CisterSpeak

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Cisterspeak has moved!  Come visit us at www.cisterspeak.com.  We've got a new look and new things in store for 2010.  Thanks so much for supporting us and come check us out and join the family as we continue to grow!!

When You Cut Up...Serena Williams Fined $82,500

The guy with the white and black jacket is hilarious!  His look says it all. 

Grand Slam administrator Bill Babcock released the final verdict today, via London, and fined Serena Williams a whopping $82,500 for her angry rant at the U.S. Open.  On top of that she's on "probation"  for the next two years; meaning if she has a relapse and has another "major offense" at any Grand Slam tournament the fine will increase to $175,000 and she would be banned from the next U.S. Open.   On the other hand, if she has no other offenses in the next two years, the probation will be lifted.

Mind you, she was already fined $10,000 by the U.S. Tennis Association.  So basically that's nearly $100,000 gone because she chose to act out of pocket.  But I don't really think this is affecting her as much as people think.  She made over $6.5 million this year and that includes the $350,000 she got just for making it into the Grand Slam.

 For the full story click here.

Walmart Shopper Slaps Child

Roger Stephens while shopping at the Georgia Stone Mountain Walmart Store, apparently became so annoyed over a crying child that he allegedly slapped the 2-year old girl several times in the face.  Sonya Matthews, the child's mother, said Stephens had threatened that if she couldn't quiet her daughter, he would do it for her.

Paige Matthews, the 2-year old victim wasn't injured and received treatment at the location, while 61-year old Stephens on the other hand, is being held at the Gwinnett County Detention Center without bond.  For more on the story click here.

Nothing seems to amaze me anymore.  I can't even begin to imagine how I would react to someone smacking my child right in my face.  Yes, there are some kids that you envision yourself disciplining when its obvious their parents lack that apparent skill; but its all just that, your imagination and nothing more.  I can only shake my head at this foolishness and hope that little girl is alright. 

What a damn fool.

Saying Goodbye...

As weird as it may sound, Michael's memorial reminds me of 9/11. The unity and love that seems like a thin hazy blanket covering every Michael Jackson fan, young and old, is reminiscent of those troubled times after the dust had settled and the towers had fallen.  Michael managed in death what he was unable to do in the past two decades; touch the hearts and memories of those fans he had thought to be forever lost.

It was so beautiful to see him being celebrated for the priceless gift he was.  I just truly hope he's finally found the peace that always seemed to evade him throughout his amazing life.

I Heart Hollywood Project - Interview

We've all heard the 'rags to riches' stories of some of Hollywood's elite.  They were once poor and on a whim they went to LA where they landed an acting gig and their lives have never been the same since.  But if it were all that simple, we'd all be loading our cars or booking one way flights to Cali.  If you've ever wondered what it's like to try to make your way up in Hollywood, then you may want to check out The I Heart Hollywood Project.

IHHP was created by Mashari Laila Bain and Ci Ci Foster, to document the lives of real life actresses.  We were lucky enough to have them reach out to our viewers and explain exactly what the project is all about.

Watch Where You Eat

Two North Carolina Domino's employees were recently fired for posting a nasty video on youtube where one employee put cheese in his nose then on the sandwich, farted on the food, wiped his butt with a dirty sponge and then had the nerve to wash the pan with it!  Domino's has stated that they will be seeking criminal charges against them both. 

In an official statement released by the Domino's  PR team, the employees said that the video was just a prank and that the food was never sent out to customers; (I highly doubt that) and what about the pan that was washed with that sponge??? I am disgusted beyond words and will be thinking twice before eating at certain places.

  "We are shocked, appalled, disgusted and angry about the behavior of these two errant individuals. Their display does not reflect the attitudes and behaviors of 125,000 hard-working men and women across the country and in 60 countries around the world. While they work for an independent - and innocent  franchise owner in North Carolina, we expect their employment to be terminated and we are reviewing our legal options as well."

Domino's Vice President of Communications Tim McIntyre said the franchise owner of the Conover Domino's is innocent.

Source

Is College a Rip Off?

