The Perils of Being A Devil

Hello readers. It's March and you know what that means, it's March Madness. Ah yes, March Madness, that time of year when die hard college basketball fans and bracket enthusiasts lose hair as they root for their team. I can speak for myself when I say that if I were to comb my hair, there would be clumps that would be on comb as I root for my beloved Duke Blue Devils to win yet another national title. Tonight, the Blue Devils played against LeHigh and sadly, yes very sadly, they lost against LeHigh. Frankly, I do not care to finish their school's name.

My Blue Devils looked shaky coming out of the gate and I knew then that things would not bode well for them. LeHigh on the other hand, came out of the gate swinging. They had nothing to lose and yet played like defending champions. I couldn't believe my eyes and couldn't begin to wrap my head around what was happening. I had to and quickly because not a single care was given to Duke and their accomplishments. Back and forth and back and forth the match went and after the close of the 1st half, Duke led 30 - 28. I thought maybe, just maybe, my school had found its form. I'll briefly run through the 2nd half.

The 2nd half was upon us and there was no slowing this team down. All the clapping and cheering in the world couldn't buy Duke a vowel and LeHigh was out for blood. I'll save you all the trouble and just get to it, #15 seed LeHigh beat #2 Duke 75 -70 and has advanced to the next round. My heart is heavy and I want to crawl under a rock and hide but after all the heckling and nonsense I tweeted, I must give credit where credit is due. Therefore, congratulations LeHigh. You guys played tough and kept steadfast.

Now readers, don't get it twisted, I'm still a tad bit angry but at the end of the day, it's just a game, and just a team. I will always bleed Duke blue and it's on the next one & on to baseball season.

XOXO,
Whitney

A Special Valentine's Day Message Just For You :)

Happy Valentine's Day readers! I thought that I'd use this space to grant each and every one of you some well wishes and the chance to spread some love. I've been truly blessed with the ability to love and to be loved back so rather than share in the cynicism that many will display, I decided to take a different route. I don't want to spend much time delving into the all too familiar "singles vs. taken" battle because it's time consuming and everyone has their reasons for adorning and/or disliking today. But, I will say that no matter what your relationship status is, I truly hope that you find some time today to smile. For as "commercial" and "phony" as this day may be for some, to others, it's everything. So, this is my request: If you can help it, please don't rain on someone else's parade because you haven't properly healed from your wounds. Don't be tempted to entertain cynicism because it'll be the popular theme for many bitter people today. Conan O'Brien put it best during his final NY show when he said, "I don't like cynical people. This is life and not everything works out. Sometimes, you don't get everything you want".  If you can't resist the urge to stay silent and must vent, try to keep it away from me because I want to enjoy my day. I want to enjoy what the universe has given me: a past to grow from & a bright future to look forward to :)

Happy Valentine's Day once again my darlings!

XOXO,
Whitney

Whitney Didn't Know Her Own Strength

Hello readers. I know this post is long overdue but I'm glad that I've decided to write it. On Saturday, Whitney Houston passed away. I wanted to start out with this video because I truly feel that whenever you're on the verge of crumbling and ready to throw it all away, there has to be something inside of you that smacks you, shakes you, and doesn't allow to break. As Ms. Houston said "your life wasn't built to break". In her recent comeback, she proved that she didn't break but sadly, this woman who graced the world with her powerful vocals has journeyed home and has journeyed to peace.

There is no denying that the world is sad. We see the evidence in the 24 hour news coverage and the multitude of tributes in her honor. I feel especially sad because in my 23 years of existence, I was always reminded that I was named after her because of my father's love for her. Ms. Houston was the celebrity love of his life & when he found out he was having a girl, he grappled between two names but he eventually named me Whitney and gave me the middle name of his mother. I've never had any qualms with this decision because to be named after such a regal icon was incredible. Throughout her troubled years, I was still proud to bear the name "Whitney".  There was no shame in that game. I pray for her family who must find the light in such a dark time. Death isn't easy to handle so while we can't literally lend a hand and/or a  hug, our support will be more than welcomed. As I continue with the tradition of tributes, I leave you with some more  of my favorite Whitney songs that always left me speechless and hitting the relay button. I wish I could post them all but in the spirit of being concise, I'll leave you with a few from my library:









XOXO,
Whitney

We Came Back & Shot A 3!

