NFL Week Two

Welcome back, everyone! I running late because my wonderful computer has been installing updates since I turned it on at 8 this morning. This post will not be as long as normal because I'm working on the IPad, and since I don't have a keyboard, it feels like I'm texting instead of typing, and I hate texting.

The Browns are off to a typical year for them. Like the Cowboys, their quarterback Robert Griffin, III IS ALREADY OUT! Is it me or is this guy having an early midlife crisis? So, is his career. I don't think that he brought much with him from Washington. I think the Redskins took most of what he had and used it up. Sorry, I just don't think he has much left in the tank.

The Chargers suffered a blow losing Keenan Allen for the season in that loss to the Chiefs. Get well, soon Keenan!

Speaking of that game, the Chiefs have zero respect for my health. After spending the majority of the game losing badly, the Chiefs came back to tie the score in the waning minutes of the game. Then, QB Alex Smith wins the game on his legs to beat the Chargers 33-27. I don't know how my heart can take it.

People are still mad at Colin Kaepernick, and more players joined the list last week, including Marcus Peters. For the record, there is never a good time to protest. It's their right, and I will continue to support them. Because our country was founded on the protestation of issues that were wrong, these athletes have the right to protest problems that continue to plague our country. Instead of being angry at the protest, be angry at the issue they are protesting.

Lucille Swings, my fantasy team, won their first game. Lochted and Loaded, well, they start today. I don't have high hopes for that team, though.

Last week, my predictions were pretty darn good if I say so myself with a 10-6 record. That only means this week will be worse. Here's hoping I perform equally or better.

Sunday, September 18, 2016
San Francisco 49ers vs Carolina Panthers: Carolina
Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns: Baltimore 
Tennessee Titans vs Detroit Lions: Tennessee 
Kansas City Chiefs vs Houston Texans: Kansas City
Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots: New England
New Orleans Saints vs New York Giants: New York
Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers: Pittsburgh 
Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Redskins: Dallas
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Arizona Cardinals: Arizona
Seattle Seahawks vs Los Angeles Rams: Seattle
Indianapolis Colts vs Denver Broncos: Indianapolis 
Atlanta Falcons vs Oakland Raiders: Oakland
Jacksonville Jaguars vs San Diego Chargers: San Diego
Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings: Green Bay

Monday, September 19, 2016
Philadelphia Eagles vs Chicago Bears: Philadelphia 

Thursday, September 22, 2016
Houston Texans vs New England Patriots: New England

Fantasy fans, don't forget Tom Brady and his favorite weapon Rob Gronkowski are out along with my running back Jamaal ChaArles.

Until next week, "When nothing is sure, everything is possible." -Margaret Drabble

American Horror Story: Season 6 Premiere

Warning: there will be spoilers!!!!

Hey, y'all!  Well, we will finally figure out what the new season of American Horror Story will be about. Can't be good when it begins based on a true story.

My Roanoke Nightmare!!!!!

Well, I hope it's better than Freakshow and Hotel. Shelby (Lily Rabe) and Matt () who is a new actor to the series. A gang initiation cause Matt to be unconscious...Wait a minute...They just switched from to Sarah Paulson as Shelby, and Matt is some other dude.  What is going on? Man, she just had a miscarriage...

Wait, that's Cuba Gooding, Jr. as Matt in the story? Nothing about this house looks even remotely like something I would ever want to live in. I'm a little confused. Are Lily and the new guy reenacting or are Cuba and Sarah reenacting?  I'm confused. They left the West Coast to move to the East Coast because they were scared of life on the left coast only to move into a house that screams don't you dare move into me because you will die. They then precede to piss off some sketchy looking bubbas...nice...This will not end well...

Well, somebody just won a beautiful new Mercedes. It wasn't me so it's not important.