With the cost of College on the rise and debt burdens dramatically increasing, this report really had some eye opening statistics to think about. Now I personally feel that it is better to have a college education. But I'm also aware that the type of degree also plays a major role in finding a successful (lucrative) career after graduation that will make the cost of the degree worthwhile. It's common knowledge that doctors, engineers and lawyers are at the top of the academic 'food chain;' but obviously those types of fields are not easy to pursue and the schooling involved is just not for everyone.

Again, I am a firm believer and advocate of higher education. After all, "its better to have and not need then to need and not have." But I do see some truth in the video and it is definitely food for thought for a lot of people out there.

HUD Trying to Eliminate Down Payment Assistance Programs

On June 16, 2008, The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) proposed a rule to eliminate all Private Down payment Assistance Programs (DPA).  This will severely threaten the opportunity for low to moderate income families to access programs such as these that help them with the financial resources many of them need to get a down payment.  Two of the biggest DPA programs, Nehemiah and Ameridream are doing all they can to raise public awareness of the issue.

This is not the first time that HUD has tried to eliminate DPA's, however, due to the current mortgage crisis poorly educated first-time home-buyers are being partially blamed for the housing situation.  Unfortunately this poses a problem for many individuals and families who are credit worthy, but simply lack the necessary savings that are needed to fulfill their goal of homeownership.  For that reason please tell HUD that you support homeownership and that they need to find a way to keep programs such as Nehemiah and Ameridream running, so that owning a home can be a reality for thousands of hardworking individuals and families.

All comments opposing the rule need to be submitted before August 15, 2008.  With a little less then a month remaining in which to respond, we are urging that you pass this call to action along to your family and friends.  Chances are that one or more of them are recipients of, or, know someone who has benefited from a DPA.  Doing this will only take a few minutes out of your day, but will be a benefit to thousands.

Please visit www.supporthomeownership.com and The Nehemiah Alert Page to make your voice heard.

Thank you!

 

Michael Jackson in Foreclosure

Michael Jackson is facing the foreclosure of his Neverland Ranch in California.  The Former 'King of Pop', will lose the ranch unless pays the estimated $25.4 million owed on the property by March 19.  MSNBC reports that Jackson has been made aware of the situation in a five page filing explaining his deed of trust default. A copy of the five page filing can be found here.

Jackson not only faces losing the 2,800 acre ranch, but pretty much everything in it.  I'm sure there are still a lot of fans out there hoping and wishing that the former pop star will be able to get out of this one...Sorry folks, but he's leveraged up to his eyeballs nor does he really do anything besides hibernate, to fill his empty coffers.  He doesn't go on tour, his 'special addition Thriller album' basically flopped and he doesn't even make an effort to connect to his loyal, devoted and delusional fans.  I can only shake my head a this one.

If you want the full story click -->'King of Pop'

16 Year-Old Shot Because of Snowball

The Philly community is saddened and shocked by the senseless and tragic death of Tavin Rutledge Wilson.  Tavin was shot at point-blank-range in the head because of an errant snowball.  Authorities report that Tavin and a 13 year-old relative were having a friendly snowball fight when allegedly a snowball hit a man nearby.

Words were exchanged and the alleged shooter threatened that he was leaving to get his gun and that the teens had better not be there when he returned.  When the gunman returned,  Tavin was sitting on the step and told the man that "he was not going to fight him so if he wanted to shoot him, he could go ahead and shoot him."  That is when the shooter allegedly pulled out his gun and shot Tavin at point blank range and fled the scene.  Tavin was rushed to Temple hospital where he was taken of Life Support at 11:34 A.M. Monday Morning, surrounded by his family.

Last year Philadelphia's murder and crime rate rose to astronomical proportions;  They averaged one person killed and at least four shot a day.  The murders from this weekend brought the death toll up to 43 and we are only at the end of February.  Philly its time to take your city back.  It's hard to imagine that the city of "brotherly love" has spiraled so out of control in so short a time.

Our prayers and condolences go out to Tavin's family.

For the full story click here.