2/16/13 B'Doc Day!

Hello readers. As the holiday season continues to roll on and the stresses of decorating and shopping are slowly sending you to asylum, take a little break and breathe. As you count to ten and repeat again, remember that this month is almost over and a new year is approaching. We all know 2013 will be jam-packed with new and exciting things on every front especially in the world of entertainment. From season premieres of some of our favorite shows to the Super Bowl, there's a lot to look forward to. To dig deeper into specifics, there's a plethora of things coming our way from Beyonce aka King Bey and one of them is her self-directed documentary airing on HBO. The buzz has been getting louder and louder and to keep the momentum high, I present to you a sneak peek of what's in store. Disclaimer: Video may cause excessive squealing, yelling, crying, and disturbed stares from onlookers. ENJOY!



XOXO,
Whitney

A Thanksgiving Message Just For You!

Hello readers. As you all continue your prepping for Thanksgiving with copious amounts of chopping and seasoning or memorizing the aisles of your favorite department store as Black Friday approaches, I wanted to take this time to wish you and your families a happy Thanksgiving. As I sit here and type, having just washed my hands of brown sugar, garlic, and onions, I wanted to relay this message to you. Now, normally I would do my famous "Top 10"list but this year, I've decided to keep it short and sweet & take in all of my blessings. Because I'm always counting, it doesn't seem as daunting to sit back and reflect. I'm thankful for the basic necessities that aid in my life running smoothly. Having adequate health, shelter, clothing, and the ability to spread my knowledge through teaching high school students is always at the top of my list but I'm also thankful for the friends and family who continue to be positive influences in my life. Their love and words of wisdom are just what I need to help me be better. 

I'd also like to thank you my faithful readers who I keep coming back to see what new and interesting things I have to say. Although my posts may be sporadic, sometimes I don't write from months on end, when I look at the "Pageviews" in the Stats section of Blogger, I am in awe that you all are fascinated and drawn into what I have to say. It means a lot and here's to many more months and years of blogging about sports and entertainment.

As I wrap up, I hope that you all enjoy this day and all it has to offer. No one should be a "Negative Nancy" on a day that celebrates blessings & altruism. "Positive Pollyism"(yes, it's a made up word) should be rampant today so stuff your faces & if you like the New York Jets like me, let's cheer them on :).

XOXO,
Whitney

Flirty 30, Anyone? Happy Birthday Robinson Cano!

Hi readers! After much needed rest, relaxation, and re-energinizing from the Yankees' postseason woes,  I am back and here to post tonight. What is this post for exactly? Oh come on, I know you've seen the title which means it's dedicated to everyone's favorite second baseman Robinson Cano. Let's put aside our anger and disappointment from his abysmal hitting in both the ALDS & ALCS and the ever heartbreaking HR Derby(oh we didn't forget about that) to focus on the fact that our guy is 30 years old today. Can you believe that in 2005 the then 23 year old Cano made his debut with the Yankees? Fast forward 7 years later, a WS championship ring, a Gold Glove, and countless other accolades and he is still a fan favorite. So, here's to Robinson whose only job today is that he celebrate, get cool guy wasted, and dance. Now, ladies, our only job today is to Facebook, tweet, and ogle this beautiful specimen. I'll get the party started with a few pictures:

XOXO,

Whitney

They Told Us Get 'Em & We Got 'Em ;)

Hello readers. It's been quite the busy September for me and while things are settling down, it's the for me to get back to what I love, writing for you guys. You know that feeling I get when I'm too emotional or excited to write? Well, it's returned tonight and for a good reason. After a long and arduous season comprised of injuries, slumps, and moments of almost giving up, I am more than proud to say that the New York Yankees are the American League East champions for the 17th time in 18 seasons. Try saying that 3x fast! Thanks to the monstrous bat of Robinson Cano & the sheer hunger of this team, we fans can sit back, look at other teams and say "you mad, bro?" Lol, ok ok, maybe we won't be saying that but we will be gloating. So, we know that the players are celebrating with the usual bevy of alcohol and us fans are trying to keep up but to truly summarize what an amazing 6 months it has been, I'll leave that up to Mariah Carey & Meek Mill. The Yankees have without a doubt have been "triumphant" :) :



Once again, congratulations to the New York Yankees! Fans, let's be sure to celebrate responsibly & here's to a baller postseason. We'll be damned if we don't walk away with jewelry!

XOXO,
Whitney

31 & Still Not Done ;) Happy Birthday Beyonce!

Hello readers. As many of you mentally, physically, and emotionally prepare for the new academic year, I want to take this time out to acknowledge your efforts towards education and thank you for pressing on. Whether you're starting high school, ending high school, starting college, or in your senior year of college, your dedication to enriching your brain is seen and appreciated. Thank you. Now, we come to the heart of this post. Today is Ms. Beyonce Giselle Knowles-Carter's 31st birthday and this mother, wife, sister, friend, mogul, and all around triple threat shows no signs of slowing down. I am proud to call myself a Beyonce fan and this diva has earned the right to kick up her Louboutins and celebrate. Here's to you Ms. Bey and here's to hoping you show out tonight in that freakum dress ;). Furthermore, here are some videos from her infamous B'Day album and a few others that will get you moving:












Once again, Happy Birthday Beyonce!

Also, don't forget to click the "Like" button for Writing With Whitney on Facebook. 

XOXO,
Whitney

Will Lance Survive This?