This is weird, because I'm seeing OJ making out to Marcia Clarke right now...Thanks Cuba and Sarah. Something is attacking their new "farm." Man, the bubbas have some bad teeth. So, something attacked their house the night before, now it's hailing...Nope, it is raining teeth. Like for real teeth, Now, he thinks she is coo-coo for cocoa puffs. Jump scare with the shutters. Wait there are people. Who is this woman? Nice library...I would not sit in this hot tub in the day, much less in the night...alone. She wants to die. Of course some one pushes her under. Looks like the Bubbas...

Shelby already makes poor decisions. Well, the cop is a useless jerk.  She is seeing teeth and torches. Nice name for a band, not so much for your sanity, mind you. Dead pig on the porch. So much good meat gone to waste. New actress as Lee, played by Angela Bassett in the Paulson storyline. Lee is a cop on pills. Got shot looking a baby in a crack house. Lost her job and her husband. Lee is a mess, y'all. That's a cold blooded ghost. rolling that bottle in there. Men, with torches again, and cleavers...of course, her phone is vibrate. Girl, you are going to lose that finger pointing it at Lee.  Shut up, Shelby! Somebody breaks in to show you tv on a bad tv. Is Cuba watching the OJ chase on TV? Somebody just Blair Witched the house! I'm not staying...Why are they not leaving?

Shelby has had enough. She's out of here, and she hits Kathy Bates who gets up and walks away as if nothing happened. While searching for Kathy Bates, she gets lost, finds more Blair Witch dolls, runs, and falls. She has hit the scary movie trifecta. Accidentally "kills" someone, gets lost in the woods, trips and fall, now seeing freaky stuff. Now, she is surrounded by torch carriers and a dude missing his scalp...see y'all next week...

NFL Predictions Sure to Bite the Dust: 2016 Edition

Welcome, welcome, welcome!!!!! It is right around the corner ladies and gentleman! After months and months of not always patiently waiting, the 2016 NFL Season is upon us!! Game one is tomorrow night with a Super Bowl rematch between the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos. Now, there is no secret that I have nothing but animosity for both of these teams, but I hate the Broncs more sooooo, GO PANTHERS!!!!

So what's in the news: Tony Romo received his annual injury during pre-season, Tom Brady is suspended (smiles), Peyton Manning is retired (smiles), Drew Brees is attached to the Saints for another year with a guaranteed $44.25 million, nice work if you can get it.

Peyton Manning has finally ended his reign of terror over my beloved Chiefs. Now, he will just terrorize us with the endless stream of Directv Commercials (shame on you, Lionel Richie). With Peyton starting his acting career and Brock Osweiler in Houston, the Broncos will be helmed by Trevor Siemian who basically held Peyton's clipboard for the past two seasons. Good luck, kid! Ans by luck, I mean, I hope you suck every bit as bad as Peyton was good. (Yeah, I still hate the Broncos. Sorry...not sorry.)

The Dallas Cowboys, a team I have nothing but disdain for, is starting the season with their Captain on the disabled list...again. Seriously, the only thing holding Tony Romo together at this point is dental floss and duct tape. You can give this guy the side-eye, and he will collapse. As a result of Tony Romo annual collapse, the Boys will be starting Dak Prescott. While I'm not a fan of Mississippi State, I root for anyone who represents my home state (except Brett Favre, because forget Brett Favre). Now, I'm not going to be rooting for the Cowboys, but this young man has multiple college records and Mississippi State records under his belt. While that did not bode well for Tim Tebow, per se, (FYI, really Mets, really!!???), I'm looking for good things from young Mr. Prescott.  Good luck, young man, may your stats be great, and the Cowboys lose every game. (Yes, I know, I am petty.)

Tom Brady is suspended...