Readers! I write to you with much excitement when I say that tonight's "Rivalry Week" match-up between the Duke Blue Devils and the UNC Tar Heels was one for the ages. Fans from both schools were laced with so many emotions and they gathered in the Dean Dome to watch this historic event. After the many shenanigans that took place with the Blue Devils, with nearly 2 minutes on the clock, a HUGE blunder from Tyler Zeller, and a miraculous play from Austin Rivers, WE WON THE GAME 85-84. Where to even begin?

In the first half, Duke dominated and kept Harrison Barnes and his shooting down to nothing. It seemed as if we would run away with the game but all of a sudden, right before the half closed, UNC found their stride and the Zeller/Barnes dynamic force came into action. With 38 seconds left on the clock before halftime, Duke somehow forgot where they were and who they were and allowed UNC to come back and take the lead. That's right readers, they allowed UNC to take the lead while they danced their way into the locker room. I knew right then and there that it wouldn't bode well for my team or my sanity at that point. Let's go to the 2nd half.

After turning back and forth between Law and Order: SVU and the game, the lead kept increasing and increasing as my hope kept falling and falling. At one point, UNC was up by 12 points with nearly 10 minutes to go in the game. I kept praying, cursing, praying some more, and doing some more cursing, and finally decided to cut the antics out and watch. I guess it worked because Duke began to cut their lead down to 7 and once the lead was cut down by 4, UNC leading 82-78, I started to get crazy. When the lead was cut down to 2, 82-80, I knew the flood gates were opening. Things were getting real. Things got so real that when Kelly attempted to shoot a 3-pointer, Zeller helped him out and helped Duke gain 2 points. The score was 82-84. Zeller went to the free throw line and missed his 2nd shot, there was about 10 seconds left and I kept screaming to my boyfriend, "ALL WE NEED IS 3! ALL WE NEED IS 3!". My screaming prayers were answered and the freshman extraordinaire aka Doc Rivers' son aka Austin Rivers shot a 3! DUKE WON 85-84! I REPEAT, DUKE WON 85-84! Coach K's record as the GOAT is still intact!

Much respect and props goes out to UNC who really had us backed in a corner for the majority of the game. Their hustle is real but the better team won ;). Ahh, all is right in my world :)

XOXO,
Whitney

We're Back! Back In The NY Groove!

This is dedicated to the NY Giants who are Super Bowl 46 champions. I'm not going to get into logistics and give you a play- by-play because after witnessing a gut-wrenching and nail biter like that, my emotions are shot. Also, I'll let the die hard Giants fan write to their hearts' content. The New England Patriots played a helluva game but the hotter and better team won, 21-17 to be exact. Congrats NY and I'll see you all at the ticker tape parade. Let's occupy City Hall & Wall Street for the right reasons ;)

XOXO,
Whitney

Mob Wives Starts Off With A Big Big BANG!

Happy New Year readers! I hope you all ushered in 2012 with family, friends, and tons of excitement. I rang in the new year doing all three plus watching some marathons of my favorite shows in which one of them happened to be Mob Wives. The new season of Mob Wives aired tonight at 8 pm and I'm dedicating this post to my shot nerves and boiled blood because these women know how to rile up a crowd. I rarely blog about reality tv shows but tonight's episode was so good my fingers had to type something! Let's go through a little recap.

