The Inaugural Post Along with most I awoke inspired and ready for the proceedings to begin. There was some mild nervousness prior to him appearing from the White House steps, though with just one sight of him in that relaxed mode that only he can pull-off, all of my pangs were reassured. I knew the whole world was watching this, proud of a feat that means something more than race or politics. To me, it meant that the era of superficial grading (for inclusion or exclusion) based on heritage and wealth is becoming less important. I come from a religiously devout, but still mildly political family. A family where discussions range from everything football to the political scene on the local national and world levels. I remember how on one side of the room Nixon was being called a 'fascist', and in front the tv my uncles were screaming and the women were cheering. I'm not so sure of Obama's abilities beyond inspirational speeches and gently arguing his well thought opinion, but my hope is that Barrack keeps his wit, and uses his people well. He's got a great team, some not as good as others, but solid. He's got some tricky players in Clinton and Biden and Axlerod, so I hope he watches them closely, otherwise I thinks he's off to a great start. I send he and his beautiful wife, and their sweet girls my best wishes. -V

Compensation for Michelle Obama? The woman in question is an Ivy League-educated lawyer who commanded a substantial salary as an executive in the University of Chicago hospital system. But much of what we're reading, viewing and hearing tries to predict which former first lady she'll most be like, as if these women, of widely varying backgrounds and experiences, constitute the universe of options for the newest to join their group. An example of coverage falling short would be a Dec. 16, 2008, story on the "NBC Nightly News," reported by Andrea Mitchell, herself half of a Washington power couple that includes her husband, Alan Greenspan, the former Federal Reserve chairman. The topic: Should first ladies receive a salary? Given that Michelle Obama is obliged to give up her career because of inevitable conflicts were she to be a salaried employee in any organization outside the White House, this is an important question now and going forward, when we can assume that future first ladies also will be women of professional achievement. What followed was a video retrospective of recent first ladies that offered glimpses of them in social, diplomatic and cause-related roles. Mitchell asked only two sources -- historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and Lisa Caputo, former press secretary to Hillary Clinton -- if the position should be salaried. Caputo said no, because it's not an elected position. Goodwin said that while the first lady's contributions deserve to be valued, the fact that they are not "is part, unfortunately, of women's work being devalued." Goodwin got to develop this more fully in a companion piece on the "Nightly News" Web site, but viewers of the newscast didn't see that. Then it was on to a clip of Hollywood dance duo Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, with Mitchell noting that Rogers did everything Astaire did except backwards and in high heels. This is a well-known cliche that implies that women doing the same work as men have often been shortchanged, but does it even make sense when asking about compensation for the U.S. president's spouse? source source

Dwayne Wade's divorce from his wife Siohvaughn took a public turn for the worse when she requested in court documents to receive a list of sexual partners during their marriage. She also says that he basically wasted tons of money, and abandoned her and her children. I feel for her deeply. He was dead wrong, and I am glad that he has been confronted. But to what degree will spouses go to embarrass one another in divorce proceedings. Maybe I'm too private, and maybe I conceal when I shouldn't, but I'm not laying all of my business out for onlookers entertainment. I'm not going that far. I'm not parading around bitter for my life's choices. I had an awful transition from high school to womanhood, and I wouldn't point one finger if anyone chose to leave me alone. Men like D Wade have half-naked scandalous money-hungry women just waiting for him to choose so they can have just a chance at smelling a million dollars. What an opponent! Doubt never entered my mind when I thought about this at length.....Cookie doesn't have HIV because she had to protect herself. I am sure she and magic are still intimate for that very reason. In the spirit of good health I wish for everyone to protect themselves. They say they love you, but telling the one you love that you were, not only unfaithful, but unprotected - is hard. A moment of silence for the sisters out there holding the home front down while their men are out there doing the deed unprotected. Something has got to give.

Our President Bush and his wife are moving to Dallas to this really nice swanky neighborhood called Preston hills. It's a beautiful spot, but could I ever live there? Doubt it. I went researching and found some other homes that are exquisite, saying the least. I started thinking............I have got to get my mind focused about how I want to live. Yeah, I am living at an average level now, but I really need to kick it up. Then I received this prayer in my inbox:

I will trust each step in my life will fulfill my dreams. I will go above and beyond to spend the time and energy needed to make my life secure. I will live responsibly and untangle my heart from making bad financial, emotional and physical decisions Amen.

Sealt the deal. lol! Now, as far as the Bush's: They definitely got a sweet deal, especially that Laura......almost as good as Kelly Rowland (that's another topic in itself). But to do the things that I have concluded that he has, like what I read in the 911 report, then Hurricane Katrina and his response to what was happening in New Orleans, and then get a home like this: we were all hustled, and he should be punished. On the other hand, Barack Obama will be sworn in on Monday. Can't you just imagine Michelle and Barack brushing all the bush's toiletries into a box and replacing them with some Flori Roberts, Jeane Matte, Blue Star ointment, and Cool Water?

HauteNtaughtVenus

Over a year ago, my husband Kevin told me to look up Hottentot Venus. Being built similarly, the story hurt deeply. So, now in 2009, when I began looking for a name for my blog, I didn’t want to choose just any ol’ thing like SupaDoopaTrunkRattla, or SecretlyCraving713. I’ve grown in recent years and I wanted a name for the ages! Something New! Different! Something to reflect me in this particular stage in my life. Now we have Saartjie, and then me, and the connection, physically, is undeniable. But what is wrong is wrong, and she was hustled. That – I won’t. So to describe me as both proud and intelligent, and to pay homage to sisters that knew no other way, HauteNtaughtVenus was born.