Colin Kaepernick, of course, has been the topic of conversation for the last two weeks. I haven't said a lot about this, but here is my two cents. Colin Kaepernick has every right to do whatever he wishes to do during the National Anthem. Our behavior during the National Anthem is a courtesy. It is not a requirement nor a law for a citizen to stand nor honor. I have classmates who would neither stand for the Pledge nor the anthem because according to their religion they felt that it was  form of idolatry. There are many problems that our country needs to resolve, and police brutality is a problem we should all want to be eliminated. This is what he is protesting. Racism is still a problem that is deeply rooted in America. This is what he is protesting. I don't care if you don't like it. It's his right, and I support him. As the great Mississippi Nobel Prize Winning writer William Faulkner once said, "Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the earth." FYI, where were y'all's protest when Bruce Miller beat up a 70 year old man? I'm not saying, I'm just saying. P.S. that anthem really wasn't written for the black people...just facts folks...

I drafted my fantasy team last night. Team Lucille Swings consists of Cam Newton, Dez Bryant, Jeremy Maclin, Larry Fitzgerald, Adrian Peterson, Spencer Ware, and Travis Kelce. I should have probably called them the Golden Boys....

Last year, I finished the season with a 144-97 prediction record. Pray for me y'all...Here are my predictions sure to fail. There is no rhyme or reason to these choices...Just laugh your way through them like I will do in January...
NFC East-New York Giants
NFC South-Carolina Panthers
NFC North-Green Bay Packers
NFC West-Seattle Seahawks
Wild Cards-Dallas, New Orleans

AFC East-New England Patriots
AFC South-Indianapolis Colts
AFC North-Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC West-Kansas City Chiefs
Wild Cards-Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos
NFC Champs-Carolina
AFC Champs-Kansas City, just kidding, New England
Super Bowl Champs-Carolina

Now for the week one picks...

Thursday, September 8, 2016
Carolina Panthers at Denver Broncos: Carolina

Sunday, September 11, 2016
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons: Tampa Bay
Minnesota Vikings at Tennessee Titans: Tennessee
San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs: KANSAS CITY, was there any doubt?
Oakland Raiders at New Orleans Saints: New Orleans
Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets: Cincinnati
Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia Eagles: Philadelphia
Green Bay Packers at Jacksonville Jaguars: Green Bay
Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore
Chicago Bears at Houston Texans: Chicago
Miami Dolphins at Seattle Seahawks: Seattle
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys: New York
Detroit Lions at Indianapolis Colts: Indianapolis
New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals: Arizona

Monday, September 12, 2016
Pittsburgh Steelers at Washington Redskins: Pittsburgh
Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers: San Francisco

It's a new NFL Season, Y'all!!! Good luck to all your teams, unless they are Oakland, Dallas, and Denver...

Until next week, "Now that the night is over, And the sun comes Like a god into our room, All perfect light and promises." INXS and I say enjoy the game!!!!!!

Being a Color...

October 3, 1995-In Los Angeles, California, a jury acquitted Orenthal James Simpson of the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. The trial had lasted a year, and during that time, America's opinion about whether or not OJ did it was divided mostly down this line: black vs. white.


I was beginning my senior year in college at a predominantly white, Southern Baptist College in Mississippi. I'm not joking when I say that African Americans made up 10% or less of the student population, and most of those were women. When I graduated, there were only two black English majors graduating. This was the situation I found myself in when that verdict came down over 20 years ago. When I went to class, I was often the only black person in the class, so I had to run interference for every single black person in America. Seriously, I don't know every black person. I was yelled at by my boss when I told her I truly didn't care about the verdict. I'll never forget her yelling, "Those were two human lives taken! You should care!" I responded, "Did you care yesterday, when a black lady in Jackson was stabbed to death in front of her apartment complex in front of her children by her ex-husband? Did you?" She didn't respond, she just turned on her heel and left the room in a huff. FYI, I knew the lady who was stabbed to death in Jackson.


I then had to explain why I wanted to see if OJ would be found not guilty. Nah, I didn't believe he was innocent. I still don't. I fully believed he did it, but I truly wanted to see if the system would work for a rich, black man the way it had often worked for rich, white men. Guess what, it did. There I was having to justify and explain the emotions for practically every black person in America to some rather hostile white people. Needless to say, I didn't tarry outside my dorm room at night if I didn't have to.