Hello readers. How have you all been? Hopefully well. Tonight was an off night for the New York Yankees but that didn't mean the world stopped. Today, after a long and grueling battle with the USADA(United States Anti-Doping Agency), Lance Armstrong has decided to cease fighting to vindicate his name and honor amid doping allegations. As a result of his actions, heavy sanctions have been placed upon him. Armstrong, whom many deem as the ultimate "comeback kid", is in jeopardy of losing all 7 Tour de France titles and a permanent ban from the sport of cycling. As I sit wrap my head around this, I'll leave you all with Lance Armstrong's personal statement via his website:

Lance Armstrong's Statement of August 23, 2012

AUSTIN, Texas - August 23rd, 2012 - There comes a point in every man's life when he has to say, "Enough is enough." For me, that time is now. I have been dealing with claims that I cheated and had an unfair advantage in winning my seven Tours since 1999. Over the past three years, I have been subjected to a two-year federal criminal investigation followed by Travis Tygart's unconstitutional witch hunt. The toll this has taken on my family, and my work for our foundation and on me leads me to where I am today – finished with this nonsense.

I had hoped that a federal court would stop USADA’s charade. Although the court was sympathetic to my concerns and recognized the many improprieties and deficiencies in USADA’s motives, its conduct, and its process, the court ultimately decided that it could not intervene.

If I thought for one moment that by participating in USADA’s process, I could confront these allegations in a fair setting and – once and for all – put these charges to rest, I would jump at the chance. But I refuse to participate in a process that is so one-sided and unfair. Regardless of what Travis Tygart says, there is zero physical evidence to support his outlandish and heinous claims. The only physical evidence here is the hundreds of controls I have passed with flying colors. I made myself available around the clock and around the world. In-competition. Out of competition. Blood. Urine. Whatever they asked for I provided. What is the point of all this testing if, in the end, USADA will not stand by it?

From the beginning, however, this investigation has not been about learning the truth or cleaning up cycling, but about punishing me at all costs. I am a retired cyclist, yet USADA has lodged charges over 17 years old despite its own 8-year limitation. As respected organizations such as UCI and USA Cycling have made clear, USADA lacks jurisdiction even to bring these charges. The international bodies governing cycling have ordered USADA to stop, have given notice that no one should participate in USADA’s improper proceedings, and have made it clear the pronouncements by USADA that it has banned people for life or stripped them of their accomplishments are made without authority. And as many others, including USADA’s own arbitrators, have found, there is nothing even remotely fair about its process. USADA has broken the law, turned its back on its own rules, and stiff-armed those who have tried to persuade USADA to honor its obligations. At every turn, USADA has played the role of a bully, threatening everyone in its way and challenging the good faith of anyone who questions its motives or its methods, all at U.S. taxpayers’ expense. For the last two months, USADA has endlessly repeated the mantra that there should be a single set of rules, applicable to all, but they have arrogantly refused to practice what they preach. On top of all that, USADA has allegedly made deals with other riders that circumvent their own rules as long as they said I cheated. Many of those riders continue to race today.

The bottom line is I played by the rules that were put in place by the UCI, WADA and USADA when I raced. The idea that athletes can be convicted today without positive A and B samples, under the same rules and procedures that apply to athletes with positive tests, perverts the system and creates a process where any begrudged ex-teammate can open a USADA case out of spite or for personal gain or a cheating cyclist can cut a sweetheart deal for themselves. It’s an unfair approach, applied selectively, in opposition to all the rules. It’s just not right.

USADA cannot assert control of a professional international sport and attempt to strip my seven Tour de France titles. I know who won those seven Tours, my teammates know who won those seven Tours, and everyone I competed against knows who won those seven Tours. We all raced together. For three weeks over the same roads, the same mountains, and against all the weather and elements that we had to confront. There were no shortcuts, there was no special treatment. The same courses, the same rules. The toughest event in the world where the strongest man wins. Nobody can ever change that. Especially not Travis Tygart.

Today I turn the page. I will no longer address this issue, regardless of the circumstances. I will commit myself to the work I began before ever winning a single Tour de France title: serving people and families affected by cancer, especially those in underserved communities. This October, my Foundation will celebrate 15 years of service to cancer survivors and the milestone of raising nearly $500 million. We have a lot of work to do and I'm looking forward to an end to this pointless distraction. I have a responsibility to all those who have stepped forward to devote their time and energy to the cancer cause. I will not stop fighting for that mission. Going forward, I am going to devote myself to raising my five beautiful (and energetic) kids, fighting cancer, and attempting to be the fittest 40-year old on the planet.

I am rooting for you Lance and I am rooting for your silver lining because with all you've conquered, allegations should be a walk in the park ;)

Also, don't forget to click the "Like" button for Writing With Whitney on Facebook!

XOXO,

Whitney

Gold's So Nice, She Won It Twice :)

Hello readers. It's been a while since I've written a post and I'm here to make it up to you. We're all glued to our televisions and various internet links capturing great Olympic moments. From Michael Phelps effortlessly shattering records to the US Women's Gymnastics team tumbling to glory, there is so much to talk about. One thing that should be mentioned and honored is the amazing feat set by gymnast Gabrielle "Gabby" Douglas. Gabby broke ground by becoming the FIRST African American woman to win all-around gold. I have chills writing that because it seems so surreal. It's a proud moment and as a woman of color myself, I'm taking this feat and running with it!

Congratulations, Gabby! May greatness continue to be your path in life. May this victory enlighten young black women to step outside of their comfort zones and grab hold of uneven bars and create floor exercises in the hopes of winning gold too!

XOXO,
Whitney