.

Apparently because here in Canada, we have had to wait quite late in the year to see summery temperatures, the heavy rainy season has led to an increased occurrence of mould allergies.  Whether it’s pollen, dust, mould, grass or all of the above, looks like no matter how happy we are to see our loved ones, we will be doing so with an allergy-induced tear in our eye.

“OMG! I have been working on this article for like 6 hours. It’s been so hot, my nose is stuffy, and I coughed up my lung at around 7 pm” via @Darlingnicky999 on Twitter

#thatswhatshesaid

Darling Nicky is an entertainment writer, blogger and publicist.  Check out her out at www.darlingnicky.ca

Photo Michael Laughlin/MCT

By Darling Nicky

Somewhere over the last two years, ever since the intrigue of Twitter hit the main stream, many people have lost sight of the defining characteristics that comprise an actual friendship or relationship.  It seems more and more, that with the open exchange of 140 character messages over a public platform (or partially public depending on your privacy settings), that many have come to consider these online connections as real friendships regardless if they have ever met in person or not.

At first thought you might find this comical, because only the delusional would conceive that an online conversation that takes place for public consumption remotely qualifies as a real relationship.  But upon further reflection, it is not untrue that many Twitter conversations have substantially more degrees of interaction than a lot of human ones.

For example, my best friend of 15 years is not on any social media of any kind.  Apart from the fact that I think she is very bold for choosing to be amongst a minority, I respect her decision and appreciate that, should she want to be kept abreast of my daily musings, I am resigned to pressing “5” on my Blackberry’s speed dial to have a voice conversation with her, or leave a very detailed message at the sound of the beep.  That said there are those whom I rarely see in person who can, as a result of Twitter or Facebook interactions, safely make the claim that they know more about any given day in my life over the past couple of years than my best friend does.

This disconnect between the longevity of our friendship and the daily social newsfeed created by Twitter and Facebook updates has reared its head a number of times when my social circles collide and the non-social media users are rendered clueless to the countless references to online jokes, stories, and information snippets.  How many times have you found yourself saying in response to a declaration you may have made online: “What do you mean you didn’t hear about my new ___________? I tweeted about it!”

Many people use social media for networking.  By definition, this is “to make contact and share information with people or groups who share similar interests”.  Upon examining that definition, isn’t that relatively the same catalyst for friendship?  I don’t know if I would be so quick to negate online friendships as not being “real” friendships.  That is similar to dismissing long-distance relationships as unequal to close proximity relationships just because you don’t see each other regularly.  To differentiate, being a silent “follower” or “friend” could mean you take in a person’s output without responding or commenting.  But that certainly does not make you a voyeur, even though the same behaviour in real life might classify you as one.

Generationally speaking, we are eager and grateful for the rapid development of technology, medical science, and economic growth.  But, we also want to remain traditional and stagnant with how we define relationships.  We are just within the last 10 years coming to terms with homosexuality as being an acceptable orientation, or that The United States of America could have an African-American President.  So why is it, that when the changing world around us also impacts the way in which we interact with each other, we are quick to place a hierarchy on those interactions.  I’ve shared more meaningful conversations online with selected followers, than I’ve had with past boyfriends with whom I’ve shared a bed!

Nothing beats meeting a friend at Starbuck’s and exchanging life stories over a cup of java, but until your next meeting, there’s always Twitter.

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Read more of Darling Nicky’s musings on Swaymag.ca:

Real Women, Real Style — Darling Nicky

The Trouble with Customer Serice is…

To Double Down or not to Double Down

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Guest blogger Darling Nicky is an entertainment writer, blogger and publicist.  Check out her blog at www.darlingnicky999.com.