This racial divide did not begin in America with the election of Barack Obama, it didn't really begin with the OJ verdict, nor did it begin with Ronald Regan's welfare queen. No, folks, it has always been there. OJ verdict and the election of President Obama just brought that simmering racism to the surface. 


I say all of that to get to the events that have transpired over the last few days.  I woke up Tuesday morning to hear about the death of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana which is only a 90 minute drive from my hometown. I saw the video, and I was completely disgusted by it. It brought back Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, Mike Brown, Eric Garner, and all of the other African Americans who have been assaulted before our eyes by people who were suppose to protect us.


I'll admit. African Americans have had a tentative relationship with police at best. Most of us would just rather not deal with police officers. I say this as a person who has family members in law enforcement. Most of us go out of our way to avoid coming in contact with police officers. As a young woman, often traveling by myself back and forth between Natchez and Hattiesburg (a three hour drive), my grandmother gave me the following advice. 1) Do not let night time find me on the road. 2) Clip my license, registration, and insurance on the visor above the driver's seat, so I never have to reach for it (I still do this today). 3) Never drive more than 5 miles above the speed limit and always, always signal. 4) IF you are pulled over, do not make eye contact. Say yes, sir/ma'am. Keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times. Agree with whatever, take the ticket, and we will take care of it at home. 5) If you are pulled over at night, put on your caution lights, slow to a crawl, and drive until you are in a well lit area with witnesses. Then, apologize for not pulling over immediately, and follow the rules for number 4.  I never drove home or returned to school after sunset.


How many of you have to give that advice to your teenage son or daughter? You see, my grandmother came of age in a Mississippi where police were not your friend. She saw postcards with the remains of African Americans put on display before smiling white people who sometimes wore police uniforms. She was raising children during the time in Mississippi when Emmitt Till was beaten, shot, and discarded in the river like garbage for just looking/whistling at a white woman. She was raising children when Ben Chester White was shot and discarded like an animal. She raised children during a time when three Civil Rights workers were killed and buried in a dam by police officers. She lived during a time where just being black on a sidewalk after sundown could get you killed, and the police would not protect you. I went to college during the 1990s and graduated in 1997, but those fears were passed down to me by her. It is 2016, and I shouldn't be afraid of my friendly, neighborhood police officer, but I am. Because it seems that my rights end the moment those lights flash. I once had an officer that I taught give me a hug while in uniform, and my heart skipped a beat when my eyes landed on his revolver. It shouldn't be this way, but it is.


I do not hate police officers. They run toward danger when many of us run away from it. I understand they have a dangerous job. I'm not anti-police. Even with the fears, I've just explained, I'm not. I do, however, support Black Lives Matter. Now, before you stop reading let me explain why.