Last season, we left on a violent note as Karen Gravano and Drita D'Avanzo battled it out on a rooftop in an effort to bury their past which involves Drita allegedly dating and marrying Karen's ex Lee D'Avanzo while Karen and Lee were still an item. Sounds complicated right? It actually is. Fast forward a couple of months later, Drita and Karen are still feuding and leaving the remaining women in an uncomfortable position. Well, Renee Graziano isn't really focusing on this nonsense because she is preparing to go through extensive plastic surgery. She is working on her renewal and everything great it has to follow.

You know when that little voice in your head is telling you that you shouldn't do something but you decide to do it anyway? Renee had this voice but dismissed and went under the knife. After cutting out 35 pounds of fat from her body, she couldn't really handle the pain and after squirming when she should have been lying still, she ripped open the stitches from her back and had to be hospitalized. Her ordeal was nothing short of dramatic just like we like our girl ;). Nearly dying from a botched surgery, there are a few things that can make your life better and they are friends and family. She had that covered until Carla decided not to show up or even check in to see how she was feeling. The ever dramatic Renee was pissed and Carla is now on her "shit list".  Dealing with a disloyal friend and a near death experience, Renee decided to throw herself a party. Parties stocked with food and alcohol ALWAYS do the trick.

Everyone in Staten Island was invited to this shindig except for Carla and while Carla was ecstatic, she was worried because Drita and Karen would under the same roof. Days leading up the event, Drita texted Karen wanting to make up. At the advice of Karen's cousin and newest wife, Ramona Rizzo, Karen ignored Drita's pleas & decided that whatever happened that night would be left up to God. It's the night of the party and everything is set in place. Drita and Karen spot each other and do their best to stay in each other's respective corners. Here's where the confusing part occurs; Renee wants Karen and Drita to join her on stage. Um, did you not just break them up months ago? They're enemies...DUH!

Drita goes on the balcony with Karen and Ramona soon following. As the clock is winding down to 9, the episode is over but we do get a sneak peek and we see Ramona barking at Drita and Drita is trying her best to be cordial but you can only allow someone to yell at you before you snap......BOOOM! Drita socks Ramona busting the side of her lip open. Word to the wise, never stick your nose where it shouldn't be.

Thanks for reading and let's all buckle up for the wild ride that is sure to be this season!

XOXO,
Whitney

Let's Raise Some Hell in 2012

Readers! As 2011 gears for a close, I wonder what you all are doing, thinking, and feeling. There's always an array of emotions when having to say goodbye to people, things, and years. No matter what transpired during these past 12 months, let's all hope everyone is working towards a "new year, new me". Oh lord even writing that phrase made me roll my eyes because, let me have my moment to be a little bit cynical, I'm more of a person who'd rather walk the walk than talk the talk but because not everyone shares the same views as I do, I hope you all find much success with your whole "new me" endeavor. What I think we can all agree on is that 2012 will not start off like this:

TV Shows - Full Episode Video - Reality TV Shows

Can't you tell that I'm excited for Mob Wives to return? Although I love these 4 women and their complex stories, no one should be starting off 2012 by feuding. I guess we'll just have to watch to see why Karen and Drita are still beefing. Ok, that moment of digression is over, let's get back to the post at hand.

I don't know why I haven't been in the mood to do a "Top 10" post since Thanksgiving because I am surely a "make a list" person; I have lists in my head, my planner, and my computer. Writing a list wouldn't be right because frankly because all of my ten things can be summed up with a simple phrase "Thank You".

Thank you to everyone who has allowed this blog to shine and grow worldwide. Thank you to my family, boyfriend included, whose unwavering support has kept me afloat and sane. Many thanks to those who have been riding with me since high school and college because we shall keep riding until the wheels fall off.  Thanks to the economy for not bringing me down with it. I was employed this year and able to spread my message of financial success to teenagers and adults throughout the 5 boroughs. Thanks to the new people who've entered my life and have hung in for the long journey because things shall only get better.

I don't really see a need to drag this post on because who wants to continue reading when the last day of the year has to be celebrated in style? Y'all don't have to answer that. Happy New Year guys and let's raise some hell in 2012.

XOXO,
Whitney