1. The Black Lives Matter movement is not about upholding criminals as martyrs. It was never that. Some of the names were not criminals. Jonathan Ferrell had a severe car accident. He crawled out of the back window of car and made it to a house to ask for help. The woman thought he was there to rob her and called police. Officers claimed he was acting aggressively. The injured man was then tasered, shot, and killed. One officer was indicted, and later, found not guilty of voluntary manslaughter. Tamir Rice was a 12 year old boy playing with a toy gun and shot down in front of his sister. No charges were brought against those officers, including the shooter who was not hired by another police department because they felt he wasn't mentally stable enough to be an officer.  A person is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, but some officers are literally jumping the gun, and it is not just happening to black people; it is happening to every type of person, but it just so happens that 25% of the officer involved killings occur with African American victims (who only make up 13% of the population), and many of these officers are never prosecuted for non-justifiable acts.
2. "What about the cops who fear for their lives? They should be able to protect themselves! You are supporting these criminals!" I have no doubt about that. They do deserve to protect themselves. By that same token, if a "criminal" has been subdued, they should not have to die. They should not have to die. If you or I, even a stand your ground state, kill a person who is subdued or nor longer posing a threat, and we are going to jail. Yes, we would go to jail.  Renisha McBride had a car accident and knocked on the door Theodore Paul Wafer, who told the police that he thought she was breaking in, he feared for his life, and he shot her through the door and killed her. She had no weapon, and there was no evidence of a break-in. Wafer was charged with 2nd degree murder, convicted, and sentenced to 17-32 years in prison. If a police officer committed a crime, they should be held accountable. They should not get a free pass because they are a police officer. They should be held to higher standards than a non-officer. By that same token, a criminal has the right as an American citizen to get their day in court. Officers should not be judge, jury, and executioner. Take Jonathan Ayers, a young, white pastor who was killed by Narcotics agents who mistakenly believed he was a drug dealer. Ayers was actually ministering to a young woman who had previously bought drugs from an undercover cop. It was called a justified kill by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The Black Lives Matters movement is just the title. They are bringing the issue to all of these types of events. It concerns us all. We should respect police officers, but we should not have to fear them.
3. "Blue Lives Matter!!!!" Black Lives Matters would not have to exist if the good men and women in blue would stop protecting the bad men and women in blue. Practically every profession is required to report a person who is detrimental to the profession. Why can't you stand up to the bad men/women in blue and tell them to take off the uniform? They don't deserve to be in your ranks. Stop protecting those that kill with no regard for human life.
4. Here is the major difference between the criminals who kill cops and the cops who kill people they are suppose to arrest. Most of the criminals who kill cops will be punished. Some are killed in the commission of the crime, like the sniper in Dallas last night. The others will find themselves behind bars posthaste. Yet, many of the officers, even with videotaped evidence of their crimes, never spend a day in prison for their actions. That is not right. This movement is putting names and faces on people who would otherwise disappear without any justice to the back page the next day. A person selling cds, cigarettes, or simply reporting his 2nd amendment right should not receive the death penalty for those actions.
5. One final point. Taxpayers are always complaining about the money that they spend for this, that, and the other. Keep in mind, for every one of those officers who are not convicted, most often in an attempt to get justice, the families take it to civil court. Guess who ends up footing the bill-us the taxpayers. We end up paying for this misconduct. For example, Boston spent $36 million in a ten year span (2005-2015), Chicago $521 million (2004-2014), Cleveland $8.2 million (2004-2014), Dallas $6.6 million (2011-2014), Los Angeles $102 million (2002-2011). Seriously, this money could be made to help these communities improve their schools or provide better training for their officers, but instead, it is used to clean up messes that these officers have created.

This does not justify what that sniper did in Dallas. I abhor what that man did out of hatred. He was no better than that young man in South Carolina who killed the members of Emanuel AME. He does not represent what the Black Lives Movement is trying to achieve.


The Black Lives Movement does not lessen the lives of others. Yes, all lives do matter-citizens and police officers alike. The purpose is the root out the bad cops, so we do not fear the good ones. Last night, started as a peaceful protest. There were even pictures of the protestors and police officers smiling and posing together. That is the way it should be. We should not be afraid of each other. We each want the same thing-to end an encounter with the other with our lives intact.


Until that time, I pray for all of the dedicated men and women in blue who protect us every day. I also pray for those who have lost their lives at the hands of those who do not deserve the uniform. I also pray for those who are using these events to polarize and further drive us apart for their own agendas. I pray for our country. Maybe someday we will live up to the name the United States of America.


Until next time, "I speak not for myself but for those without voice... those who have fought for their rights... their right to live in peace, their right to be treated with dignity, their right to equality of opportunity, their right to be educated."- Malala Yousafzai

Dead Viewing: Season Six, Ep. 16: "Last Day on Earth"

As always, there will be spoilers, because these posts are my reactions to what is happening on The Walking Dead.


Well, folks, it's that time again-the end of another The Walking Dead season. I hate to use a cliché, but I'm already on pins and needles, and there are still 12 minutes until the show begins. What's going on with Daryl? I don't think he is dead, but how badly is he injured? What about Rosita, Michonne, and Glenn? Of Course the elephant in the room is the emergence of Negan. *Sidenote: AMC, did you really have to cast someone as hot as Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan. I'm going to have a really hard time vacillating between I want you, and I want you dead. Cause, y'all know this guy is hot, right?


Is Morgan going to die messing with this damn horse? That's the guy that Carol left alive by mistake. Is he following Morgan or Carol? Who the hell is this running? Where is Carl going? They are freaking me out with the whistles. All the good warriors are going in the RV? This makes no...come on!!!  I'll be your anchor man. Eugene, man. There is too much tension, and the credits haven't even run yet. Just Survive Somehow...WHY IS EVERYBODY LEAVING?!?! WHO IS GOING TO PROTECT THE FORT?  Y'all are leaving Gabriel in charge?!! What the why?! Gabriel is wearing a Mr. Roger's sweater for goodness sake. Carol is still alive. She looks a hot a** mess. Who is this guy they are beating? Is he from the Hilltop or Alexandria? I'm not going to even speculate on who will die tonight. Where is Heath and Tara?


Rick actually comforting somebody. She might die. Rick is the only character that I think is safe tonight. Abraham just has such a way with words. What the b**ch? The Saviors really are not that bright. Rick is at the I don't give an eff point right now.


Carol and Morgan...They want each other. There is so much tension between these two. Abraham is talking future actions with Sasha? Babies? Nah...One of you isn't coming back.  Really, Abraham? They are not going to return fire? How many roads are they going to go down tonight? HOW MANY ARMED POSTS DO THE SAVIORS HAVE? They are like freaking roaches...


Well, there's that guys friend the Saviors strung up.  Why did Morgan feel the need to cut him down? Aaaaaannnnd Carol's gone, again. Come on Carol. That Horse is still alive? these dudes have set up a zombie blockade? They put Daryl and Michonne's things on the zombies to let them know they have them. These Saviors are killing me. They cut Michonne's hair. They are dead meat.


They are lined up like cheerleaders on the road. Morgan walking around with this loud a** horse. I guess Carol got the dude that was following them.  Nope, she didn't get him. Crap. He just dropped the rosary. Seriously, he just shoots Carol?!  I have to believe that Morgan will finally see what Carol means. Having to kill for someone you love. We only have 38 Minutes left. This is how it opened. Who is in the barn?


Come on, she should have lost that baby by now. Maggie should have lost that baby by now. This guy doesn't really know what to do with Carol. There is Morgan!!! Who are these people in the laser tag outfits? The Saviors are true pieces of crap. Why are they wasting all of these resources? Eugene is finally making sense, and then he didn't. Eugene is sacrificing himself for everybody. Awwww...I didn't think I would be that upset about Eugene, but I have grown to love this dude.


Nahhhhh, not the whistles!!!! These sons of bs... How did they already get the RV? I want Rick to kill this dude first. Yeah, Carl is going to kill you, bruh...this is Terminus all over again. Man, all of them lined up on their knees. My nerves are shot right now, and they left Gabe in charge of Alexandria. He can't rescue nobody!!! For reals, he is going to that dark place where he bites out throats.  You know, Michonne is going to kill that dude with her sword. Here's Negan...Seriously, why is he so hot. Negan is quite calm. This is just...wow. Negan. I'm not liking this at all, but man, Negan is fine. Lucille is about to drink the blood of one of our beloved soldiers. Look at Carl, not even a little scared. Man, Negan, the suspense is killing me. Rick and Carl are just plotting. They are going to kill you, Negan. Not today. He called Carl the future serial killer. Man, We have to wait until freaking October!!!!!!  Who did he pick!!!! I freaking hate you!!! What the crap?!!!! I'm so pissed right now. This fade to black and with the killing off screen. I really hate this. Now, seven months to wait. I really hate this.